I hope Matt & the others are all okay and that they are out of harms way.
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I was wondering this myself, after reading/watching the news. @mfellman?
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Hopefully Mike is Ok too
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Prayers for all of our Hawaii friends. Hope you are all safe.
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Thanks everyone!! I’m doing well. I’m on a different part of the island from Lahaina where the most devastating damage occurred. Still, we did have to evacuate on Tuesday night due to a fire creeping up towards the back of our neighborhood but it was very precautionary and we got back in Weds morning.
The reports from the town of Lahaina are heartbreaking to say the least. The word from the locals here is that the fatality numbers being reported by the news are not even close to what happened. Even though Hawaii is in the US there are a lot of things that operate like a third-world country. I’ve heard the government doesn’t want to scare all the would-be tourists since that’s really the only “product” we have here. “Official” fatality reports are up around 50 but I heard through friend that knows a search/rescue worker on the ground that they wouldn’t be surprised if it were 1000. AFAIK, the town of Lahaina is still closed to everyone and this worker says that’s because they are still fishing bodies out of the ocean and off of the streets. I really hope it’s not that bad but the pictures are hard to believe
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Glad to hear you’re alright Matt.
I hope the numbers aren’t that bad. 
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A former resident of the area just called in on Owen Shroyer’s show to report that after speaking with friends in the area the death toll is much higher than reported and that survivors are not receiving any aid. I can attest to similar observations here after Ian.
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Yeah, it’s tough to get aid up there since the road has been closed. Everyone is pretty much reliant on the government, Red Cross, etc. and we all know the limited ability of that type of thing. I just got word that someone from the restaurant I work at has a connection to a boat that is going up tomorrow and they are accepting donations to take directly there. I’ll be making a Costco run and am hoping to be able to help load, etc.
They did finally open the road today to let residents back in for a limited time but it’s complete gridlock. I was heading the opposite direction and it was a mess. And as if things aren’t bad enough, there was just a major accident on the highway and it had to be closed down. I’m not sure how a major accident was possible since no one was moving.
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Thank God you are still alive and functioning, thank you for your frontline report. We are praying for you and all your other residents.
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They could have had billions of dollars and every resource imaginable there in a matter of hours if they wanted to. Just look at how many bizillions of dollars have been sent to Ukraine (laundromat) and other BS “crisis” around the world in the last decades.
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Hey everyone - I haven’t read the recent posts but want to give a quick update as a resident: Of course, things are devastating, the death toll continues to rise and “word on the street” (and even in the news now) is that the total death toll could/will be around 1,000. At least that’s the unaccounted for at this point… Of course, I hope it’s far less but will undoubtedly be more than the <100 currently confirmed and being reported.
The pictures and videos that come in are beyond horrific and, even as a resident, I don’t think I’ve fully grasped the situation. Shelters down here in south Maui are full of 1000s of people/families that have literally lost everything.
Of course, there is no such thing as anything close to good news, but here is some slightly better news from things I’ve seen as a local (fwiw, I’ve barely watched/read the news so this is truly from what’s seen/reported on the streets) - The locals of all economic levels here are AMAZING. Costco and other store’s shelves are being ripped bare as all the residents/donors get supplies for Lahaina as well as the displaced people in the shelters in other areas. My biggest fear in the short/mid-term is a lack of supplies at the stores. I was working all day and not able to get to the stores but my wife and others report lots of activity and a lot of bare shelves. Food is one thing but there is just so much more - Lahaina has no power and no cell service so batteries, propane and camping supplies are at a premium. As are things not immediately thought about - diapers, baby food, children’s clothes, etc., etc.
I’m off work the next three days and have time, a minivan and money and am hoping to cover some ground to help out and have some good things lined up. I heard tonight that Matson (shipping company) is starting to make container runs up to Lahaina via semi-truck (I’m a bit disturbed that it’s taken this long). Also, there are lots of local businesses and folks willing and able to donate but actually moving product seems to be key. The shelters are fully staffed with awesome folks sorting donations and helping people staying there. Basically, A LOT is in action and being done. Residents and tourists on the island are amazing and doing a lot. I’ll report back soon.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!!
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That’s great that you are willing and able to help.
It’s horrible. We vacationed in Lahaina about 15 years ago, lots of memories made. Those pictures are complete devastation, and so hard to believe they couldn’t stop the fires!
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Ditto. I think it’s been about 25 years for me. Haven’t been back since, unfortunately. My one and only trip ever to Hawaii.
I picked up this Print, titled “Lahaina Broiler” as a souvenir of the trip. I don’t know if it was a “real” location or not, but wanted something other than the usual ‘tourist’ garbage to remember the ‘feel’ of the trip. This does that for me.
It is hung on my office wall near the lightswitch, so I see it everytime I enter/exit.
Now it carries even more sentiments.
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Glad to hear you’re alright, Matt.
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Nice! I always suspected the print was from the 70’s-80’s!
I had done a search years ago, and found nothing.
I was on a Hawaii related forum, and someone there hinted it may not exist and was the artists fantasy.
(Yeah, I know better than to trust the internet, but this was years ago)!
Thank you!
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Found the Facebook posting of the pic from 4 years ago (2019)…
Seemingly, there is some good that comes from FB!
One (of many) of the posts of interest from 1 year ago…
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Maybe you should reach out to that guy, tell him your story and send a pic of the print. Probably would make his day…
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Good idea, but I’ll wait a little while.
If he’s still in the area, he has better things to do than be bugged by a Minnesota Home Inspector with his old memories of the past.
Lotta people gonna time to heal over there.
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Pics from donation drop-off today. The people of Maui are amazing… I was at Costco loading up my cart today and everyone around me was doing the same thing. The amount of donations at the drop site is staggering to say the least.
Also, huge praise for Costco. I have no idea how in such a short amount of time on an island in the middle of the Pacific they managed to get their aisles overfilled with bottled water and it’s even on sale!!
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