The people of Waikiki quickly organized a paddle out event to support those affected by the deadly Maui wildfires.
According to KHON2 News, hundreds of Hawaiians came together to honor victims and offer hope to the survivors Saturday.
Flowers were thrown into the clear water as attendees formed a giant circle and held hands while floating and offering their prayers and well wishes.
This was held during the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival, which takes place every August to honor the historic swimmer who the event is named after. This last-minute event replaced a previously scheduled Red Bull Party Wave in Queens, Waikiki.
Kainoa McGee, a Hawaiian pro surfer, attended the event and described the energy of the people who quickly organized the memorial.
He said, “For this to happen in like, you know, a couple of days literally… I don’t think that happens anywhere else to be honest.”
“Because even though we weren’t literally directly affected by it, we were all directly affected by it,” he added.
NBC News reported the death toll has now reached 114 and is likely to rise. This is the most devastating wildfire in modern U.S. history.
Na Kama Kai CEO Duane Desoto is part of the recovery effort and attended the event as well. In addition to dispersing supplies and raising donations, he offered his thoughts on the event for KHON2 News. Na Kama Kai Is a nonprofit organization.
He expressed concerns over the destruction stating, “Lahaina, it’s just, it’s like a movie. It’s apocalyptic. It’s ground zero action.”
He then noted, “The energy of the people has been amazingly strong though and resilient.”
“I give them a lot of credit for all banding together the way they have,” DeSoto concluded.
McGee summed up their message to Maui. He said, “We love you guys. We send all our love, Aloha, and Manna that we can to you.”
“In the time of need, we’ll be here. Know things are a little crazy right now, but when you need us to come back, clean up, rebuild, we’ll be there. Aloha.”
