Some East Maui residents are trapped after Lala washes away bridge

NAHIKU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Several residents on Maui’s east side remain trapped after Hurricane Lala dumped nearly four feet of rain, washing away the only bridge in and out of Lower Nahiku.

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Nahiku resident Kurtis Chong Kee captured dramatic video of a violent Makapipi Stream surging during Hurricane Lala this past weekend.

Residents in Lower Nahiku are used to living without power and cell phone service, but the collapse of the bridge has left them without access to food, water, or emergency supplies.

Close call during collapse

Russell Stoner, who lives on the other side of the bridge, was about to cross back home when a neighbor warned him away moments before the collapse.

“As we walked off, the thing went. This side kicked up and then I shot up about, I don’t know, five or six feet in there, landed over here. So real close call,” Stoner said.

The floodwaters ripped through properties and washed away the only exit for residents. While Stoner set up a temporary wood plank so he could crawl across to go to work, he warned that the passage is dangerous, especially for other residents.

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“There are older people that live on the other side of the bridge that I’m really not sure how they’re going to get in and out, how they’re going to get supplies in and out,” Stoner said. “We’re working on trying to figure out some sort of walking bridge for them, but it’s a 40-foot span. So, creating a safe walking bridge is, you know, it’s a bit of a feat, and we haven’t figured out a solution yet.”

Nahiku residents said that while the county maintained the wooden bridge for decades, they claim it was left to deteriorate. Out of safety concerns, residents fixed it themselves in 2019.

“Over time, they’ve proven to not care about the few residents on this side,” Stoner said. “If this was in Kihei, it would have been fixed real quick. But out here, it’s not enough voters to really have financial gain for the powers to help us out.”

Nahiku residents are calling on Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen to help them secure access to much-needed supplies and restore access to a nearby coastal area that many families rely on for fishing.

In response, county officials said they are looking into the ownership of the bridge.

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Those wanting to help the trapped residents can contact Russell Stoner here.