Maui Film Commissioner Tracy Bennett Describes Wildfire Devastation, Calls On Entertainment Community To Help: “Lahaina Is Just Decimated”
deadline.com“These are the kind of times that really test you,” said Maui Film Commissioner Tracy Bennett in an interview with Deadline today about the wildfires that have swept the island and, specifically, leveled historic Lahaina Town.
Bennett, who has been in the job 10 years, related a number of harrowing details from the past few days, but his chief message was one of strength, hope and community. “Hawaiians are about Ohana, family,” he said. “In times like this, it really shows their resilience.” Bennett is hoping that another sort of family, the entertainment community, will also pull together and support Maui in its time of need.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green estimated the cost to rebuild would be in the billions, and some have already stepped up to help. Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sánchez, vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, are establishing a $100 million fund to “help Maui get back on its feet now and over the coming years.” Bezos has a home on the island.
Oprah Winfrey, who owns more than 2,000 acres on Maui, has been seen handing out pillows and other supplies at a refugee center.
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