Missionaries of Faith Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, pastor of Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui, Aug. 16 touches a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary which still stands amid foliage untouched by the wildfire that scorched trees across the street and destroyed the entire town of Lahaina. (Photo courtesy of Maria Lanakila Parish)
The Holy Father invokes upon all of Maui, Almighty God’s blessings of strength and peace
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Lahaina, once the capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom and later a popular tourist destination, will now forever be known as the town a horrific wildfire razed to the ground Aug. 8-9. The death toll, as of Aug. 28 was 115 and rising, as the search for the missing continues. Meanwhile, the Catholic community in West Maui and beyond has bonded through the tragedy, contributing aid, money, prayers and hope to the people of that historic town.
“Many people have been offering prayers, donations, and their own time to help with this crisis. The outpouring of love and care has been remarkable,” said Bishop Larry Silva.
Condolences from the Vatican
As news of the disaster reached the Vatican, Bishop Silva received a letter Aug. 11 from the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin who shared these words on behalf of Pope Francis, “His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the destruction caused by the wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. He expresses his solidarity with all those suffering from this tragedy, especially those whose loved ones have died or are missing.”
Bishop Silva shared this message on Aug. 13 with parishioners at Sacred Hearts Church in Kapalua, the Lahaina parish mission church. The message continued, “His Holiness also offers the assurance of prayers for the dead, injured and displaced, as well as for the first responders and emergency personnel. As a sign of his spiritual closeness the Holy Father willingly invokes upon all the people of Maui, Almighty God’s blessings of strength and peace.”
In the same prayerful spirit, leaders of different faiths came together at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku on Aug. 15 to offer supplication for the fire victims. Bishop Silva presided.
Other participants included Rev. John A.H. Tomoso, pastor of Trinity by the Sea Episcopal Church, Kihei; Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii; Maui County Council member and Pastor Tasha Kama; pastor of Lahaina United Methodist Church John Crewe; hospital chaplain at Maui Memorial Medical Center Jennifer Crouse; and many other clergy from Maui churches.
The shells of burned houses, buildings and cars are what’s left Aug. 11, 2023, after wildfires destroyed Lahaina. (OSV News photo/Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources handout via Reuters)
Seeking refuge
Providing abundant promise was the “miraculous” survival of Lahaina’s Maria Lanakila Church, which was spared unscathed from the flames. For the time being, parishioners have settled in Sacred Hearts Mission, nine miles north. Mass is celebrated every day.
“The aftermath of this fire is an unimaginable time of suffering and mourning,” said Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku, and vicar of Maui and Lanai. “Our faith is being tested as never before. Nevertheless, we draw inspiration from seeing that our beloved Maria Lanakila Church still stands tall. It’s a miraculous symbol of God’s mercy and of strength overcoming adversity.”
Carmella Esser from Kapalua is currently volunteering at the mission to help those who lost loved ones and their homes. She is one of 15 volunteers who unloaded the first shipment of supplies sent by the Knights of Columbus from Oahu on Aug. 15.
“You do what little you can help, and everybody appreciates everything so much. We consider everything right now a blessing,” said Esser by phone on Aug.15.
The volunteers had hoped to feed up to 100 people that evening, but spreading the word was not an easy task.
“We tried to tell as many parishioners as we could without cell service,” she said.
Esser says they were able to get power back on Aug. 13. However, cell towers were still down, and Wi-Fi was scarce. The only internet service that folks were able to get was from local restaurants; these businesses are not only offering their internet access but are also giving away food.
“They are offering food and Wi-Fi service. Some are cooking food that they get from donations. Some are delivering food to people. It’s a huge community effort,” said Esser.
With no cell service, Esser said it was a surprise to the community when Bishop Silva arrived that first Sunday after the fire.
“The bishop gave a very inspiring homily. Everyone was moved to tears. So many people were touched by this who lost not only their homes but their family members and friends. When you see someone (you know) it’s like the first time again because you’re so happy that they were spared,” she said.
Missionaries of Faith Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, pastor of Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui, Aug. 16 stands inside the church which emerged untouched by the wildfire that destroyed the entire town of Lahaina. (Photo courtesy of Maria Lanakila Parish)
Father Robert Ni Ni of the Missionaries of Faith, was parochial vicar of Maria Lanakila as of a month ago, when he was named pastor of St. Rita Parish in Haiku. He celebrated the Mass alongside Bishop Silva that Sunday. Returning to his former home was an experience he will never forget.
“It’s so sad. I was here one month ago. When you come back here where I used to be it’s like a war zone,” he says.
The Maui Fire Department has reported about 2,170 acres of Lahaina were scorched in the fire and more than 2,000 structures burned down.
Divine Intervention
When the fire reached Lahaina on Aug. 8, the pastor of Maria Lanakila, Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil of the Missionaries of Faith, and the parish’s three Missionaries of Faith sisters barely made it out alive. Father Ni Ni says they were all supposed to make it to his parish in Haiku, but not everyone did.
“One [of the sisters was] with the other pastor [Father Nadooparambil] because they couldn’t make it. They had to turn around to the west side of the harbor,” said Father Ni Ni.
He says two of the sisters were stuck in traffic before arriving at St. Rita.
“Usually if you go now, it’s like one hour [drive] maximum. But it took them four hours to reach me because it was so heavy traffic and they just made it on time.”
As for Father Nadooparambil and the rest of the sisters, the clock was ticking. They left Lahaina a little later than the other sisters and ended up trapped. They had no choice but to go north. Father Ni Ni says that he was not sure if they were even alive. He later found out what happened.
“One of the volunteers was telling us that Father [Nadooparambil] and the other sisters couldn’t make it to you because the roads were blocked. So, the other sisters that were able to make it to you, they made it barely on time before they blocked the roads,” said Father Ni Ni.
Mourning the loss
Bishop Silva heard many stories of destruction and heartbreak.
“At the church in Kapalua, I heard stories of people who lost one or more of their loved ones or neighbors, whose houses burned down, or who lost their livelihood,” said Bishop Silva.
Msgr. Watanabe said there’s deep sorrow among the people.
“Many members of our parish community are displaced, seeking housing with friends, relatives, in hotels or in evacuation facilities. For those whose homes were destroyed, they are left with little more than the clothes on their backs. Others have lost or missing loved ones,” he said.
The bishop shared a story that left a mark on his heart. “One of my friends, who often serves as my liturgical master of ceremonies when I am on Maui, told me that his uncle, his uncle’s wife, their daughter and their grandson all were burned to death in their car, while they were trying to escape. My friend and his wife opened their home to other relatives who lost their homes and suspects they [the displaced] will be living there for a couple of years,” said Bishop Silva.
Volunteers prepare donations for the victims of the Maui wildfires at Pier 1 in Honolulu Aug. 12, 2023. (OSV News photo/Marco Garcia, Reuters)
Father Ni Ni said that while consoling victims, many times he was at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to tell them except that they are in my prayers.”
And the stories keep coming. Twenty dogs that are trained to find human remains are working in search of the hundreds who are missing or unaccounted for.
“Pray for us, pray for people who are here and not here. Give us strength to continue because this is going to be a huge endeavor and it’s something that’s going to be ongoing for many months,” said Esser.
Many of those who survived are clinging to hope. Esser said when she’s feeling drained, she looks at those around her and sees resilience.
“A eucharistic minister at our parish lost her home. She has nothing, not even clothes. She’s so positive and I look at her with tears in my eyes and see she’s so strong,” said Esser.
On Aug. 22, six priests gathered at the Sheraton Maui Kaanapali to offer pastoral counseling for West Maui residents, many of whom are resort and hotel employees.
“We are providing spiritual guidance and counseling, and parishes are helping with donations of financial and volunteer assistance. Donations of blankets, pillows, clothing, shoes and canned goods have been pouring in,” said Msgr. Watanabe.
It’s not clear when funerals will begin taking place. However, St. Anthony Church (Wailuku), Christ the King (Kahului) and St. Theresa (Kihei) have invited Father Nadooparambil to conduct funeral services at their churches.
Supporting one another
With many families displaced, property owners have willingly offered their homes.
“Condo owners and homeowners are generously sharing their space or if they’re not on the island they are outright giving them the space,” said Esser.
Father Nadooparambil is staying with a parishioner, and two Missionaries of Faith Sisters are staying at another parish.
Some teachers and staff from Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina, Maria Lanakila’s parish school, also became homeless. Principal Tonata Lolesio said they are doing everything they can to find them shelter with the help of the Knights of Columbus and EPIC Ministry.
“The parish set up a ‘hub,’ as everyone calls it, at the [Sacred Hearts] mission where people can come for supplies and services we can provide. I made myself available to families who wish to enroll their children in Sacred Hearts School,” she said.
Lolesio has been trying to communicate with parents via Facebook and has been hosting meetings to keep them updated and to learn about their situations.
“Last Monday (Aug. 14), I gave the teachers the task of contacting their families for a safety and welfare check. I thank God and am happy to report that all students and families are safe and accounted for.”
Meanwhile, another task Lolesio has taken on is getting classes up and running by Aug. 28. They are currently securing a lease with Maui Land and Pineapple Company Inc. to reestablish the school in Kapalua. Those families who have moved to South Maui were instructed to enroll to St. Anthony School in Wailuku.
Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui, Aug. 16 stands in the background untouched by the wildfire that destroyed much of the historic town. (Photo courtesy of Maria Lanakila Parish)
“Parents are desperate to return their children to school. They learned from COVID that distance/virtual learning is impractical for their children. They are looking for a more stable learning environment,” said Lolesio.
She said getting the children back to school is the right next step after the trauma they experienced.
“It deeply saddens me; they are our hope for the future of our parish and Lahaina community. As educators, we are their advocate, their voice for the essential services they so desperately need, academic, spiritual, developmental, social and emotional,” she said.
Half of the Sacred Hearts School was burned down in the fire. Lolesio said they have tried to go back several times to retrieve furniture, equipment and curriculum from the standing classrooms, but they were turned away by authorities.
“I never thought that in my lifetime, I would ever be denied access to the town I grew up in and worked in. My heart tells me it’s time to move on; place my hand on the plow and don’t look back; Jesus, I trust in you,” said Lolesio.
Educators such as the Hawaii Catholic Schools assistant superintendent Mandy Thronas-Brown and others donated school supplies in person. Efforts like these give Lolesio hope to continue onward.
“I must admit that my strength comes from my faith and my faculty and staff. They are my support system; I could not do this work without them,” said Lolesio.
The school is looking for donations to pay for students’ tuition and operations. For more information, visit shsmaui.org.
No time to lose
Help from the neighboring islands continues to grow. Catholic Charities Hawaii, Knights of Columbus, EPIC Ministry and parishes are reaching out to their brothers and sisters in need.
“We could have waited to assess the situation and taken our time to work out a solid plan, but we knew we needed to act. Our brothers have been leveraging every asset they have available to ensure that our West Maui families are receiving everything they need,” says Joshua Kapika, Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation for the Knights of Columbus.
Holy Trinity Church in Honolulu was among the early major donors. Capuchin Franciscan Father Michel Dalton, gave a moving homily while holding up a garbage bag on Aug. 13. He asked each parishioner to take a bag home and fill it up with food, clothing and anything that could support the cause.
They collected 200 bags of necessities and 50 boxes of hygiene goods. It was donated all on time to be a part of the first shipment of supplies delivered by the Knights of Columbus.
Missionaries of Faith Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, pastor of Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui, Aug. 16 takes a selfie outside the rectory and church which emerged untouched by the wildfire that destroyed the entire town of Lahaina. (Photo courtesy of Maria Lanakila Parish)
The Diocese of Honolulu’s primary recipient of Maui relief donations is the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation (HCCF), a nonprofit corporation created to support parish and school communities. HCCF will process and distribute gifts in support of Maui wildfires relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts.
To make a donation go to tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic.
Hawaii Catholic Charities is also collecting donations. They also will be working to help rebuild homes, find temporary housing, provide essential needs and counseling. Go to catholiccharitieshawaii.org
“We are also working with our diocesan partners in Hawaii and Catholic Charities USA’s national network of partners to secure funding, monetary donations and other resources to aid those impacted,” said Be-Jay Kodama, the Vice President of Philanthropy for Catholic Charities Hawaii.
Not the first fire
It’s not the first time Maria Lanakila Church has come face-to-face with a fire and survived.
On Aug. 24, 2018, brushfires spread across Lahaina. The flames barely missed the church, and Sacred Hearts School. Firefighters were able to control the flames before any serious damage to the properties.
However, the Maui Fire Department reported that at least 2,000 acres, 22 structures and 30 vehicles burned during the 2018 fire.
People had to evacuate the area immediately but were able to return that evening. Similar to the fire on Aug. 8, the flames were fueled by hurricane winds.
