HAWAIʻI COUNTY EMPLOYEES GATHER TO REMEMBER MAUI WILDFIRES
HAWAIʻI COUNTY EMPLOYEES GATHER TO REMEMBER MAUI WILDFIRES
Earlier this morning, Hawaiʻi County employees came together to pay tribute to the lives lost and the communities affected by the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui on August 8, 2023. Over 80 employees assembled around the County flagposts in Hilo, where flags were raised to half-mast in front of Engine 1, honoring those who perished in the tragedy. The ceremony began with an ʻoli offered by Makaiwa Kanui, followed by a personal message from Kimi Silva, a County accountant and Lāhainā native, who shared personal reflections on the impact of the wildfires.
Following the flag-raising, staff joined Mayor Mitch Roth and Pastor Renee Godoy, a Hawaiʻi County Police and Fire Chaplain, in the County Building Atrium for a time of reflection and community support. The gathering included short messages, a prayer, and the screening of a film prepared by Maui County that detailed the ongoing recovery efforts over the past year.
The event concluded with a hula performance by Pōmaikaʻi Bartolome, an Executive Assistant to Mayor Roth, accompanied by the music of her brother, Loeka Longikit.
Mayor Mitch Roth encourages the community to observe a Day of Remembrance to honor those impacted by the Maui wildfires and to extend their aloha to the Maui ʻohana as they continue to rebuild.
“As we reflect on this day, I invite our entire community to join us in extending our deepest aloha to Maui and honoring the sacrifices our first responders make every day for our safety and well-being,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “We are all one ʻohana, and it’s vital that we support each other, no matter the distance. We hope today’s remembrance provided a safe and welcoming space for our employees still coping with the tragedy, allowing them to feel seen and supported as we all work toward healing and recovery.”
Mayor Roth also invited community members to submit letters, poems, or artwork to his office by August 15. These contributions will be shared with Mayor Bissen’s office on Maui, where they will be displayed for the community to see.
