As It Occurs6:582 weeks after the devastating Hawaii hearth, household of lacking man holds onto hope
Every time Ku’ulei Barut hears about somebody from Hawaii being reunited with a misplaced member of the family, she’s concurrently overjoyed and devastated.
That is as a result of Barut’s brother, Lahaina resident Po’omaika’i Estores-Losano, hasn’t been heard from in additional than two weeks.
He is one among greater than 1,000 folks nonetheless unaccounted for after a hurricane-fuelled wildfire ripped by means of the historic seaside city on the Hawaiian island of Maui earlier this month. Thus far, Maui police say 115 individuals are confirmed useless — however that toll is predicted to develop.
It is not clear the place Estores-Losano was when the quickly shifting hearth struck on Aug. 8. All his household is aware of is that he was off work that day, and spoke to his grandmother that morning, earlier than the fireplace began. His two youngsters, ages 5 and 6, escaped the fireplace with their mom.
Barut flew to Hawaii from Pennsylvania after the fireplace to be together with her household and assist seek for her brother. She spoke to As It Occurs visitor host Katie Simspon on Wednesday from the Hawaiian capital of Honolulu. Right here is a part of their dialog.
How are you doing?
Oh, it has been a loopy previous two weeks. Numerous feelings and, you understand, simply going by the day.
I think about you have not been getting a lot sleep.
No.
Are you continue to holding out hope that you can discover your brother and that he is alive?
It will be 15 days at the moment. We nonetheless have some hope. However on the identical time, we’re additionally getting ready for the worst.
What are you attempting to do to search out out the place he could be or what may need occurred?
Me and my mother and my cousin have been calling all of the shelters. We really put out flyers of him, too, in many of the shelters and the place the Pink Cross stations are once they examine in. We additionally referred to as hospitals.
However nothing to this point.
There are lots of of households which can be in the identical form of troublesome place that you just’re in proper now. When you consider that, how do you’re feeling?
I do not know. It type of makes me a bit of indignant as a result of there’s loads of ways in which may have been prevented.
I get so completely happy, although, when folks get reunited. However it type of makes me upset, too, as a result of I’d like to reunite with my brother.
Are you listening to tales of hope the place individuals are being reunited?
I’ve heard one not too long ago. Her dad was lacking for 13 days and he had popped up and advised her that he was OK and so they reunited. However that was just one out of the thousand.
What have you ever seen because you returned to Hawaii?
I’ve seen loads of unification with all people. Like, I’ve by no means seen the islands come collectively like that.
After which loads of disappointment and loads of crying as a result of it is actually devastating. Particularly as a result of I … lived in Lahaina for nearly 10 years, and Lahaina’s a extremely small group, and all people will get alongside and loves each other. And it is type of like, I do not know the way it’ll rebuild after that, or how lengthy it’s going to take to rebuild.
As somebody who lived there, are you able to describe what you noticed and what it felt wish to see the destruction?
It was like out of a horror film — like one thing you do not see. And I really feel prefer it’s a dream most occasions, since you by no means anticipate that. Particularly in Hawaii, as a result of Hawaii is so small.
I simply have loads of questions and loads of them don’t get answered.
What do you wish to hear from officers? What questions do you may have?
I wish to know the precise physique rely. I wish to know the precise share of how a lot of [the city searchers] have coated.
I do know there’s solely a lot they will do. I really feel like loads of households are wanting solutions, and it is simply the ready and never understanding.
Are you able to inform us about your brother?
From my perspective, as a result of I am a sister, he was type of annoying. However he had a extremely good persona. Like, he all the time noticed the most effective in folks. Like, regardless of how unhealthy they may do, he’ll all the time inform me, “It is OK,” you understand, “Time will go by.”
He was a extremely good man.
When your brother’s youngsters ask about their dad, what do you say?
The youngest one would not actually ask something. However the oldest one … he requested me, “If my daddy lived in Lahaina, then the place is he now?”
And I type of broke down, as a result of I did not know the way to reply that. As a result of I do not even know myself. And I did not wish to mislead him.
He is on the age the place he asks loads of questions. However … [his] mother had advised him that anyone that has been caught within the hearth, they go to heaven.
At this level, with the entire frustrations and the disappointment that you have described, what helps you go on day-to-day?
My household. My husband. I do know it is unhealthy, however when folks move away, it type of brings your loved ones collectively. And I discuss to my grandma … every day, and I’m staying with my mother, so it is type of relieving.
We reminisce about reminiscences, however we additionally cry about it, or we giggle. And my cousin, too, as a result of my cousin has been … the one which’s been driving round calling. And it has been a reduction.