Lahaina Wildfires Destroyed Kimberley's Home
Rebuilding Kimberley's life in Lahaina
International
In Kimberley's own words..."It's been 6 weeks since my life was tragically changed forever on Aug 8th. I'm one of the lucky ones who narrowly escaped the devastating wildfires. I was surrounded by thick black smoke, red embers and flaming palm trees as I was trying to get out of Lahaina. I thought I was going to die in my car. My brokedown car "Lucy" got me out safely. She has scorch marks on the side and the tires were almost flat the next day. I was supposed to buy a car the day after the fire, but the wad of cash that I was going to use is burned up.
I was lucky to have friends who took me in the first few days, and then my work, the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort, housed all our displaced employees for a couple of weeks. I now have a room at a Red Cross shelter at another resort until the end of October. The uncertainty about whether I'll have a place to stay from month to month is very stressful.
This whole experience has been very traumatic. I'm pretty sure I have PTSD. I panic every time I hear fire/police/ambulance sirens and I have anxiety when I drive because my car smells like smoke. Up until this past weekend I slept fully clothed with all my possessions in a bag by the door ready to evacuate immediately. It's just very sad and feels like a horrible dream that everything from my life of the last twenty years here on Maui is now a pile of ash.
I truly appreciate any assistance you can offer and I'm humbled by people's kindness and generosity so far. Much aloha."
Use of funds
Day-to-day essentials right now- clothes, food, gas. Future expenses - rent, furniture and home essentials. I will also need a new car or extensive repairs to the old one damaged in the fire.
Latest update
3 Months On... 28 October 2023
It's been 11 weeks since the Lahaina fires. There has been so much support and outreach to Kimberley. I want to give you all an update and express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your kindness and generosity.
A few positive things have happened - she just won the employee of the 3rd quarter for her work in running 'Kiwi's KORner' - the donation center at her work.
Kimberley has been living in a Red Cross shelter hotel and she just found out that it is been extended until the end of December.
One of her friends lent her their car for a month or so while they are on the mainland, so no more anxiety when driving.
Thankfully, Kimberley is working full-time. Tourists are returning in droves, but it's a double-edged sword. Many people don't WANT the tourists because they need to grieve, recover and rebuild but they NEED them to keep their jobs. It's hard to put on a smiley face and serve mai tais to tourists when you've lost your home, belongings and loved ones.
Arohanui,
Dianne
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