LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – He calls himself “Savage,” which may be synonymous with his determination to help people who lost everything in the devastating fire a year ago, Aug. 8, 2023.
“Oh man. It’s surreal. I was supposed to be here five days,” Savage just told FOX5 from Lahaina.
Ten months later, Savage is still volunteering at a distribution site in Napili, near Lahaina, which was quickly set up after the fire broke out.
Savage says his Las Vegas church group talked to him about going in October. He did and set up a tent at the site. He has lived there ever since.
The Napili Noho is still a very busy place. Volunteers provide food and other daily necessities to families who lost homes or apartments.
More than 100 people died in the fire and it burned more than 2200 homes, apartments or other structures. Many people are still living in hotels.
Savage says other distribution sites have closed, which has increased the numbers at the Napili Noho. He says it previously served 150 families a day but now it’s up to around 220.
“I let our volunteers know that we’re here far beyond resources. We’re here to spread love and Aloha. We’re here to uplift and encourage as folks move forward,” said Savage.
Savage says the distribution site is expected to be moved and rebuilt. That may happen around November. Savage has committed to stay on until at least then. After that it’s unclear when Savage will leave Maui. He misses people back home.
“My church! Awaken in Las Vegas. God bless family. I miss you all so much. I don’t know when I’m going to see you again. Hopefully soon,” he said. The distribution site was closed on Thursday for the one-year anniversary of the fire. Savage attended a paddle out ceremony in the ocean to remember the people impacted by the tragedy.
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