Destroyed buildings and homes left in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina.Photo:SEBASTIEN VUAGNAT/AFP via Getty Images
SEBASTIEN VUAGNAT/AFP via Getty Images
A romantic honeymoon in Hawaii took a drastic turn for a St. Louis couple as they came face-to-face with theraging Maui wildfires.
“Gas stations were all closed. Fast food places were all closed, too,” Jon told the outlet.
Finding food became a challenge, the couple said, as they had no access to cell service and the power outages continued. It took several tries before they found a grocery store with any product left, Jon added to FOX 2.
“It was just a lot of people randomly forming lines. People were just getting in line because other people were,” he continued.
The lack of cell service also made it impossible for the couple to contact their loved ones. “Our parents really didn’t know where we were,” Tiffany said. “They actually thought we died because we didn’t talk to them for two days.”
Wildfire in Lahaina, on August 9, 2023.ZEKE KALUA/County of Maui /AFP via Getty Images
ZEKE KALUA/County of Maui /AFP via Getty Images
Once the fires began — several large wildfires were first reported on the island on Aug. 8, prompting Hawaii Lt. Gov. Syvlia Luke to issue anemergency proclamation, activating the National Guard — the Bosslet’s came face-to-face with a blaze.
“When I saw the smoke, I knew it was pretty bad,” Tiffany told FOX 2 of a fire that began just minutes from where they were staying.
The newlyweds rerouted their trip in light of the devastating wildfires — which have sincekilled more than 100 people— and spent the remainder of their vacation in Honolulu.
The outlet reported that they donated a portion of their honeymoon funds to help the residents of Maui, where the wildfires continue to rage.
“As good as it was at the beginning, your honeymoon is replaceable,” Tiffany said of the unexpected changes to the trip. “We are just grateful we are here, and we are safe. Hopefully, there will be another honeymoon in the future.”
Destroyed homes and buildings in historic Lahaina Town.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
On Tuesday, Maui Country confirmed that 106 people had died as a result of the wildfires, making the blaze the deadliest in the U.S. in more than 100 years, according to theNational Fire Protection Association.
Only five victims have been officially identified thus far, and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green toldCNNon Monday that he feared the death toll would continue to climb.
“Over the course of the next several weeks, we’ll be able to confirm who passed away. But it’s going to be very difficult going,” Green said, alluding to the significant areas that remain unsearched.
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“Our whole town is gone. Our jobs are gone. Our house is gone,” Amanda Bratton, 28, said. “Our cars are gone and our whole community is just, I mean, it’s the entire town. So it’s like I’ve never seen anything this tragic since 9-11. It’s like, what do you do when you weren’t expecting your entire town, all the buildings and businesses and houses, to just be wiped out?”
source: people.com
