I was deployed TO MAUI…

Dr. Mickey Stonier
Chaplain, San Diego Police & Fire Department
Pastor, The Rock Church, San Diego

October / November RCC Report

November 2023

I was deployed to Maui in September 2023 to serve as a Trauma Counselor to victims & survivors of the August Lahaina fire who lost homes, family members, businesses, & job revenue. The prior community of Lahaina was the primary resource of income on the island of Maui. One evening two weeks ago I had to return to the Kahului Airport to purchase a return ticket to LAX. It was late, there were no lines whatsoever at the Hawaiian Airlines ticketing counter, the airport was totally empty of travelers. I waited for almost twenty minutes while a ticketing agent was assisting a Filipino traveler... they seemed to know each other as their conversation went on for a very long time & seemed unusually intimate. The Hawaiian Airlines ticket agent then stepped through the counter & over the scales, he came out to physically embrace the Filipino gentleman, that lasted at least 60 seconds. When I stepped up to the counter I cautiously said to the agent, “may I ask what was happening in their conversation, it seemed incredible meaningful”. He explained they are both locals, they had both raised their kids together in Lahaina, same schools, same sports, same everything. His friend is a local multi generational fisherman, his commercial fishing boat was anchored in the Lahaina Harbor. This Pilipino brother lost his boat - he lost his home - he lost his job - both of his parents perished in the fire while inside their car trying to flee Lahina! The Hawaiian agent has seven adult children, three of them lost their Lahina homes. I just listened, hoping in some small way to encourage this Hawaiian Airlines agent for at least an hour. It was a holy moment 

It seems like every conversation this past seven weeks while deployed on Maui has looked & felt like this conversation. The immense pain, personal losses & suffering is unfathomable. The opportunity to serve & bring hope to those impacted by the Lahaina fire will be ongoing for many years to come for those of us who are called. It is a real honor & privilege to be accepted as an outsider by the local Hawaiian people. 

Rik Frye
Rock Community Chaplain