KULA, Hawaii (KHON2) — A major milestone was celebrated on Maui after a Kula man celebrated his newly rebuilt Kula home after losing his home in the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfires.
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Eighty-three-year-old Thomas Liu will move out of his rental to spend Thanksgiving in his brand-new two-bedroom, 860-square-foot cottage.
Liu will stay in the cottage while he waits for work to be completed on his main house on Kulalani Drive.
Lahaina family returns home just in time for Thanksgiving after rebuilding from August fires
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen joined Liu and Kumu Kaponoai Molitau for Tuesday’s blessing, noting that dedication and commitment can lead to accomplishments that exceed expectations.
“It’s not a time to celebrate any individual milestone, but rather a symbol of signs of the beginning of a devastated community’s long-awaited recovery,” Liu emphasized. “I only survived because of the love, generosity, kindness, support of family, friends, strangers and federal and local government.”
This is the second home rebuilt following the devastating wildfires. The first home in the Lahaina Disaster Area was blessed last week, offering a space for Mau and Ariel Ah Hee and their two sons a space to celebrate Thanksgiving sooner than they expected.
Maui County said Liu’s property was one of the 26 homes in upcountry impacted by the wildfires.
Four building permits have been approved by the Recovery Permit Center in Kula. Nine other permits are being reviewed.
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The County said more survivors will return to their homes before Christmas.
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