LAHAINA, HAWAII: In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, Maui resident Gabrielle Longhi is sharing details about the true extent of the disaster. Returning residents are confronted with a reality that surpasses even the most dire expectations.
The calamity exposed the region's vulnerability and brought to light the shortcomings in disaster response on Friday, August 11.
Longtime resident Todd Hudson was among the first to witness the aftermath of the deadly wildfire, a scene that he describes as resembling a war zone with the town's once-thriving landscape now reduced to ashes.
His account of the devastation highlights the absence of effective warnings or support mechanisms for the affected residents. "It's worse than you could ever imagine. It looks like a war zone. Everything is gone," he told Daily Mail in an interview.
Meanwhile, another resident Alyssa Sullivan's family narrowly escaped the flames. Fleeing with her family, including their two-year-old son, she left their home behind to be engulfed by the inferno.
Who is Gabrielle Longhi?
According to Gabrielle Longhi's website, she is "based in Los Angeles, is a versatile photographer specializing in still life, product, and editorial photography, as well as black and white, palladium, and iris prints."
"Her artistic journey has taken her to galleries in New York, California, and Hawaii, where she has exhibited her work that spans books, editorial content, and fine art. Longhi is an alumna of CalArts and holds a BFA from New York University Film School," the site adds.
Gabrielle Longhi voices anguish and frustration
Gabrielle Longhi, whose family has deep ties with Maui, spoke out with a mix of heartbreak and anger. "It was like Hurricane Katrina with dozens of bodies in the water," she told Daily Mail.
Longhi highlighted the laggardly response of city officials, underscoring the critical moments that were lost due to delays. "I don't feel like the true devastation is being told. Nothing is there. It's just like dust. The banks are gone," she noted.
Longhi's personal losses in the catastrophe include the destruction of her father's renowned restaurant and her family home turned luxury rental.
"My dad had the first open house in Maui where all the doors were open and a 65-foot lap pool on the ocean. The ceiling in his bedroom could roll back so you could look at the stars at night," said Longhi.
She added, "I am getting calls from so many former guests [...] The meditation tower is miraculously still standing," she added. Her residence in the upcountry Kula area is still at risk due to another fire that ignited earlier in the week.
"I know every inch of that house. I never realized that the last time I was there would be the very last time," she continued. "I am really mad that the whole town burned."
Criticism of Maui's response to wildfires
Longhi criticized the lack of a cohesive plan and the absence of proper infrastructure to mitigate such a disaster. She also raised questions about the allocation of resources and the unmet needs of the island's residents.
"People said there was nobody there to help. Lahaina is the heart of Maui," she added. "With all the tourism this island brings in, you have to wonder where all the money is going."
As the community grapples with the aftermath and seeks to rebuild, Longhi's voice joins a chorus of concern and calls for change.
The devastation in Lahaina has laid bare the deficiencies in the region's disaster response and has galvanized residents to demand more effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
