“it definitely takes you back to that and it makes me feel for the people that have been through that situation, because now i know first-hand what it feels like,” she said.
there is some hope they may be through the worst of it as the hurricane has moved on, allowing for better access by emergency crews and less wind stoking the flames.
‘it’s such a beautiful place’
former calgary herald columnist valerie fortney has been to lahaina a half-dozen times over the past 20 years and had planned to make another trip this winter with her husband.
to her, lahaina was much more than just a tourist destination. it was a historic cultural hub and a strong community.
places she frequented such as front street, the boardwalk along the beach, a 150-year-old banyan tree and a 200-year-old church were all reduced to rubble.
“it’s such a beautiful place,” said fortney. “they’ll rebuild, but it’s just gonna take so much time. i saw a lot of the videos of people trying to escape the flames and everything. it’s heartbreaking.”
the hall of historic waiola church in lahaina and nearby lahaina hongwanji mission are engulfed in flames along wainee street on tuesday, aug. 8, 2023, in lahaina, hawaii.
matthew thayer
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ap
calgarian reginald teneycke and his wife, lori, vacation in maui often. they were in lahaina on saturday for a luau, making the drive up from north kihei.
he noted the city’s history as one of the first major settlements on the island by whalers and as the first capital of the hawaii island kingdom. they visit for the art galleries and local artisans, and the shops and restaurants lining front street.