Maui Surf Community Honored for Heroic 2023 Wildfire Relief

Back in August of last year, Maui suffered an unimaginable tragedy. A wildfire tore through the island, thousands of structures crumbled amidst the inferno, and over 100 people lost their lives. It was one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in the past 100 years.

During the catastrophe, and in the weeks and months following, the surf community rallied for the island of Maui. For example, as the blaze raged on, local surfers and water safety crews mobilized their jet skis to deliver aid to those in need, and utilized their properties as distribution centers – surfers like Kai Lenny and Archie Kalepa.

Now, Lenny and Kalepa have accepted ESPN’s Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award on behalf of the Maui surfing community for their efforts.

Related: Before and After Photos of Lahaina Following the Devastating Maui Wildfires

“As the wildfires unfolded, Maui surfers and water safety teams were some of the first to respond to the disaster, and their responses proved to be critical in keeping people alive, as the fires had cut thousands of people off from escape routes or emergency aid,” the ESPYs noted . “Surfers like Kai Lenny, who immediately started dropping off food, water and other supplies to Lāhainā via jet ski because authorities were still blocking the roads, rushed to fellow islanders’ aid at first light the next morning.”

They continued: “Hawaiian surfing legend Archie Kalepa used his front yard to establish a communication hub and supply depot, and he led a volunteer army to get these supplies to the survivors that needed them most. There also were dozens of other local surfers and watermen who served on the front lines as firefighters and EMTs, while others made and served meals to help those who were displaced.”

As for Kai, here's what he had to say about the award: “When you're trying to help other people, you're not thinking about yourself or the recognition you might get from it. I just did the best I could to help and so many people on Maui turned up. The award is for the entire Maui community because everyone dropped what they were doing to support.”

He continued:

“With the aloha spirit you're not necessarily thinking of the future or the past, you're just living in the moment. When you live that way It's easy to do the right thing. The right thing in this situation was to turn up for your neighbors, turn up for your friends, family, and try to be there when it's the most critical moments of people's lives. At the end of the day, if you just let the Aloha spirit guide you, you'll always be making the right decision.”

Of course, there are many more unnamed surfers and humanitarians who were involved in the relief efforts as Maui underwent this terrible tragedy. To all those who risked their lives to save those of others, we salute you.

For those who want to help, Kai has a non-profit called the Positively Kai Foundation : "The organization inspires, encourages, and supports the next generation’s pursuit of their passions and ambitions in life, through positive experiences and lessons in and on the ocean. All donations go to the families affected by the Lahaina and Kula Fires."

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