Ex-Worcester resident witnesses wildfire disaster unfolding near home in Hawaii
Steve Cipro can smell smoke on the air.
The South Maui wildfire, one of the three largest of the remaining fires on the island, is about 10 miles north of his home in Wailea, Hawaii.
The former Worcester resident is most concerned for his daughter, who received a call in the middle of the night to evacuate with her family from her ranch in the Upcountry Maui area. As far as Cipro knows, she has still not been able to return.
"I hope when they do, that (their house) is still here," he said.
Along South and Upcountry Maui is the West Maui wildfire, which has devastated the town of Lahaina. In total, six fires are still burning, in what Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is calling the worst natural disaster in the state's history. At press time, the confirmed death toll is at 80 but state officials have warned that number could rise, as the search for missing persons is still underway.
"They're still finding bodies," said Cipro. "Not just in town but in the water," as many ran into the ocean to escape the flames. So far, he said he has not heard any names he recognizes among the dead or injured and hopes it stays that way.
More Westminster couple home from Hawaii aim to help those devastated by the Maui wildfires
Cipro has many friends and family in Lahaina. "Everybody that I know all lost their home or business or both," he said. "It hits me in the heart, because it’s one thing when you watch something on TV, seeing Oklahoma has a tornado, you think, 'Wow, that’s tough for those guys,' but to see it right here, parts of the town burnt to the ground, happening to people that I know — I feel for them."
With Lahaina fires about 80% contained, residents have only just been allowed to return West Maui as of Friday, but a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is in effect and areas of Lahaina are still off limits. Phone service has yet to be operational in parts of the town so many people are still waiting to hear from friends and loved ones.
Those most important to him have been accounted for. "There are a few people that I know who I haven’t heard from but know their houses burned from other people," he said. "Family is your No. 1 concern but then you start thinking, ‘What about this guy who lives down the street, or this guy?’."
In addition to the billions of dollars of property damage, "a lot of cultural, spiritual and historical stuff has been destroyed that can’t be replaced," said Cipro. "The history of Lahaina is now history."
Gone native
Cipro mourns the loss of life and culture as much as any Hawaiian, having moved to the state in 1973 with this month marking 50 years in Hawaii. He grew up in the Belmont Hill neighborhood in Worcester, attending St. John's High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He graduated early in March 1973. "That was a time when it was real hard to find any kind of job," he said, and he had to search further afield.
His brother had recently opened a golf course in Wailea and encouraged Cipro to join him there, saying he could get him a job with Hawaiian Airlines. "I thought, hmm, stay in Worcester and look for a job or get a job in Hawaii?"
Having retired three years ago after 47 years with the company, Cipro is now married with three grown children and ready to help his adopted state literally rise from the ashes.
"You got to build back up. And we will," he said.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former Worcester resident Steve Cipro lives near fire in Hawaii
