In 1978 I went with a friend and my 3 year old daughter from Portland, Oregon to Maui, Hawaii to spend a week at a friend’s condominium. Hawaii draws tourists from the West Coast of the United States in a way parallel to that of the Caribbean hosting visitors from the East Coast. At that time Maui had a population of around 60,000 in contrast to its recent count of 167,000. Maui was less frequently visited than Oahu(site of Honolulu) and was still fairly rural.
Lahaina served as the market town for the area and we bought fresh fruit there, amazed both at its abundance and its affordability. Imported food was expensive, but local produce delighted us for the week. Lahaina had a typical laid back beach town sense with casual seafood restaurants. We admired a huge banyan tree and learned of the missionary presence in the 1800’s. The town was authentically Hawaiian and not aiming to be something grander.
As fire destroyed the town this week I learned that it had changed into a real tourist attraction full of shops and people. I saw the photos of the devastation and grieved for the town. At the same time I realized that the Lahaina I remembered from years ago had been gone a long time. But as you can see in the color photo above, the banyan tree, scorched but alive, still stands.
Tourists are asked to stay away. The hotels may be a temporary way to house the residents. May the spirit of the Hawaiian people we experienced years ago carry them through as they grieve and rebuild.
Saved By Words 
Such a sad, sad thing to happen. My heart goes out to all the residents.
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We’ve been to Maui a couple times and remember the charming town of Lahaina, and huge Banyan tree. It’s been so hard to watch as fires have destroyed the town and other areas of the island. The residents of Hawaii have truly been in my heart and prayers.
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Ours too.
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Such tragic loss of life, and destruction of homes and livelihoods. I have never been to Hawaii, but always relished the idea of visiting one day.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It was lovely many years ago. If Maui is any indication it sounds pretty overrun.
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Desperate loss of life homes and livelihoods….one can only hope for people’s survival
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A horrifying way to lose one’s life it is now appearing.
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All too true
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Such a terrible tragedy, sadly just one of many !
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Yes.
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Such a monumental tragedy, and a lovely remembrance of the city you visited and remembered years ago. I dearly hope the banyan tree survives. Your last thought, the spirit of Hawaiian people you experienced, was just wonderful.
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Thank you.
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You are welcome.
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Hi Elizabeth, this is very sad to here. I hadn’t heard about this fire.
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I know you have climate problems of your own on your continent.
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So far, our summers have been cooler with more rain …
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Our water bill was very low this summer since it has rained so much. Usually it is quite high in the summer.
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💗
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A timely memory
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True.
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It is terrible. So much suffering and loss.
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Yes. And so fast.
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