Episcopal leaders in Hawaiʻi prepare to assist communities devastated by deadly Maui wildfires

Aug 14, 2023 by Jill

By Shireen Korkzan, ENS:

Episcopal leaders in Hawaiʻi are assessing the immediate needs of people who have been impacted by this week’s wildfires on the island of Maui, which have killed at least 55 people and destroyed at least a thousand buildings, including a historic Episcopal church.

The wildfires, which are mostly contained now, prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 people, including tourists. The worst of the damage was experienced by Maui’s western community of Lahaina, population 12,700, where Holy Innocents Episcopal Church had stood since 1927. Aerial photos of the devastation show whole neighborhoods leveled by five, apparently including the church.

One of the diocese’s immediate priorities is to get in touch with all members of Holy Innocents and make sure everyone is safe and has access to shelter and other immediate needs. Once everyone is accounted for, the diocese will assess the best ways to approach the cleanup process.

“Those I’ve been in contact with are mostly displaced as their homes were demolished by the fire,” the Rev. Bruce DeGooyer, vicar of Holy Innocents, told Episcopal News Service by email. “It is overwhelming here.”

Hawaiians know how to prepare for hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, but “even the kupuna — elders — have never experienced anything like [the wildfires].” Hawaiʻi Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick told ENS in a phone interview. “Everyone’s in shock right now, including me.”

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