NEWS
Firefighters examined the blazing fires in August on Maui. CREATIVE COMMONS
By Leilani Nye and Kaila Powell
Editors and Staff Writers
The wildfires that devastated Maui in August also impacted the Konawaena community, which experienced a deep sense of loss as well as togetherness.
On Aug. 8th, the Maui fire burned an estimated 2,168 acres of land. High winds and exposed power lines set fire to dry bush, which rapidly engulfed Lahaina, and parts of West Maui, leaving the town of Lahaina and its rich history in shambles.
Killing an estimated 97 people, it is one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history in more than a century. Massive amounts of structural loss and overall damage was created, and prices to restore it are immense.
Kellye Krug, the athletics director at Konawaena High School, said that as a Native Hawaiian, she feels deeply affected by the tragedy: “So anything of this nature—in the state of Hawaii, it wouldn't have mattered what island it was on, it would've broken my heart.”
Konawaena students help paint murals at Hungry Honu Cafe
Editor and Staff Writer
Ali’i Drive in Kona, Hawai’i, has now acquired Hungry Honu, a cafe and smoothie bar opened on June 1st of 2023. Owners Alicia and Tim Dalehouse, a married couple, opened this shop in hopes to revitalize the shops in Kailua Village, and to bring the community together.
On June 1st, 2023, the community welcomed Hungry Honu, a new addition to the town of Kona. Hungry Honu is located in the prime of Ali’i Drive and is reinventing the space. With eye-catching paintings and a welcoming vibe, Hungry Honu is the best place to stop by and grab a bite to eat, and maybe even chat with the owners themselves.
A new jellyfish mural at Hungry Honu. COURTESY PHOTO
Alicia Dalehouse, one of the owners of Hungry Honu, spoke about their overall goals with the cafe and what they wanted to send as a message to the community of not just Kona, but the whole island. “We want the community to know that we’re not just here to, you know, earn money. We just want to give back, so we try to offer our businesses. Some of the schools we’ve supported, so we like to give back. We want to bring life back down to Ali’i Drive.”