Central Florida natives share first-hand devastation of Hawaii wildfires

ORLANDO, Fla. — A couple from Central Florida has lost their business in the deadly Hawaii wildfires.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The couple, she a Dr. Phillips High School graduate and he a Cypress Creek High School graduate, moved to Maui about four years ago and opened up a Kava shop in 2020.

Kaitlin Diaz and her husband Aaron said the wildfires decimated the town of Lahaina “leveled the whole city, everything is gone.”

“It’s crazy to me how in good spirits they are despite everything,” Aaron Diaz said. “These people are so strong.”

Photos: Aftermath of Hawaii wildfires, nation’s deadliest in recent history

After opening their Haleakava in 2020 in Kihei, they expanded to Lahaina in 2021.

In one heartbreaking swoop, the fire destroyed their new location.

“We lost a lot of investment, we’ll lose future income,” Kaitlin Diaz said. “But it really hasn’t been a focus for us. We recognize that other people have lost so much more than that.”

READ: Tropic update: 2 tropical waves moving through the Atlantic, moisture building in the Gulf

Now, the couple is double their Kihei location as a donation drop-off and distribution center. They said everyone is welcome and can take whatever they need.

They decided to do this after some people were getting turned away from other sites.

A GoFundMe has been set up. Donate by clicking here.

READ: Fires and others disasters are increasing in Hawaii, according to this AP data analysis

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 137

Hawaii Fires A home is consumed in a wildfire in Kula, Hawaii, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. Wildfires have devastated parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Video: Shark attacks fisherman in kayak off coast of Hawaii Video shows a terrifying shark attack off the coast in Hawaii. (WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group