Pilina Relief - Day 20 - 3 weeks in
August 29, 2023
Aloha all,
It’s been 3 weeks since the terrible fires on Hawaii Island and Maui.
Someone donated 228 lbs. of fresh poi so we had some precious cargo amongst our other deliveries! We took a little time during our Kapalua airport visit to talk story with the Maui fire folks and volunteers. The folks who were brought in to manage the tower at the airport have come to the end of their contract. They mentioned that of all the disasters they’d been called in to assist with that Hawaii was really special. They said they have seen small towns pull together but there is something unique about the way Hawaii has united as a family. They were still baffled by the pronunciation of the Hawaiian words but they could feel the sincerity and love that people shared with each other. They said they felt aloha shared even in times of absolute tragedy. I was happy to hear that they were leaving with a feeling of warmth toward Hawaii.
I also spoke with the firemen about Lahaina town and what is happening there. They said that the EPA has begun the slow job of clearing the debris from town. It sounds like there will be multiple steps of clearing before residents will be safely allowed back. They also spoke about the bypass road around Lahaina. One of the firemen we’d seen quite often at the airport wasn’t around the last few days. It turns out he was rear-ended on the bypass. Not surprisingly, the stop lights aren’t working along the bypass. Apparently, there are flashing red lights that were placed at the side of the road. He’d stopped at the flashing lights but everyone on the bypass has been more focused on looking at the destruction of Lahaina rather than paying attention to the road and there have been quite a few car accidents on the bypass. The speed limit is 55mph so stopped traffic being rear-ended is pretty serious. Luckily, the fireman doesn’t seem to be seriously hurt but he’s got whiplash and will be out of work for a while. I feel like even being down 1 fireman is too many for Maui right now. So, if anyone reading this is going to be driving around Lahaina please be sure to pay attention to the road ahead and the people around you.
One of the other topics was about the people still unaccounted for. Apparently at Napili Park, which is one of the donation hubs we’ve been providing for, they have started taping photos of missing loved ones to a fence. It wasn’t clear as to whether people were putting the photos up in hopes that they’d be found or if it was intended to be a memorial. I’m presuming it’s likely both. In hearing the firemen discuss this fence line I had memories of the walls I saw when I was at 9/11 a month after it occurred. The church that had survived adjacent to the collapsed towers had a temporary fence erected around it. The fence was covered, head to toe, in photos of the missing. It tore me apart thinking that this park is covered with hundreds of tutus, children, brothers, aunties, mothers, and friends. What a heavy thought but I’m hoping maybe it’s a first step in healing for some.
How can you help?
1. You can help keep us general aviators and small aviation companies flying by making monetary donations to the Pilina Relief Fund page.
2. We have some updates to the request list:
Coconut water
Sunscreen
Can openers
5-gallon water bottles
Batteries of all kinds
Pots & Pans
Baby formula
Diapers (size 5 or bigger only, please. They have plenty of the smaller sizes)
Paradise Helicopters will be accepting donations of the above-named items. They are located at the Kona airport commuter terminal. If you aren’t on the big island please feel free to reach out to Mokulele, your local flight schools, or anyone around the airports. I’d bet they know how your generous donations can make their way to the donation hubs. And if you want to know what hubs our donations are going to, they are listed on the Pilina Relief page. Please direct anyone you know in West Maui who can use a little something to go to any of those hubs.
3. Feel free to patronize some of the amazing organizations who are collaborating with us to help: Paradise Helicopters offers amazing tours around most of the major Hawaii Islands, Mauna Loa Helicopter School for those of you who want to learn to hover, Tropicbird Flight Services (fixed wing - that’s airplanes for the non-aviation folks - flight school) where I did my training and Mokulele Airlines (our local island hopper, for those of you not in Hawaii). I’m happy to add Pacific Flight Academy in Honolulu to the list of collaborators. A big mahalo to some local restaurants who have donated pilot meals: Willies Hot Chicken and Taylored Meals. We already all love Punaluu Bake Shop goods but remember to pick up another loaf next time you’re at the market. Same with Lone Palm…I love their alfalfa sprouts on my salads and sandwiches. Grab yourself a bag to support this wonderful farm! Hawaii Farming (grab your keiki cukes next time you’re at Costco) and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council for always wanting to help feed Hawaii. And a continued mahalo to the Hawaii Food Basket for assisting us with the donation collection and for all of the wonderful work they do in feeding the people of Hawaii regardless of natural disasters!
Mahalo to you all for staying Hawaii Strong! Maui Strong! Lahaina Strong!
Dana