It’s been almost a year since the devastating wildfire ripped through the Hawaiian town of Lahaina, killing at least 99 people, and destroying most of the Maui town.
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Capt. Jay Fujita, a Maui firefighter, led his crew as they fought against the intense flames. At one point, he came dangerously close to losing his life as fires engulfed him and his crew. Fujita had never seen anything like it before. Looking back, he says, “The sheer speed and the intensity of the heat were unimaginable. Homes and structures were igniting and burning as fast as wildland fires that we fight.”
Fujita and Maui Fire Dept. first responder Kawika Casco will be honored for their work at the Gold Gala. The A1 honor is given to individuals who have had the most impact within their respective industries. Special honors are also given to individuals or groups who have had a transformative impact on American culture and society through their careers and projects.
More than 2,000 structures were damaged or destroyed with 85% of that being residential damage, and 2,170 acres burned. According to FEMA, it will cost $5.52 billion to rebuild Lahaina.
Yet, nine months later, the news cycle has long since moved on. Up to 4,000 residents and first responders still live in hotels, un-housed by the fires. They move around on a weekly basis.
The timeline to rebuild is an uncertain one.
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“Lahaina looks like a war zone. It looks just like those videos you see of war-ravaged places on TV,” Fujita says.
He is still processing what he experienced. “I am doing fine. Even though I and seven others of my brothers almost paid the ultimate price in the fight to save Lahaina and one captain received severe burns, we did not lose our homes or loved ones.” Others were not so fortunate. As they were out there fighting the flames, members of the Maui Fire Dept. lost homes and loved ones. “I can- not imagine how hard it must have been not knowing if their homes were being impacted and if their family was OK all while fighting,” says Fujita.
The people of Lahaina still need financial help. The Hawaiian Islands Firefighters Foundation has been set up to collect funds for those first responders and their families who lost homes. Any and all aid is welcome.
The Gold House honor can keep the citizens of Maui foremost in the public eye and help the community rebuild. “This is the reason both Kawika and I agreed to receive this award and keep the people of Lahaina in everyone’s minds and hearts,” Fujita says.
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