In the second week of August more than 110 lives were lost due to the devastating wildfires that occurred on the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Oahu, marking this string of events as one of the worst disasters in Hawaii’s history. Lahaina, formerly known as the Hawaiian kingdom’s capital, was impacted the most with over 2,000 structures, homes, and acres destroyed. Around 1,000 people were considered missing and it will cost over $5 billion to rebuild according to Maui County. 

Prior to the fires, Hurricane Dora, a category 4 tropical storm, hit the Big islands’ causing the winds to be more than 80 miles per hour. Many investigators speculate that the storm’s winds, drought conditions in the summer, and loose power lines caused the fire. 

“The wildfires that occurred earlier this month were heartbreaking,” said Spring Valley Junior Shadiana Walter. “It’s sad seeing our aīna (land) being destroyed.” 

Families and students throughout the Las Vegas valley are saddened for those in Hawaii considering that Las Vegas is known as Hawaii’s ninth island with a vast Hawaiian population. Spring Valley students and staff themselves have been impacted as well. 

“What’s happening in Hawaii right now is deeply affecting my loved ones back home [Oahu] since their land, home, and family are suffering,” said Senior Ariani Maulupe. “Much of their land has been destroyed and leaving many locals homeless, injured, and separated from their family.” 

Student council advisor Lacey LeBaron was also impacted. 

 “I know that all my brother-in-law’s cousins are in Lahaina,” said Student Council advisor Lacey LeBaron. “At least five or six of his cousins have lost their homes and luckily his parent’s home is still standing, but now they can’t get a flight back to Lahaina.” 

In the aftermath of the fires, principal Tara Powell and student council advisors, Lacey LeBaron and Kyle Brown launched the “Relief for Maui” clothing and supply drive to aid the people of Maui to get back on their feet.

“I was watching the news this weekend and saw that many parents left their kids home, so there might have been a large amount of children home alone while the fires struck,” Powell said. “After seeing the post I contacted Mrs. LeBaron and Mr. Brown about doing a drive and to think about what we can do.” 

The drive took place August 14th through the 18th, and essential items the drive was asking for were first aid, toiletries, new/gently used clothes, baby needs, unopened undergarments and socks, and pet food. All these items are able to help Maui families rebuild their lives. 

“I think the clothing and supply drive is such a wonderful thing,” Walter said. “As Hawaiians we were raised with respect for anyone, no matter who it is. We will rebuild this community together.” 

The drive was a huge success considering there were over 20 bags full of supplies from students and staff. In addition, Powell and LeBaron had a bigger goal in mind for students to realize their impact means something and to bring the school community closer together. 

“I think it’s important to look beyond yourself and to understand that when other people around the world are hurting,” LeBaron said. “Just because it didn’t happen to you today doesn’t mean that it couldn’t have been you or your house another day.” 

Even though the drive has come to a close the effort is not lost. Many other schools, events, and even students are making an effort themselves to help the Maui community as well. 

“We [Las Vegas community] had many of our Hawaiian businesses like 2 Scoops of Aloha, Kava Lounge, Generation Kitchen, Honors Clothing Brand, and more creating donations that filled over thirty U-Haul trucks.” Walter said, whose family owns 2 Scoops of Aloha. 

The school is looking forward to continuing implementing drives and fundraisers to help everyone within the Spring Valley community, as well as those away from the community as well.  

“We talked to the student council and will revisit it [the drive] in like two weeks to see what we need and we’ll go from there.”