“Approximately eight shops along Front Street, managed by Korean Americans, have been ravaged by fires, leaving the proprietors in a state of devastation,” said Nam-yong Kim, a representative of Maui Koryu Tourism. “Electricity has been completely cut off, and the Lahaina area is now restricted. Both tourists and residents unable to evacuate are being accommodated in local evacuation centers.”
The Maui Korean Community Association estimates that around 800 Koreans live in the island, with many engaged in the tourism industry or self-employment. Presently, Korean residents in Maui are actively sharing real-time updates about the damages and evacuation procedures through group chat rooms.
Maui, a beloved Hawaiian vacation destination, is currently grappling with its most severe wildfire on record. As of 6 p.m. on August 9, the blaze has prompted emergency evacuation orders for thousands of residents and tourists alike, resulting in six fatalities and 24 injuries.
On August 9, the state of Hawaii issued an emergency statement stating that a wildfire ignited around 4:50 a.m. on August 8 in Maui’s Kula area, rapidly expanding westward. A state of emergency has been declared for the Hawaiian Islands, and tourists are being advised to avoid traveling to Maui.
These wildfires have become some of the most destructive in history, erupting during the peak of the summer vacation season and school breaks. The extent of the damage has been particularly harsh in Kula, Kihei, and Lahaina, the heart of the island’s hotel industry.
Lahaina, a central area of Maui, has suffered extensive losses. The “front street,” once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a hotspot for tourists, has seen the virtual destruction of most of its shops, galleries, and restaurants due to the fire.
The island of Maui finds itself in disarray. The Kahului Airport is facing major disruptions as numerous tourists attempt to leave simultaneously, while closed gas stations compound the challenge of accessing transportation.
“Numerous power poles are down along the roadsides, and the power outage is preventing us from refueling our vehicles,” said Hwa-jeong Choi, president of Maui Lodge/Taxi/Tour. “Local residents, including Koreans, are grappling with confusion due to property damage.”
Jae-woo Lee, a business owner in the Honolulu area, expressed his concern. “Since hearing about the wildfires, I’ve been trying to reach my friends on Maui, but communication lines are severed.”
The South Korean government is collaborating with Korean-affiliated organizations and institutions to assess the extent of the damage. Consul Jung In-seok of the Consulate General in Honolulu explained, “We’ve activated a 24-hour emergency contact line and are providing real-time information about evacuation and traffic control on our website. On the ground, we’re working with the Maui Full Gospel Church to offer temporary shelters for affected Koreans.”
The Maui Full Gospel Church is actively providing direct aid to victims. Pastor Jungwan Seo shared, “Our church members are preparing sandwiches and water to assist around 100 evacuees. Although the full scale of the damage remains uncertain due to the affected areas being under lockdown, we’re doing our utmost to support affected residents who seek refuge in our church.”
Moreover, Maui is grappling with the repercussions of Hurricane Dora alongside the wildfires. The fires persist due to strong winds. The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a high wind warning for the entire Hawaiian Islands, prompting road closures and school shutdowns by the Maui County government to mitigate further damage.
In response, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who is Korean American, mobilized the Hawaii National Guard on behalf of Governor Josh Green (D), who is presently away. They will provide immediate assistance in the affected regions and request a Major Disaster Declaration within 36 hours.
President Joe Biden stated on August 9, “I have directed all available Federal assets on the Islands to aid in the response. The Department of Transportation is collaborating with commercial airlines to evacuate tourists from Maui, while the Department of the Interior and the United States Department of Agriculture stand ready to support post-fire recovery efforts.”
Meanwhile, Maui, a global vacation hotspot, hosts around 2.9 million tourists annually and generated approximately $5.7 billion in tourism revenue alone in 2022.
BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
