Gene Castillo of Lahaina Asks for Help

Photographer Howard Boots McGhee posted on Facebook a photo showing the wildfire’s destruction in Lahaina: A line of burnt-up cars next to the waterfront.

McGhee is in Seacliff but Ted King, who lost his house in Wahikali and his business, Pacific Jet Sports, in Lahaina, has posted photos on Facebook of the destruction.

McGhee shared posts from the Maui tourism agency Maui Hawaii asking visitors who had planned trips to postpone but not cancel the trip. The reason is Maui business will need support and the majority of the island is still great to visit. Hotel rooms are being cleared to provide space for displaced Lahaina residents.

Owners of AirBnBs and VRBOs are

“Twin Lakes” from page 12

Pastor Rene Schlaepfer knows their senior pastor very well and he has preached there often. The church has already sent $15,000 initially to help with fire relief.

Here’s an excerpt from an email from Hope Chapel with some details:

“Our church body has mobilized to meet the tremendous need here on Mauithank you for being with us as we are the hands and feet of Jesus right now.

“We are holding onto the words of the Apostle Paul, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“The devastation in Lahaina is so tragic and hard to comprehend. The casualty numbers are increasing as search teams continue their work, and we grieve for those in our community who are learning that they have lost loved ones. We know many who have lost their homes and businesses. We are so grateful for all of our firefighters and emergency responders. The stories that are coming out are heartbreaking — we have a long road of physical, emotional, and spiritual care ahead of us. It will take years to rebuild physically, and much longer to care for the souls of all those affected.

“The outpouring of love and help these past few days has been incredible:

• We’ve sent many truckloads of donations over to Lahaina, as well as donations on boats, and we’re continuing to get more to Lahaina every day

• Our Kokua fund is set up for those in the community who need it most — immediate needs of supplies and money for groceries are being given out daily

• Hope Chapel Kids Ministry is going into asked to give people refunds, let them change the date of their visit and keep their homes open to the thousands in shelters.

“Castillo” page 16 shelters to set up craft tables and activities for children, and backpacks of school supplies are being packed and given out

• Teams are forming to visit shelters to give Bibles, pray, and counsel people who have been displaced

• Countless members are housing those who’ve been displaced

• We’re partnering with our local missions to help them do the work to minister to those in need

“Maui Rescue Mission has a shower unit and resources to help the homeless community that has now increased by the thousands.

“Vertical Sports, our sports ministry, is sending teams to spend time with the kids and youth at the shelters and run sports activities on site.

“Village of Hope ministers to foster kids. We are working with them to fill backpacks with essential items, toys and a Bible, to give to all the children and youth that have lost everything.

“We’re a Maui Food Bank collection center, ready to distribute food, and also partner with Feed My Sheep to distribute food and fresh produce.”

Here’s a link to a 5-minute interview Pastor Rene did with Pastor Ben Pragnell: https://youtu.be/BI6lvt-bRzk

If you would like to give, see https:// www.tlc.org/relief/ n

“Red Cross” from page 12

Red Cross disaster workers have opened shelters across Maui to provide refuge for thousands of residents and tourists displaced by wildfires that began Aug. 8 and were made more destructive by winds from Hurricane Dora. A video by Shane Treu shows a wooden power pole snapping, falling an igniting dry grass.

As of Aug 11, about 240 Red Crossers from Hawaii and across the U.S. are either preparing to leave, en route, or on the ground supporting those affected; 15 responders are from the Northern California Coastal Region, and more local volunteers remain on standby.

“My heart and soul are with the people of Maui. The unimaginable devastation tallied in lives, and property is beyond horrific,” said Megan Erk, a long-time Red Cross volunteer from Santa Cruz County and board member of the Central Coast Chapter, whose family lived in Lahaina part-time for many years.

“My family has deep connections with West Maui,” she said. “The waters off Maui were where our son Aleks learned to swim, and snorkel. The historic church in Lahaina where Aleks and thousands of other keiki (children) first danced the hula has been reduced to ashes. Everything is just gone.”

On this deployment, she has been tapped as assistant director of external relations.

“She added, “Please know that the entire team working on this response will lean in with everything we have to fulfill the mission of the American Red Cross. It is what we do, and who we are.”

Working with officials and disaster partners, Red Cross teams are providing evacuees with a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support. More help is on the way as disaster teams deploy from the other Hawaiian Islands and across the country.

“We’re doing what we do best: helping people in their time of need,” said Hanna Malak, CEO of the Northern California Coastal Region of the Red Cross. The death toll is expected to climb.

“Castillo” from page 14

Show that you have Aloha. As for hotels that aren’t giving refunds and not housing the displaced, Maui Hawaii suggests, “Give them hell! Most of these mega-resorts are owned by giant mainland corporations and they don’t feel the Aloha quite the same way we do.”

McGhee also reposted about GoFundMe drives to help individual residents.

“This is our friend Gene, that we personally know,” posted Kelly Saldavia Luizzi.

Here is his story:

“Aloha, my name is Gene Rey Castillo my family has lost our home and business in Lahaina, Maui we were not able to grab

As

The Los Angeles Times reported: “Records indicate that neither the state nor the county activated sirens ahead of the fire, though other systems were used, including messages broadcast to television stations, radios and cellphones. But with the power out and communications systems down, many residents reported receiving no alerts.”

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency spokesman Adam Weintraub told NPR that the siren system was not activated, but he did not explain why.

He emphasized that alerts were sent to cellphones and to TV and radio stations. On Twitter, some said the government prevented people from provided supplies to those in need because they were not FEMA-approved. People stood in long lines to get orange placards allowing them to drive. An officer announced with a loudspeaker that the placards were discontinued, and he didn’t know why.

Some compared $700 per household FEMA offered to Maui residents, about $1.9 million, to the $100 billion in aid the U.S. has sent to Ukraine to defend against the Russian invasion.

President Biden, who declared a national disaster on Aug. 10, is to visit on Aug. 21. n •••

How to Help

Make a donation: Financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

too much belongings as our neighborhood was severely burning. We are just asking if anyone would be willing to donate to help us with something little enough to continue to provide for my 8 year old daughter and my wife who is 4 months pregnant. I am self employed who ran a business under Lahaina Underground, my shop did not make it and my business was my only source of income. Please help my family. Anything helps. Thank you again and continue to pray for us and family’s in Lahaina.”

He is hoping to raise $20,000. So far, 199 people have contributed. n

•••

To help, go to https://gofund.me/b42b441c.