Jonny Varona and wife lose house and surf shop and in-laws' house

[CDAGRIZ]

I suppose my main point was that disaster response was lacking. There was no mobile service to notify anyone of anything. They are unable to restore power. Our hotel had one generator. In places like Montana or California that are used to wildfires, I’ve experienced much better disaster response. I’m also shocked that that amount of wind caused that much devastation. I’m not saying it wasn’t windy, but I would have expected the infrastructure to be able to withstand what it was. Just my thoughts based on being there.

It wasn’t the wind the caused the damage, it was the wind that fanned the flames, right? I saw video from a boat offshore that said the wind was 70 knots…(they were filming the fire, which hadn’t yet hit the town)…

The wind I was in blew down trees and power lines. I was under the assumption that the latter caused a lot of the flames in Lahaina, but honestly not sure. I’ll show you some video when/if we meet up at a tailgate this season.

 

[AZGrizFan]

It wasn’t the wind the caused the damage, it was the wind that fanned the flames, right? I saw video from a boat offshore that said the wind was 70 knots…(they were filming the fire, which hadn’t yet hit the town)…

The wind I was in blew down trees and power lines. I was under the assumption that the latter caused a lot of the flames in Lahaina, but honestly not sure. I’ll show you some video when/if we meet up at a tailgate this season.

I think you’re correct. I just saw there’s a class action lawsuit brewing because the power company didn’t turn off power prior to the storm and allowed live power lines to be downed…not sure if that’s a “sue-able” offense, but I’m sure there’s an attorney out there that’ll try it.

 

[mthoopsfan]

17 of 18 firefighters who live in Lahaina lost their homes.

I have tv video of interview of Jonny and his wife Aina being interviewed, but can’t get it posted.

Interesting short article.

https://nypost.com/2023/08/14/this-hidden-iphone-feature-literally-saved-lives-in-deadly-maui-fires/

 

[3-7-77]

Good article about life on Maui, or Hawaii in general. Illuminating. Underscores what posters on this site have said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66507019

 

[bigkid]

Good article. In a nut shell there are two types of tourists. Those who respect Hawaii and those who don't. Right now Maui needs time and Aloha. The island will slowly re open for Wailea, Makena, Paia. As they finally get some sort of "sanity" the bypass will open up for the Kapalua Napili, Kahului area but that may be a bit. The leadership has asked that nonessential people avoid West Maui. People need to realize that an entire job market has been lost as a result of the Lahaina fires and West Maui is hurting because of it but to not allow tourist to travel to South Maui and the east side would create further job issues. However they need to stay away from West Maui just out of sure respect. The amount of revenue Maui is going to lose will be enormous. Property taxes are coming due next week and with a total loss in Lahaina those collections will be severly impacted. Closing hospitality results in a loss of GET and transient tax revenue.
Thats going to add up fast. This whole thing is a total nightmare.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Good article. In a nut shell there are two types of tourists. Those who respect Hawaii and those who don't. Right now Maui needs time and Aloha. The island will slowly re open for Wailea, Makena, Paia. As they finally get some sort of "sanity" the bypass will open up for the Kapalua Napili, Kahului area but that may be a bit. The leadership has asked that nonessential people avoid West Maui. People need to realize that an entire job market has been lost as a result of the Lahaina fires and West Maui is hurting because of it but to not allow tourist to travel to South Maui and the east side would create further job issues. However they need to stay away from West Maui just out of sure respect. The amount of revenue Maui is going to lose will be enormous. Property taxes are coming due next week and with a total loss in Lahaina those collections will be severly impacted. Closing hospitality results in a loss of GET and transient tax revenue.
Thats going to add up fast. This whole thing is a total nightmare.

Regarding your first point, I witnessed it firsthand. I was speaking with a dude at the valet about whether he was able to get home the night before, etc. I wasn't trying to go anywhere at that point; I was just bored and curious about how the workers were dealing with stuff. He was telling me about how he tried to get around the north road until they closed it that day, so he slept in his truck for about an hour and came back to work in the morning. Just as he was finishing his story, a guy came up to him and asked if the tour he had booked was still going to happen. It blew my mind that he was worried about his TOUR in that moment.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Good article. In a nut shell there are two types of tourists. Those who respect Hawaii and those who don't. Right now Maui needs time and Aloha. The island will slowly re open for Wailea, Makena, Paia. As they finally get some sort of "sanity" the bypass will open up for the Kapalua Napili, Kahului area but that may be a bit. The leadership has asked that nonessential people avoid West Maui. People need to realize that an entire job market has been lost as a result of the Lahaina fires and West Maui is hurting because of it but to not allow tourist to travel to South Maui and the east side would create further job issues. However they need to stay away from West Maui just out of sure respect. The amount of revenue Maui is going to lose will be enormous. Property taxes are coming due next week and with a total loss in Lahaina those collections will be severly impacted. Closing hospitality results in a loss of GET and transient tax revenue.
Thats going to add up fast. This whole thing is a total nightmare.

Regarding your first point, I witnessed it firsthand. I was speaking with a dude at the valet about whether he was able to get home the night before, etc. I wasn't trying to go anywhere at that point; I was just bored and curious about how the workers were dealing with stuff. He was telling me about how he tried to get around the north road until they closed it that day, so he slept in his truck for about an hour and came back to work in the morning. Just as he was finishing his story, a guy came up to him and asked if the tour he had booked was still going to happen. It blew my mind that he was worried about his TOUR in that moment.

I watched a clip of a young resident from Lahaina and she was heartbroken watching tourists swim in the same ocean that claimed several lives just days prior. She felt that they were so out of touch with what locals are dealing with.

 

[EverettGriz]

Good article. In a nut shell there are two types of tourists. Those who respect Hawaii and those who don't. Right now Maui needs time and Aloha. The island will slowly re open for Wailea, Makena, Paia. As they finally get some sort of "sanity" the bypass will open up for the Kapalua Napili, Kahului area but that may be a bit. The leadership has asked that nonessential people avoid West Maui. People need to realize that an entire job market has been lost as a result of the Lahaina fires and West Maui is hurting because of it but to not allow tourist to travel to South Maui and the east side would create further job issues. However they need to stay away from West Maui just out of sure respect. The amount of revenue Maui is going to lose will be enormous. Property taxes are coming due next week and with a total loss in Lahaina those collections will be severly impacted. Closing hospitality results in a loss of GET and transient tax revenue.
Thats going to add up fast. This whole thing is a total nightmare.

Regarding your first point, I witnessed it firsthand. I was speaking with a dude at the valet about whether he was able to get home the night before, etc. I wasn't trying to go anywhere at that point; I was just bored and curious about how the workers were dealing with stuff. He was telling me about how he tried to get around the north road until they closed it that day, so he slept in his truck for about an hour and came back to work in the morning. Just as he was finishing his story, a guy came up to him and asked if the tour he had booked was still going to happen. It blew my mind that he was worried about his TOUR in that moment.

People suck.

And yes, I agree with Big. After a few months, we plan to go back to Maui and stay in Kihei and throw as much tip money as we can at any employee of any business we utilize. The Island is going to need the tourist money. But I promise we will be completely respectful of the enormous loss so many have suffered.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Regarding your first point, I witnessed it firsthand. I was speaking with a dude at the valet about whether he was able to get home the night before, etc. I wasn't trying to go anywhere at that point; I was just bored and curious about how the workers were dealing with stuff. He was telling me about how he tried to get around the north road until they closed it that day, so he slept in his truck for about an hour and came back to work in the morning. Just as he was finishing his story, a guy came up to him and asked if the tour he had booked was still going to happen. It blew my mind that he was worried about his TOUR in that moment.

People suck.

And yes, I agree with Big. After a few months, we plan to go back to Maui and stay in Kihei and throw as much tip money as we can at any employee of any business we utilize. The Island is going to need the tourist money. But I promise we will be completely respectful of the enormous loss so many have suffered.

I'm gonna go and while I'm there, dirty dick Oprah's door knobs...

 

[3-7-77]

The BBC article shown light on a festering boil. How long will it take for one of those entitled, mouthy tourons
to have their name added to the list of victims. Take a look at Maui's crime stats.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Good article. In a nut shell there are two types of tourists. Those who respect Hawaii and those who don't. Right now Maui needs time and Aloha. The island will slowly re open for Wailea, Makena, Paia. As they finally get some sort of "sanity" the bypass will open up for the Kapalua Napili, Kahului area but that may be a bit. The leadership has asked that nonessential people avoid West Maui. People need to realize that an entire job market has been lost as a result of the Lahaina fires and West Maui is hurting because of it but to not allow tourist to travel to South Maui and the east side would create further job issues. However they need to stay away from West Maui just out of sure respect. The amount of revenue Maui is going to lose will be enormous. Property taxes are coming due next week and with a total loss in Lahaina those collections will be severly impacted. Closing hospitality results in a loss of GET and transient tax revenue.
Thats going to add up fast. This whole thing is a total nightmare.

there are two types of tourists. And there are two types of Hawaiians. The very rich (Brad Pitt, Oprah, Ellen, etc. etc.) and the working class.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Aina is Jonny Varona's wife.

""The people that were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes -- 25 of our firefighters lost their homes," Bissen said Wednesday.

Now, some search crew members are working despite immense personal grief.
"Realize that the responders that are going out there are recovering their loved ones and members of their families," Pelletier said.

Maui firefighter Aina Kohler was on the front lines that day and stuck to her mission to save lives -- even as her house burned to the ground, she told CNN affiliate KITV. By the time flames reached her home, she said, firefighters had run out of water.

"That was honestly the most disheartening thing of my life. I felt the supply, and I'm like: It's limp. Just leaving a house to burn because we don't have enough water is like something I've never experienced before," she said.

Two of Kohler's fellow firefighters also lost their homes while battling the fires, she said.
"They watched their homes burn as they fought the fire for other homes in their neighborhood," Kohler said. "That hit really hard."

 

[3-7-77]

Wind seems to be the problem. Wind blows powerlines together, ZZZZT! Sparks fly, igniting tinder dry grass, and it's off to the races. Denton, MT experienced a similar event a couple years ago. Anyone who has lived in North Central Montana can attest to the F'ing wind. Known to blow railroad cars off the tracks near Maria's Pass. Perfect storm scenario for Maui, coupled, evidently, by bureaucratic incompetence in not 'releasing' water reserves to fight the initial fire. Not familiar with the specifics in this issue, but bears watching.

 

[3-7-77]

Update: Politics got in the way. Leftwing political appointee in charge of water reserves delayed releasing water to firefighters so cultural sensitivities could be addressed 'equitably.' In a word, 'WOKENESS'!!! Delay of FIVE HOURS!
Island burns down, but, hey it was for cultural equity. Those dead/injured/missing, those who lost everything, the future of the island paid a steep price for this stupidity. Fox is covering this, blowing the lid off this coverup. No need to take my word for it, research on your own. See who is and is not covering this.

 

[Cuervohola]

My prayers go out to the families of the fallen and for the healing and rebuilding to begin. I will soon post how I feel about this, as you all know I don't pull punches, but not on this thread.