‘Heartbreaking’: Maui businesses ruined by Lala’s forceful winds

MAKAWAO (HawaiiNewsNow) – By Monday, Makawao’s Baldwin Avenue was bustling with foot traffic once again, following a lull during Hurricane Lala over the weekend.

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Walking past the facades of some longstanding local businesses, one would think they were unscathed by Lala’s destruction.

The backs of the businesses, however, tell a different story.

Whipping winds sent several large eucalyptus trees crashing down onto four buildings, including lei shop Haku Maui.

“The top of the eucalyptus tree fell over here and and so a lot of these beams were down we took some of them out yesterday so we could salvage what we had in our shop,” store owner Britney Allencastre said. “We built our whole life into making this place special for our community and for our family, and in December we would have 10 years here and to see it destroyed is just heartbreaking.”

Right next door at ‘Ohana Island Grindz, a large tree completely wiped out the back patio and destroyed an employee bathroom.

Restaurant owner Tori Olaitiman said, “We just couldn’t even believe it, because we couldn’t think that something that so big and something so permanent in nature could come down so effortlessly.”

A jewelry shop and food truck mauka of Olaitiman’s eatery were also struck by downed trees.

“That’s what really hurt us was that, even though our community is so great and all of us are in together, so much has happened to this island and our people in recent years that this just felt like another blow,” Olaitiman added.

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The ravaging winds came about a week after the third anniversary of the Maui wildfires, which galvanized community members to rally around those in need.

The same is happening after Lala, as Allencastre and Olaitiman are grateful for all the support they have been shown.

Both said they are still figuring out damage estimates, insurance, and how they will fare financially.

“We’re all just kind of taking it day by day. Today we told ourself that we’re going to try to smile and find our silver lining, and right now our silver lining is our community,” Olaitiman shared.

Allencastre echoed, “I know that so many people are going through so much right now and this could have gone so much worse and I’m grateful that no one got hurt, but it’s still very hard and I don’t know where we go from here.”

Loved ones encouraged the businesses to start a GoFundMe page, which are linked below if you would like to donate to their recovery efforts:

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Haku Maui donation page

Page for ‘Ohana Island Grindz