Volunteers build tiny homes for restaurant owner who lost everything in Maui wildfires

In the current climate of human lives losing value in the face of invasions, attacks, wars, wildfires, earthquakes, floods and many such catastrophes, there comes a ray of hope when people come together to lift each other up. In August this year, Hawaii faced the wrath of nature with strong winds flaring up the island of Maui, terribly affecting the community of Lahaina. The Maui wildfires began on August 8, forcing large-scale evacuations, displacement of thousands of people from Lahaina and a loss of at least 97 lives. In addition, people lost their homes, businesses and everything they could call their own.

Among those who lost their livelihood is restaurant owner Willian Fincher, who witnessed the rage of the wildfires burning his neighborhood to the ground. Fincher shared with Good Morning America that the day the wildfire first erupted, he made the “foolish” decision to walk towards his house in search of his family, only to find his house engulfed in flames. A businessman and a homeowner, William lost both his restaurants and his house in the deadly wildfire. The tragedy has left the community of Lahaina with great uncertainty about their long-term future. While residents have been temporarily given shelter in rental homes, the question of ‘what next’ lingers on.

The wildfires may have caused cracks in the lives of the people of Maui, but their spirit remains unbroken. Juan Ricci, a builder from Maui, along with Fincher have taken the initiative to build tiny homes for the displaced people. They aim to provide a safe place for people to call 'home' while Lahaina figures out its rebuilding plans. Ricci is hopeful that the tiny homes will be able to bring a feeling of normalcy to the affected families. He further said, “The rebuilding of Lahaina's not going to happen in a couple of months or a year, you know. It's going to be a long time until Lahaina gets built.”

Fincher elaborated on the plans of rebuilding and said, “In my experience, everything here in Hawaii takes longer than they say it will. So realistically, I'm just kind of preparing my family and myself to not be able to build for several years.”

Fincher is pairing up with Ricci in the building of tiny homes. He shared, “I'm good with tools, but I don't know how to frame or put roofs on or lay foundation, electrical, you know, none of this stuff. Juan does and Juan has the guys that know how to do this stuff." The affected areas of Lahaina are being cleared of the debris and residents are being allowed back into the area. However, the wildfires have rendered some parts of the town beyond recognition. Fincher expressed his sentiments for Lahaina and called it "the best place in the world" but he doubts that it will ever be the same again.

However, all hope is not lost as Ricci’s team banks on donations from people and their GoFundMe campaign to get the displaced families settled and pay the volunteers who are working hard. Ricci and Fincher have shown that in the face of disaster, humankind only has each other.