LAHAINA, Hawaii – A Maui artisan has turned his passion for metalwork into a 16-foot-tall, teardrop-shaped sculpture that he unveiled Wednesday night on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfires that ravaged Lahaina’s burn area.
Soakai Taufa, 63, works as a carpenter, bricklayer and in other trades on Maui. “I’m an all-around guy,” he said.
Taufa spent nearly three months and $6,000 of his own money using rebar, screws, rods, paint, Christmas lights and other materials to zip tie everything together into a work of art that, to him, symbolizes Maui’s tears after the wildfires that killed 102 people, two of whom are still missing. About 3,500 homes in Lahaina were destroyed, along with about 20 in Upcountry Maui by the hurricane-force winds of a passing storm.
The Lahaina wildfire is one of the worst natural disasters in Hawaii, which has experienced tragic tsunamis, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions in the past.
To honor the dead, Taufa erected and unveiled his work off Lahainaluna Road, where he also placed flags and a makeshift memorial that motorists can see as they travel on the Lahaina Bypass Road, the main road to and from Lahaina.
“I spent quite a bit, but that’s what I wanted to do, so it’s OK,” Taufa said.
The area around the artwork is marked with signs calling the area “Tears of Lahaina” and “May the souls of our town rest in peace” and urging visitors to behave respectfully.
Today will be marked by numerous commemorations, and the first statements to mark the anniversary of the tragedy were received on Wednesday.
“One year later, our hearts remain heavy as we think of the lives lost, the families impacted, and the communities affected by the devastating wildfires on August 8,” said Speaker Scott Saiki (D, Ala Moana-KakaakoDowntown) on behalf of the state House of Representatives. “The House stands by its support of the ongoing recovery efforts for our Maui-Ohana, and our shared commitment to putting the needs of Maui residents first remains unwavering.”
Assemblyman Kyle Yamashita (D, Pukalani-Makawao-Ulupalakua) said, “One truth has emerged from the tragedy of August 8: our Maui community is resilient and strong. We are deeply grateful to our state, county and federal partners for their tireless support over the past year. As we continue wildfire recovery efforts, we know there is much more work ahead. Rehabilitating our communities, restoring housing for local families, providing economic support, ensuring clean drinking water and addressing the mental health needs of our communities must be a priority.”
Maui State Senators Lynn DeCoite (D, East and Upcountry Maui-MolokaiLanai), Angus McKelvey (D, West Maui-Maalaea-South Maui) and Troy Hashimoto (D, WailukuKahuluiWaihee) issued a joint statement.
“Maui has always been a community of aloha, resilience and hope, and as we look back on the tragedies of August 8, 2023, we see this reflected in the people of Maui. Every single life lost and survived has a story and a memory. As we continue to heal and move toward rebuilding, we remain committed to one another and our communities.
“Mahalo to the state, Maui County, community leaders, volunteers and our neighbors who have come together in our time of need. While there is still much work to be done on our long road to recovery, we see a path ahead of us full of hope and promise. Building on the foundation laid by the generations before us, we will rebuild for future generations, with hope, resilience and aloha for Maui Nui,” they said.
