Survivors of the 2018 Paradise fire, one of the deadliest wildfires in US history, have expressed their empathy and support for people in Lahaina, Hawaii, currently experiencing devastating wildfires. The fires in both locations have drawn grim parallels due to their deadly impact and similar circumstances, and have now become forever linked in the hearts of the survivors.
Melissa Crick, a Paradise fire survivor, was moved upon connecting with a Lahaina resident via social media. She understood the fear, sadness, and the sense of loss that the Hawaiian residents were experiencing. These emotional reactions are echoed by other Paradise residents, who recognized the similarities between their catastrophe and the unfolding disaster in Hawaii.
Both Paradise, California, and Lahaina, Hawaii, despite their disparate geographical locations and climates, share a common vulnerability to wildfires, exacerbated by climate change. The wildfire risks in both areas were well-known, and as fire and vegetation ecologist Hugh Safford noted, it was only a matter of time before such a disaster occurred.
Paradise residents continue to process their own trauma while considering how to help the people of Lahaina. The Paradise Rotary Club, which received over $2.1 million in donations following their fire, plans to support Hawaiian survivors similarly.
Despite the hardship, the people of Paradise offer messages of hope for Lahaina, drawing from their own journey of recovery and rebuilding. They emphasize that while the road to recovery is challenging, there is always hope for a brighter future.