I am the lead mentor for Lunas FRC 3882, we are from Lahainaluna HS, in Lahaina, Maui.
We have just been through a once in a lifetime fire that has leveled our town. It will never be the same. The high school has some wind damage, but I don’t think it’s major. Our shop and stuff should be okay. I haven’t been in Lahaina since Monday, so that is my best guess looking at pictures.
I don’t live in Lahaina, my family and I were lucky that the fire didn’t threaten our area, we are safe. My students, however, went through a rough time. I’ve gotten in touch with most of them and they are safe, many evacuated to Kahului or Wailuku. Many of our students have lost their homes to the fire. We are okay, but the road to recovery will be long, both physically and emotionally. Lahaina still doesn’t have power, internet, or cell service. The damage is unbelievable.
The fire has been a big story nationally, so I wanted to update the community on how we are doing. Material things can be replaced, life cannot. I am extremely grateful that my students are safe. There are many fatalities, with the count rising. It is heartbreaking.
I didn’t know what to write, or even to post this, but I needed some way to share what the students and their families are going through.
Mahalo for reading this,
Dennis Sasai-Mentor FRC 3882
I’m really sorry you are going through this. Lahaina is a beautiful town that I’ve spent a fair amount of time in, and I hope you and your loved ones are able to recover from this trauma quickly.
I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy affecting team 3882. I’ve experienced losing my home to a fire, and it’s still hard for me to acknowledge to this day. Honestly, it was a battle just typing that sentence out.
My condolences to the many wonderful students who have now unfortunately lost their homes, hopefully you guys will find a way forward together
If for some reason this doesn’t turn out to be the case and you find out you need to replace wheels, cims, KOPKit of Parts parts let us know! We have a donations cart of parts still.
We were wondering if your team was doing okay, 8871 (James Campbell High School on Oahu) sends their regards and our team is working with the rest of our school collecting donations this afternoon during our welcome back fair.
Dennis,
man, I just saw you last weekend and we were talking about upcoming plans for this school year.
Never would have thought something this tragic could happen overnight.
Thank you for giving us an update. Please, let us know how we can help.
While there are coordinated efforts for all of us to provide support indvidually, our school, and other organizations, I want to make sure we help as well.
If you’re team needs a place to stay on Oahu or support for the team, we will be happy to help where we can.
This was the front page today of our local newspaper. I am just floored.
Dennis, so glad you posted - been thinking about you all. Very glad your students are all safe. So very sorry for this terrible tragedy to your community. Lunas have a very special place in the hearts of the Narwhals.
Is there any specific 501c3 or local aid agency you could point us to?
As the recovery effort continues - when you figure out what anyone needs, please let us know.
The community has put together a website listing `ohana directly affected by the fires. If you desire to donate, links to the individual families’ goFundMe/Venmo pages are on the site. Mahalo for all your support! https://maui-relief.fly.dev/
Thank you so much for you willingness! Although i want to give you the names of the families I know, they have already received so much support compared to others on the list. Generally the most recent ones(near the top of the page) have received less money.
I finally got to meet with my students over the weekend and they are safe and doing well. They are at different stages in the recovery, a mixed bag. It was heartwarming to see them, a very happy reunion for all.
I drove through Lahaina for the first time since the fire and I can’t recognize many parts of the town. I hope we can rebuild some of the lost culture.
Lahainaluna HS is tentatively scheduled to open Oct. 16 provided it is environmentally safe, facilities are safe and there is enough personnel. Many teachers and support staff have been affected also, including two of our mentors.
The school will use a temporary satellite site at Kulanihako`i HS in Kihei, Maui for now, starting on Sept.14, so students can get back to school and we can do wellness checks and the school can provide services. That is about a 45m bus ride from Lahaina. Currently, some students are enrolled at other high schools, but they may return to Lahainaluna HS at anytime they choose. Each families situation is different.
The team wants to start up when we are back at Lahainaluna. I don’t know what that will look like, but I will try my best to support the students. Luckily, our shop and our supplies are not damaged.
Mahalo to teams #3128, #2102, and #3128 Alum Jess for sending our team care packages of clothes for our team. Jess said that others also donated to the care package, Mahalo to all.
It was appreciated and the students were so happy with the clothes.
That’s all for now. Mahalo to everyone for their kind words and thoughts.
-Dennis
Maui HS Robotics team 2443 hasn’t been directly affected by the fire. I spoke with their lead mentor this morning. The school is in Kahului, which is in Central Maui, about 25miles away from Lahaina. The school had closed for a week to assess what was happening in Maui, but opened again and is functioning at 100%. They are indirectly affected as many had relatives in Lahaina.
Although i want to give you the names of the families I know, they have already received so much support compared to others on the list. Generally the most recent ones(near the top of the page) have received less money.