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My family and I tried to escape and found ourselves trapped in gridlock up in the Lahainaluna sub-division. It was chaos and bumper to bumper as we watched things fly around us and into cars and houses. The ambers of the fire where blown in every direction. We watched a house in the front of us start to burn. A cop car a few cars ahead turn on their lights to leave the rest of us in gridlock and chaos. My brother told my dad and I to turn around to go back to our house.

When I returned to my house no one new how to get out. Lahainaluna road was on fire blocking one of two ways out and the only escape route was Komomai Street. When I got the brief call from my sister in law that the fire department was telling them to leave she called to say the traffic was cleared. By the time I drove down Komomai street I came across MFD who stopped to ask if I could take an elderly woman who had 3 rd degree burns to the nearest first responder. My girls and I drove through fire to get out of Lahainaluna. All I could think about was if my car stalled, hit something, or became engulfed by the fires my kids and I would have burned. When we got out there was an officer directing traffic onto the dirt road, which most people are unfamiliar with.

I pulled up to him to let him know I had a burn victim in my car and the response was rude and heartless. Cars followed each other to find we went the wrong way and were trapped by boulders. Lucky I was able to turn around and head back towards Lahaina as I watched the black smoke head my way. I found the civic center and dropped the elderly lady Christine to get medical assistance. I took my babies to the Hyatt to meet with family. I lost communication with my parents, brothers and their family, and my husband. We could not find each other. I found my sister in law and family at the Hyatt. The Hyatt was generous to let our family stay in the hotel. That night the fire made it through Wahikuli and over towards Kaanapali.

We had left the Hyatt to go to the Napili shelter where I was reunited with my parents, older Brother, niece, and sister in law. While at the shelter many of our dear Lahaina friends and family were searching for family and friends who were not accounted for. My little brother was stuck in Launiopoko and husband was still missing. We went back to the Hyatt in hopes that my husband would show up. Phone service was spotty and hard to get voicemail, text, or calls. It was not until Thursday I was reunited with my husband. At that time we left Lahaina and headed to safety where my children had water, food, and Shelter. It is unknown as to if we will be able to return to Lahaina our home. Please help with whatever you can. We truly appreciate your generosity as we grieve and navigate through this disaster as we try to bring normalcy to our babies to allow them time to heal. Mahalo Nui Loa!