As deadly wildfires continue to ravage Maui, Hawaii, claiming at least 53 lives and causing widespread destruction, one man shares his family’s harrowing experience. Jonathan Melikidse was at work on the south side of Maui when he received a frantic call from his wife, Christy, who was at home with their two children in Lahaina. Flames were rapidly approaching their home, and the family was forced to flee on foot.
During their last phone call, the line suddenly went dead, leaving Melikidse in fear for his family’s safety. “The last call I got from her was that she had lost sight of the kids because the smoke was so thick. She was frantic and scared and I couldn’t do anything and then her phone cut out,” Melikidse recounts.
With no means of communication and roads completely closed off, Melikidse spent a tense night without any news about his family. Sixteen hours later, he received a life-changing text from a friend stating, “I have your wife and kids.” Although they were safe, they were also stranded and separated from him.
The family remains unsure about the state of their home and face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives amidst the chaos. Despite the losses and uncertainty, Melikidse expresses his gratitude that his family survived the devastating fires.
In the wake of the disaster, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to aid the Melikidse family in their recovery. This account highlights the profound human impact of such disasters and the resilience that emerges amidst devastation. For those looking to support Maui’s recovery, there are several avenues to donate money and supplies.