Fire~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, Psychological Self Care, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS

A suspected arsonist has been busy at The Holler.

Multiple fires have recently broken out in our extremely fire prone region that have been effectively fought and extinguished by our incredible fire fighters. We live in Southern California in a climate-change worsened rural fire zone under constant threat of fire.

A highly unusual hurricane is forecasted to bring significant rain to the region this weekend which will be a blessing if it arrives.

We flew from The Holler fires to West Maui two weeks ago with the whole family in tow including the four year old twins who are in love with the ocean. (Click to enlarge).

The fires came with hurricane winds on the second day.

Power, all forms of communication, and food quickly perished and were not replaceable. We were informed by our condo hosts that water may be turned off.

Information was word of mouth. We knew there were three fires on Maui and one on Hawaii. We knew they were very serious. We knew they were close. We saw and smelled the smoke, but we didn’t yet know the extent of the carnage and the heartbreak. It was an extremely confusing time. No clarity about where to go or what to do. There was no access to the internet/iphone or information to make decisions.

We were in condos for three days during the fires that were supplied with no flashlights, candles or emergency supplies. We stood, with hundreds of other souls (mostly tourists), in line for food much of which was packaged and distributed by volunteer organizations, including, but not limited to, a church group in Tennessee. Thank you Volunteer Organizations! You make an incredible difference.

Thousands of tourists clogged the airport trying to follow the governor’s edict to leave Maui. Many were evacuated to a convention center in Oahu.

We left West Maui on the fourth day of the fires which required us to drive by the historic and beautiful town of Lahaina. I took no photos. Lahaina is a mass fatality zone. Photos would have been invasive and disrespectful.

We relocated to another part of the island until flying home yesterday. I include here some photos of beautiful Kihei Maui which escaped the flames, but not the pain.

(Click to enlarge). Maui is strong but she needs our help. It truly does make a significant difference. We experienced this first hand when we received desperately needed food and flashlights. If you are able, here are some organizations that need help, or chose an organization that you know and trust:

https://www.mauinuistrong.info/support

Love and solidarity to the suffering people of Maui~

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398 thoughts on “Fire~”

  1. Yours is the only first-hand account I have read. I can imagine how confusing and disturbing it would be, to be on an island in a disaster. You may have already mentioned it, but had you been staying in Kihei when you had to leave? That is where my late husband and I stayed ten years ago. I well remember an afternoon and evening in Lahaina that we enjoyed, and it is hard to think about the lovely town being blackened and destroyed.

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    1. Yes. We relocated to Kihei. A wonderful women found us a place. I am so grateful to her. The whole situation is beyond terrible. There are still 1000 missing people in Lahaina დ

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    1. Thank you Barbara. It is horrible isn’t it. So much trauma, grief and loss. And now Canada has 885 currently burning fires. My mind is failing to comprehend the scope of all of this დ

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    1. 855 fires burning in Canada now. It is shocking and surreal. The hurricane that is blowing through here is supposed to bring rains to British Columbia. Seriously hoping it does დ

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  6. The Maui fires were so tragic, and it must have been very frightening to be there at that time. Lahaina is showing signs of life!
    I am concerned for you at the Holler! I pray the hurricane brings you much needed rain, and hold you and your whole area in the light.
    Alison

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    1. Thank you sincerely my friend. The numbers of missing in Maui are my biggest concern. The estimates seem to be 500-1000. This is a potentially catastrophic loss of human life დ

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  7. So glad you’re back home safe. And total respect for not taking pictures. The videos on the news were horrific. Every day there are new climate spurred events and the sinking feeling that not enough is being done. But yes, kudos to volunteer organizations everywhere who step in when most needed.

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    1. Thank you very much Rajani. Sincerely appreciated. I share your sinking feeling. There are daily climate catasrophes now. Hard for me to understand how anyone can maintain denial დ

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    1. Thank you John. I keep watching the numbers of missing in Maui and it is heartbreaking. We are getting heavy rain now and some intense wind gusts. Power just came back on and then there was a 5.1 earthquake. So we are now having a huriquake დ

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  9. Mary Sweeney

    Wow, Cindy! Glad to hear you and your family escaped the awful devastation in Maui. Praying for those families who lost loved ones and their homes. So sad. I’m sorry to see fire touched The Holler, too!

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    1. Thank you very much Mary. The tragedy in Maui is heartbreaking. So many families facing such devastating loss of family members and children. Thank you for your prayers and your concern დ

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  11. Every single year the fire kills California forests. It looks like there is nothing to burn there, but it happens again and again. As I understand and knew, not all of fires are provoked by people, however negligence and careless are the most reason of this disaster. It is horrible!
    The longer we live the more dangerous World become!!! Now you have hundred times to think before leaving the home for trip.
    Thanks God you are home and safe!

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    1. Yes. I am serioulsy reconsidering upcoming trips. One was to Canada in a month. But they don’t need tourists distracting resources from 855 currently burning fires. It is beyond terrible. I so appreciate your kind concern Alexander. Take very good care my friend დ

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      1. This year is lost for us. Many things happened and some still are waiting their turn. Living with hope of better days.
        Anyway, life is wonderful!
        Take care and all the best to you and yours❤️🙏

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  12. Angie K Walker

    Just as I’m reading this – there is an item on our radio about California rains. How shocking for you – stay safe . X

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  13. The fires in Hawaii are so tragic and the tragedy is in the loss of so many things starting with the loss of life and the loss of the history the loss of buildings and homes and everything connected with life on that island there’s a little for my understanding there’s a little left of it space and so much just absolute unmitigated loss I’m so sad that for her and so I don’t know what to say even just that I love him prayers to everyone there and I hope that all everyone survives that can and that people will be well and eventually back to normal and happy and the what about you your place and you hurricanes heavy rains and the earthquake and the thing that I wanted to move to California at one point all of this is really selling me against the idea hahaha take care coz and I love it to you

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    1. You are so kind and thoughtful Paul. I share your heartbreak about the tragedy in Maui. Thank you for your concern and your sensitivity. I hope you are safe & well cuz დ

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  14. I’m heartbroken about Maui, and the devastation in Lahaina. I have no words.
    Stay safe, Cindy – as if the fires at home and in Maui were not more than enough, you came back to a tropical storm & an earthquake. I hope the family is all well.

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  15. It is one thing for nature to unleash its force on the land and people but it is unforgiveable when humans create such devastation by their acts of wanton evil.. It is a tragedy beyond comprehension in Maui and also the fires in Canada at the moment. As always your photos tell a story Cindy and you have captured both the horrific power of unchecked fires and the beauty that it seeks to destroy. ♥

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  16. I’m so glad you were able to leave Maui, however, I am so sorry for the people there – especially Lahaina. Bless the hearts of the volunteers and the firefighters everywhere! I hope this reply finds you safe from the fires, flooding, and rumbling.

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  18. Thanks for sharing this well-written account of your personal experience, Cindy, and I am sorry you and all of Maui are going through the numerous stages of pain. I love Maui, such a beautiful place in the world. And I was a huge fan of Cheeseburgers in Paradise, now gone. Our hearts go out….

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  20. OMG, you were there… So sorry to hear your own experience, Cindy. Glad to know you and your family were safe! I saw the flood in S Calif on TV. Hope you are okay.

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  22. I’m sorry you had to go through that traumatic experience on Maui, Cindy, but I’m glad you and your family are safe.
    I hope the recent rain helped extinguish the fires near the Holler. It’s unfathomable that some of them are started by arsonists. Who are those people?

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    1. Thanks very much Tanja for your very thoughtful concern. Arsonists are destructive human beings. The rains has definitely helped at The Holler. We got quite a lot which is unheard of in late August. Take good care my friend & thank you დ

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  23. Omg, what timing. So glad you are home safe – so many others are not. God bless Maui and all its people for this horrendous dystopian disaster. <3

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  24. I’m so glad you and your family are home safe. The fire news is devastating. I sent a little to the Maui volunteers. Thank you for providing the links. They really do make such an incredible difference.

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  25. I am so glad that you and your family are safe! So sad about Maui and all the people who lost their lives or went missing. I’m sorry you and your family left the fires at home and then found more fire in Maui. We left S. California and are now in Denver early, because of the hurricane that was coming through. Fortunately no one was hurt and none of our property or land was ruined. I was told our area actually had minimal rain and wind. Again, I am so sorry you were without supplies and waiting in lines. My daughter is 4 so I’m thinking about your grandchildren and what an adjustment all of that was. Is all settled now? How are all of you? As you can imagine I didn’t expect to see a post about fires ☹️ Is the Holler safe from smoke now?

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    1. Your thoughtfulness is so very appreciated. Thank you very much. The twins are doing well. They thought we were camping by the beach, thank God. We are all safe and well. The hurricane brought needed rain, but things are heating up now. The fall colors are coming soon to Denver soon. So beautiful. Enjoy! Stay safe & well my friend დ

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      1. WP did not show your reply to me so I came back and read it because I figured it was here. I’m not sure why I am not getting the notifications. In any event, I’m glad that this wasn’t traumatic for the twins!! So glad you are all well & safe. We come back from Denver in the beginning of September so will miss the fall colors. Where are you headed next? It’s so nice to be traveling again. I also love vicariously traveling via your blog! 😃

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        1. WP gremlins are so frustrating. You have my full empathy. We were supposed to be heading to Canada in a month, but with all the fires, we cancelled. We do not want to get in the way or utilize needed resources. Enjoy your time in Colorado.

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  26. I am so sorry to hear about Fire in the Holler, Cindy. It seems that our entire world is on fire. We have been under smoke for several days in Vancouver, but that doesn’t compare to what is happening in the interior of British Columbia and the North West Territories. Thousands have had to flee homes across B.C. The 2023 wildfire season is our most destructive on record. In NWT as of today, there has been an estimated 3,282 square kilometers that have been burned and there are 239 active fires with new fires coming. We are praying for rain.

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    1. The situation in Canada with all the devastating fires feels apocalyptic. Canada is the last place I would have expected this to happen. Such devastating loss and destruction. I am so very sorry. It feels like much of the world is on fire. Stay safe Rebecca დ

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      1. Apocalyptic is the exact word that I would use. It seems that fires are increasing over the world. According to a recent report from World Weather Attribution, climate change played a significant role in Canada’s wildfires. SIGH.

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  28. Cindy, I’m so very sorry to hear of your distressing experience at such a terrible time in Hawaii. I also wanted to thank you so very much for all your beautiful and very much appreciated comments on my site. I cannot thank you there because it says everything I write is a “duplicate” – which it isn’t. Thank you so much for all your kind comments. Peace and blessings.

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    1. Peace, blessings and friendship flying back to you Sharon, along with sincere admiration for all the good you do my friend. I am so sorry The WP gremlins are bothering you. They never sleep! Stay safe & well დდ

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  29. Diane

    To quote Shakespeare: “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”

    The Tempest

    We must hold fast to what is precious.

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  30. What an awful experience Cindy – and so unfortunate that you and the children had their holiday ruined. But I’m pleased that you are all safe. One feels so helpless looking at all these disasters on the media these days.

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  31. Pingback: Reblog: Via Cindy Knoke #mauistrong – Things I find on the beach

  32. Oh my gosh … I can feel my heart racing while I read this… Im so glad you’ve made it out and your family is safe and sound. So many hugs, what a moment for you all and so many others.. I’ve been to Lahaina and have so many memories and photos of it at its best.. I pray for the restoration continues to bring healing and strength to everyone. I know it will rise even better .

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  37. Anonymous

    I feel terrible for you and the tourist and the locals. Why would someone do such a thing. I’m happy to know you are back home. Your shots are beautiful, thank you. Take care.

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  38. That must have been an anxious time, to say the least, especially when there was no official communication or internet, etc. Glad you were able to leave safely, and thank you for sharing photos of Hawaii that escaped the fire.

    So sad for those who live there and lost everything…

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