LAHAINA, Hawaii — It is hard to comprehend this type of devastation. Imagine having lived through it.
Sam Younger was born and raised in Hudson, but for the past 15 years has lived in Lahaina, Hawaii. He and his wife, Josie, are among many who have been impacted by the wildfires in Hawaii that have left devastating damage.
"At about 5 o'clock or so we saw smoke coming from the town, which is two blocks down the street from us," said Sam Younger.
Just two blocks away is where Sam Younger and his wife Josie lived in Lahaina, Hawaii, where paradise has become hell. Josie captured the video when she saw the flames getting closer to their home.
"When we did realize it was by our house and next to our house, we really only thought that it was just our area. We didn't know the entire town had already been consumed," said Josie Younger.
This was the moment.
"A block away, the buildings were on fire and there were no firemen or no help in sight."
At this point, the couple had to flee for their lives with just their two dogs. The devastating fire destroyed the couple's home, which housed Sam's scuba diving business.
The Youngers left their home with just the clothes on their back and a spare shirt in the truck of the vehicle.
"Of course, my spare shirt is a Cleveland shirt."
The two can finally laugh about something. After all, it's been days since they became homeless.
“We just didn’t have time to grab anything. None of this stuff is important. What’s important is us. Let’s make sure we have each other and let’s get out safely. Who cares about all these possessions?”
Time was not on their side either. Lahaina is on the west side of Maui, where the wood is dry and it lacks water.
The town has had fires before, but this time with the winds from Hurricane Dora there was no chance of saving this coastal community. Even so, the Youngers say they are not leaving. They want to give Lahaina another chance.
"Lahaina is our home we built a home here we want to continue to rebuild."
A GoFundMe page has been created for the couple as they work to rebuild and start over following the fire. Anyone interested in donating to the Youngers can click HERE.
