In early August of this year tragedy struck in Maui, Hawaii when wildfires broke out across the city of Lahaina changing the community forever.

Around 2,200 different buildings and infrastructures were destroyed along with 97 lives taken in the fires. Locals are now left devastated, and left wondering what the next step is to gaining some normality back into their lives.

The outburst of the fires began on August 8 when a power line fell due to high winds, which sparked flames that quickly spread throughout the town. Thousands of homes and buildings burned to the and ground historical landmarks that meant a lot to the history of Lahaina are gone forever. The historical district and Front Street; two of the largest tourist attractions are gone forever.

“It is crazy to think that I was just there in paradise only a couple months ago, and that only a little while later all of that would be destroyed” said Kate Sunstrum, a Las Vegas resident who recently traveled to the island.

“We have lost everything but got out in time. We are in Kahului now and doing ok. This has been such a tragedy and we are devastated” said Fred Macfarland, a native of the island. Thousands of Maui locals are left with nothing, and have no clue as to when or if they will ever be able to build back what they lost.

“We are ok, handling things one thing at a time. It is all moving super slow, but it is moving” said Christy, another local to the island. Despite all the hardships and devastation surrounding the situation the community is more united than ever before. Hope is far from gone for the people on Maui, and they are working slowly to rehabilitate Lahaina, and make it somewhere they can recognize again.