Miracle amidst the flames; Catholic Church spared on island of Maui

 

Church in Maui miraculously spared from devastating Hawaii wildfires

Story by Zachary Folk

A historic Catholic church was one of few buildings still standing after a devastating wildfire swept through Maui.

On Tuesday, the wildfire swept through the historic town of Lahaina, the former capital of the Hawaiian monarchy before the islands became a US territory.

The blaze has killed at least 55 people across Maui, with over 1,000 residents still unaccounted for.

Photos from the aftermath of the fire show Lahaina nearly burnt to the ground. Historic structures were obliterated, and the fire even scorched the town’s massive banyan tree.

‘Without a doubt, it feels like a bomb was dropped on Lahaina,’ Hawaii Governor Josh Green said at a press conference after touring the destruction.

However, one building appears to have survived the blaze so far.

The Maria Lanakila Catholic Church is still standing, according to photos and videos posted by the few residents able to access the ruins of the town.

The first church on the site was built in 1846, when the first Catholic missionaries arrived on Maui. ‘Maria Lanakila’ is a Hawaiian language phrase that translates to ‘Victorious Mary’ or ‘Our Lady of Victory in English.

It is currently unclear how many Maria Lanakila parishioners have been lost in the fire.

The church is currently unreachable by phone, as large portions of western Maui have lost cell service and 911 emergency services.

‘What we know is the fact that all of Lahaina Town has been consumed by fire,’ Monsignor Terence Watanabe told Catholic publication The Pillar. ‘It’s all gone. The church, Maria Lanakila is still standing, as is the rectory.’

Watanabe is the pastor of the nearby St Anthony’s Church in Wailuku. He said the roof of the church’s school was ripped off by hurricane-force winds earlier this week.

Although the church appears to be safe for now, officials are warning that fires are still burning on Maui.

‘None of the fires are 100% contained right now,’ Maui Fire Chief Bradford Ventura said.

‘Additionally, we’ve had many small fires in between these large fires. And with the current weather pattern that we’re facing, we still have the potential for rapid fire behavior.’