From the embers

Like many folks, I’ve been glued to the news, watching the aftermath of the wildfires in Maui and their trail of death and destruction. The total dead have risen to more than 106 and is expected to continue to climb. One disaster assessment firm has estimated that the fire caused more than $3.2 billion in insured property losses.

As I’ve been watching the news, I’ve been thinking back on my wife and my trip to Oahu and Maui close to 28 years ago. We payed our respects at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, went snorkeling, ate at a traditional Polynesian luau, and hiked across the Oahu and Maui islands.

I wrote in the past about how my wife fell and dislocated her elbow while we were in Maui traveling on the Road to Hana. I had been staring off at the waterfalls and pools of water, while my wife writhed in pain on the ground. Yes, yes, not one of my best husband moments. 

I came away from the short trip mesmerized by the beauty of the islands and the kindness of the locals. Everyone stopped and asked about my wife’s arm, how she had hurt it, and offered their sympathies. I can’t stop but think about those people now as they start to dig out and recover. The Hawaii Community Foundation has set up a “Maui Strong Fund” to assist those affected by the fires.

Hawaii ironically celebrates its 64th Anniversary as a state this coming Monday. President Eisenhower signed the official proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.

This is a challenging time for Hawaii, but there’s nothing quite like its beauty and its perseverance. It will overcome. Here’s to a bright future and I can’t wait to return one day.

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32 thoughts on “From the embers”

  1. What beautiful photos and memories – writhing in pain and all. It’s very sad to see the devastation in Hawaii and to think of the individual and collective loss. As you noted, in time, it will emerge from the embers and persevere. 🙏

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  2. Thanks for sharing your memories of that beautiful place, Brian. I hope your wife’s arm healed nicely. It is difficult to see the destruction on TV, it makes me so sad yet the island will recover. They are Americans and will emerge from this strong. I remember seeing the Pearl Harbor monument when I was just 8 years young in 1968 on a family trip.

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  4. I did a Hawaiian cruise for my honeymoon and fell in love with the place. It is devastating news and I like to think they’ll find a way to overcome this horrible thing. I heard on the news that the vultures of real estate are already circling. Hopefully then can be blocked from taking away from the locals, who will find themselves desperate.

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      1. Impossible not to. I wish I had had a chance to do as a friend of mine did many times – hike all over. When you are on a cruise, you are limited to how much time you have to explore.
        I suspect you are right.

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      3. And then some. I am not one of those who will be sitting at home twiddling her thumbs wondering how to fill the days. As it is now, work is so in the way of what I want to do 😉

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  5. One of my college roommates lives two miles from Lahaina. I was hoping to visit her this year, but I think the last thing Maui needs now is visitors. I’m glad you have wonderful memories of hiking, in spite of your wife’s injury!

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  7. I’ve been thinking about Maui a lot lately Brian. Today I heard there were a lot of children left home alone that day because of the electrical outage, the schools closed, and parents left kids at home to go to work. It’s just incredibly sad and tragic. Thank you for sharing your memories. I too, hope to return someday. Hugs, C

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  8. Oh I agree with you 100% Brian. We were there for our honeymoon and when I wrote about it earlier this week, I felt like this hit my family, because while we were there we weren’t treated like tourists, but there was a kinship. I too believe they are resilient, judging from what the island has undergone in the past. You can’t help but look at the latest updates, because we are rooting for them so strongly. Thanks for sharing your “not the best husband moment” you shared with your wife. 🤣 That’s 28 years of broken arm reminders eh??? 🥰💪🏼😝 Cheers my friend! 🥂

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    1. Yes, it definitely feels like it hits closer to home. I’m hoping they’re able to come back. It’s such a shame. And yes, my wife’s fall wasn’t my best moment. I wrote about it recently. We were on the Road to Hana and got out of the car to look at a waterfall. My wife falls and is sprawled on the ground. Meanwhile, I’m ten feet ahead oohing and aching the scene. All the other tourists are helping her up and asking if she’s okay and I’m like “hey honey, look at this great shot!” I think I might have said something like “oh the pain can’t be too bad, just suck it up” before finding out that she had dislocated her elbow. Yes, yes, not my best husband moment. And yes, I’m still living that story down. 😝😝😝😝:) 🙂

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      1. Oh no Brian. 😱 I know it’s not funny, but you have such an impeccable way of telling a serious story with a twist of humor. I love it. 🤗 I guess you have to still tread lightly huh? Oh well, I guess it’s not a good time to remind her of that commercial where the senior lady says, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Bad timing? 😜 Just kidding. You certainly know how to tell a story my friend…dislocated elbow or not! 😁

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      2. Oh, we do laugh about it! Ya gotta laugh at life. Fortunately, they were able to set it there in Maui and fix it permanently when we got back home. We weren’t laughing at the time, but we laugh about it now. When I get a little full of myself, my wife likes to remind me of leaving her stranded. And thanks so much for the feedback. I don’t think of myself as much of a humor writer. I just try to tell a good story and have some fun doing it. Thank you though, very nice to hear!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

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      5. Awwww Brian, I can never think of anything myself when I need it. But I got your drift and I am sending you massive hugs in return for your generosity my friend. 😁 The weekend is here! 🌞💖😍 Enjoy.

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