On the second anniversary of Maue Wildfire, the 102 people who died were awarded “paddle out” and a memorial service. The mayor of Lahina said, the wind raised its voice, urged us to keep going.
But more than 2,000 houses were destroyed, and the hopes of many people have been slow. It took a whole year to clean the debris, and the road is measured a new house at a time for recovery. The historic city is still closed to the public, and only 50 houses have been rebuilt.
Recovery, Hawaii Gove Josh Green says, begins with reconstruction.
“The highest priority people have to get their homes – and the houses mean mental health,” Green said.
Mental health has become its own crisis, deteriorating after the early year of shock. Two years after the wildfire, about half of the residents of Lahina show symptoms of depression and about 30% are suffering from moderately concerned according to a newly issued state-funded state-funded study.
“Many of us are still really in heavy shock,” Kiha Kana said, who helped save people jumping into the sea on August 8, 2023 to avoid flames. He learned after a few days that his father was one of the 102 people killed.
CBS News spoke to Kana for the first time last year.
“This put me in a scary area, where I would feel myself falling into the trap of suicidal thoughts,” Kana said at that time.
Today, he is still recovering a day in a day.
“I am not going to lie. It’s not an easy journey, but I think I need time. Like everything else, it needs time to get better,” Kana said.
His 2 -year -old daughter has been a guide light in recovery.
“Paternity – It was a blessing. And having my child around me inspired me to work hard, being a better father, to survive,” Kana said. “Fortunately, I was able to catch myself. I’m taking a lot of classes and taking help for myself.”
Asked if the anniversary is about forgetting what has happened or whatever has happened, Kana said, “It is a little bit for me for me. Forgetting is one of the parts of treatment, but at the same time it is – you have to find that peace within you.
In Lahina, Hope and mourning still walk on the same streets – what is lost each step ahead and what is worth saving.