Gathered with compassion at Wailuku Hongwanji, from left: Rev. Kerry Kiyohara of Makawao Hongwanji, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani, Rev. Shinkai Murakami of Wailuku Hongwanji, Rev. Gensho Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission, Lahainaluna High School principal Richard Carosso, State Senator Troy Hashimoto and Maui County Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura.
VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • September 2025
Resilience and Hope Lives On in Lahaina
On the anniversary of the fires, Maui residents unite to remember those lost and to stand with survivors
BY GAIL S. TAGASHIRA
MANAGING EDITOR, KA LEO KĀHEA
After two long, hard years, Lahaina is back. Of course the August 2023 wildfires were devastating — 102 people lost their lives — but look at where Lahaina and Lahainaluna High School in particular, are today: Revitalized, moving forward, returning stronger than ever.
Those sentiments from Richard Carosso, the keynote speaker at “A Gathering of Compassion and Honor,” were delivered at Wailuku Hongwanji Mission in an unprecedented program sponsored by Maui Hongwanji Council, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i and funded by Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist Women’s Federation of Japan.
The August 10 event, held two days after the two-year anniversary of the wildfires, brought together Maui ministers, elected leaders and Hongwanji members from throughout the island.
Lahaina survivor Lisa Fujiyama, center, represented Lahaina Hongwanji at the offering of flowers and incense at the Wailuku Hongwanji, where she now works. Rev. Kerry Kiyohara, left, and Rev. Shinkai Murakami, right, were among officiants at “A Gathering of Compassion and Honor.”
Months of planning by a 10-member committee, chaired by Reverend Shinkai Murakami culminated with a four-hour long remembrance and celebration beginning with a service, followed by refreshments and lunch including a performance by a trio of local musicians.
The service began with an offering of flowers and incense from the Maui Hongwanji Council and seven temples, followed by meditation and “Vandana and Ti-sarana,” two recitations and two gathas.
Officiants included Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani, Rev. Murakami, Rev. Gensho Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission and Rev. Kerry Kiyohara of Makawao Hongwanji Mission.
To welcome guests, Bishop Umitani delivered a message of hope and comfort.
“While the process of recovery and rebuilding continues, some of you may still feel as if you are walking alone through a dark and uncertain path,” he said to some 130 people attending the service.
“It may feel as though each step is taken in fear, without any guiding light.
“Even in the darkest moments, when we look up, we can see the gentle glow of the moon — softly, yet surely illuminating our way forward.
“As we honor the lives of those who passed away and we continue on the path of recovery, I extend my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to all those who have been directly or indirectly affected by the wildfires.”
For those who continue to face hardships, the BWA Federation’s support came with the sincere hope that the event might provide a moment of rest, healing and comfort to renew their strength and reaffirm our deep interconnectedness.
“We are one and we are here for each other,” he said.
To mark the anniversary, resolutions were presented from State Senator Troy Hashimoto, Maui County Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura and Mayor Richard Bissen, who said the trauma of the wildfires goes farther than what can be seen.
“Healing is rooted in quiet patience and is deeply rooted in fellowship,” the mayor said, “and the commitment towards recovery includes remembering every life lost.” He urged attendees to check Page 8 of the program which listed the names of all 102 victims who lost their lives, ranging in age from 7 to 97 years.
Lahainaluna High School principal Richard Carosso: “There is resilience and hope that lives in the Lahaina community.”
Principal Carosso agreed, but also spoke of Lahaina’s resilience and its deep-rooted spirit of helping and giving, a reflection of the community and the Buddha nature.
To call Lahaina a “special place” is just not enough, he said. “Lahaina is rich in a magical way — its community of people, its way of giving, helping a neighbor before even being asked . . .”
Years before deciding to accept the top job at Lahainaluna High, he came to realize the community’s collaborative nature and the Buddhist concept of giving were two practices he sought to incorporate in his own life.
It’s humbling, he said, to think that his photo will someday be added to the school’s display of principals dating back to 1831.
Shortly after the fires, he recalled how the State of Hawai’i’s Department of Education repeatedly pressed school officials to reopen, asking the staff, how many students and staff would show up? The administration defiantly challenged the DOH to “. . . Pick a date, (any) date and we’ll see how many people will show up.”
Principal Carosso maintained that given the nature of the Lahaina community, the school would be OK. On Dec. 14, 2023, he was proven correct:
“We had 700 students out of 1,000 show up that day and all but one of our teachers returned,” he said. “I know this community, I know this school. Lahaina steps up for its kids. That’s the value of what Lahaina is.”
The school gymnasium, the last building to be renovated, was completed on Friday, August 8, on the very day of the anniversary and two days before the Wailuku service.
Last year, the school’s robotics team made it to the national competitions and with the help of Maui County, low-cost residential units were built to help house the staff which will impact operations for years to come.
As the school year resumed during the week of Aug. 4-8, they anticipated 743 students to return; 831 came back.
“It blew me away,” he said. “That’s the value of what Lahaina is. There is resilience and hope that lives in the Lahaina community.”
Following the service, refreshments and a catered lunch were served in the Social Hall, where the Arlie Asiu Trio played a variety of pop oldies and classic favorites for an appreciative audience.
The trio, made up of Asiu on ukulele, Skyler Stook on rhythm ukulele and Eddie Sebala on bass pleased the crowd with its mixture of upbeat popular songs.