MAUI: Hope, Healing & Mixed Emotions on the Second Anniversary of the Wildfires
​By Sybil Nishioka

[August 14, 2025] Friday, August 8, 2025, marked the second anniversary of the deadly wildfires that ravaged Maui, decimating the town of Lahaina, and wreaking havoc in Kula and Kīhei. Like last year's one-year anniversary, special remembrance events were planned this year including another morning paddleout at Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park, a noon gathering at the County building in Wailuku, and a Memorial Tribute at the Lahaina Civic Center in the evening. 

Kalani Holokai, the Diocese's  Community Relations Coordinator for Maui, once again served as my "chauffer" and the best guide one could ask for.  She picked me up from my cousin's place in Kahului bright and early Friday morning, in anticiption of traffic heading to Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park for the paddleout. We made good time, and decided to stop at the site of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church first. ​

​It was a drastic change from my visit a year ago, and although I had seen photos of the property already cleared, there is nothing like seeing it in person. I had held onto images of partial concrete columns, rubble, ash, melted metal and debris. Now, the land was cleared of any building remnants except for a concrete slab and stone bird bath with benches. The view of the ocean was unobstructed and quite magnificent. The dismal ash had been replaced with gravel. Plants were already establishing themselves in unusual pockets around the lot. Kalani, who knows the property well in all its stages, pointed out the effects of the recent tsunami surge that created some erosion and damage to fencing.

​Current County maps show that the Holy Innocents property has a shoreline setback of 200 feet, cutting off more than half of the lot. Would that be enough to rebuild any structure? As we left, I didn't know quite how to feel. Although seeing the ruins last year was hard to swallow, there was at least a feeling of history still preserved within those fallen pieces. Now, with everything cleared, it felt as if Holy Innocents had somehow been erased... a feeling that could probably apply to much of Front Street. I am both anxious and curious to see what transpires in the years to come.

​We headed to the paddleout and arrived at the shuttle site about a half-hour before the start of the event. We were surprised to see a rather empty parking area, but grateful for the large air-conditioned bus that showed up. Lahaina's leeward sun was already starting to heat things up. The large bus was able to accommodate surfboards and other gear in its luggage compartments.

As we strolled through the familiar set up of tents and signs, making our way to the shoreline, I was hoping to see Diane Delos Reyes from Holy Innocents who had paddled out with her canoe team last year.  Markedly absent were the multitude of canoes and paddlers that lined the beach last year, and there was no sign of Diane. Although there were a few canoes dotting the beach, there were no paddlers near them. The crowd was much smaller. We later learned that organizers limited this year's participants to individuals on surfboards and swimmers with fins. This helped explained the absence of canoes and paddlers as well as the drop in numbers, but there were reportedly still close to a thousand in attendance.

The blowing of the pū and an emotional oli signaled the start of the ceremony.  With a high surf advisory in effect, folks made their way into the ocean battling a rough shorebreak, eventually reaching designated boats a few hundred yards from shore.  While attendance may have been smaller, the emotion, meaning, and beauty of the event were no less.

"Folks were just gathering to be together, trying to make sense of this grief they all carry and how to move through it," shared Kalani.

We finally caught up with Holy Innocents worship leader, Katy Shroder, her husband Bob, and a close friend of theirs who was visiting Maui. Katy, who had also met up with us at last year's paddleout, shared her thoughts about the difference a year makes. 

"Last year, there was still a heavy feeling, a sorrowful feeling," said Katy. "This year, it's definitely a more hopeful feeling. People are talking more about how Lahaina has changed instead of still saying how Lahaina used to be."

In addition to the flower drop from a helicopter, this year, there was a dove release from the beach. The swirling cloud of white wings circled the crowd quickly before dispersing inland to home. White doves are widely recognized as symbols of peace, but it has also been used to represent new beginnings and hope.

Lunch was hosted by several organizations and hotels, and we enjoyed teriyaki chicken, rice and vegetables. Pans piled with sweet watermelon were in abundance under the dining tent. The atmosphere was joyful with entertainment that included the beautiful voices of Na Leo Pilimehana. ​

Shortly after lunch, we headed to the Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center, where they were holding a periodic health fair. There I witnessed Kalani in action, doing what she does best; connecting with people and creating a network of providers and resources to serve those in need. Her warm personality and compassionate reputation within the Maui community is remarkable. (Pictured above at far left is Kalani with Amy Petersen who is in charge of the Health Center; the following photos are the different groups and organizations she works with on a regular basis.)

​Before heading back, we stopped at the Hale Aloha Cemetery of Holy Innocents which is a few blocks away from the church site. Like the church property, I had seen photos of the clean up that took place, but once again, I was blown away!  It was unrecognizable from the street. Last year, the gravesites were completely shrouded in plant overgrowth. The columbarium was barely visible from the road, and you would have never known there was a cemetery there. Now, the lot is cleared and all gravesites neat and tidy! This is in large part to the Rotary's "Malama Maui" effort that brought Rotarians from all over Hawai'i to help with projects on Maui, that included cleaning the cemetery, and a grant to help with the restoration.

As we left Lahaina, we drove through the neighborhoods where construction was actively taking place. Large homes were going up in some lots that barely looked big enough to fit them, but it was very encouraging to see progress being made. According to the County's Maui Recovers website, 468 building permits have been issued, 340 are being processed, 270 homes under construction, and 54 homes completed. We also passed by a few temporary home site "villages" where people and families are able to stay while waiting for their homes to be rebuilt. ​

On Saturday, I had a chance to catch up with folks from A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW), the Diocesan care-van ministry that serves most of Maui. Last year, I was fortunate to go on a run with them and witness the good work they do. At the time, the logistics and patrons had changed a lot due to the fires. John Hirashima, the driver for that Kihei run, explained that in the immediate aftermath of the fire, there were a lot of resources available to those in need, and regular patrons had either moved or found shelter. Once those resources ended, their numbers exploded. 

John's wife, Marilyn Hirashima, who has managed the supply room for ACCW for over a decade, said they received many cash donations after the fire and were able to supplement their supplies, but those funds have long been used up, and the demands almost impossible to meet. In 2023, they served 4,445, clients and in 2024, they served over 13,059, almost a 200% increase within a year!  

​ACCW's current President, Cathy Paxton Haines, said that they recently hired a Manager who was able to partner with the Maui Foodbank, greatly increasing their ability to provide food.  While all the Episcopal Churches on Maui actively support ACCW, other churches and organizations in the community have also stepped up, including the Kahului Hongwanji Mission, Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, and Kihei Lutheran.  They are in constant need of donations and volunteers. For more information and to learn how you can help, visit their website HERE.

---

On Sunday, Kalani and I worshiped with the good people of Holy Innocents at their temporary site in Napili. The Honolua United Methodist Church has graciously allowed them to worship there every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. for nearly two years, rent free! Although Holy Inocents has recently been reclassified as a preaching station (for canonical reasons) under the umbrella of Trinity By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, they are able to continue to hold Sunday services with two worship leaders, Katy Shroder and Leanna Roberts, and regular visits by supply clergy for Holy Eucharist.

After the service, we met with members at their "second service" (Starbucks fellowship) including two who lost their homes in the fire. Ralph Yanagawa is finally seeing some progress in getting his home rebuilt, but it has been a slow and arduous process of permits and contractors. Diane Delos Reyes is still at her friend's home, going through the process. They shared stories of unconscionable acts where people are being scammed and contractors making off with money.
​
The folks at Holy Innocents are hanging in there and moving forward, still grateful for all that they have, but keenly aware that the journey will be long.  Diane shared that during a gathering with folks from Episcopal Relief & Development, she was told that emotionally, the second year of recovery is usually the toughest, but that the third year gets better. She smiled and said she's looking forward to this third year.

---

OTHER EVENTS:

​​At the noon gathering at the Maui County building, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen proclaimed August 8, 2025, Lā Hoʻōla, Day of Healing. In attendance were first responders and political dignitaries including Governor John Green, M.D., Hawai'i's Congressional delegation of U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda. (Click HERE to read about it on the Maui Recovers website.)

The Evening Tribute held at the Lahaina Civic Center brought hundreds of community members together where they paid tribute to the lives lost through song, speeches and presentations. (Click HERE to read about the event on the Maui Recovers website.)

---

All photos by Sybil Nishioka