Recovery Efforts for 2023 Lahaina Wildfires Supported by Conservation Experts
Hawaiian heritage sites impacted by the 2023 wildfires in Maui are receiving assistance from the National Endowment for the Humanities. A grant of $19,605.79 has been awarded to the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) to deploy two National Heritage Responders (NHR) to help with conservation efforts. Malia Van Heukelem and Liane Naʻauao, volunteer experts in cultural heritage preservation, will be focused on assisting the Lahaina Jodo Mission, a historic Buddhist temple damaged by the fires.
Last August, wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina, causing significant damage to many museums and heritage sites. Van Heukelem and Naʻauao, conservators from Oahu, have been working remotely to provide guidance on salvaging objects and safe handling practices. They will be traveling to Lahaina six times from July onwards to continue their efforts in preserving the area’s history and culture.
The National Heritage Responder program was created in response to natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with volunteers helping in areas affected by floods, hurricanes, and other emergencies. With 90 active volunteers and 35 on reserve, the program aims to safeguard sites, artifacts, and traditions for future generations to appreciate.
Source
Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.