Inside the Restricted Burn Zone of Lahaina - What’s It Like Now? 🇺🇸 

► Jonny’s Gofundme: gofund.me/6a7536fd This is the beginning of a 7-part Hawaii series. After making this video, I returned to my hotel with many different emotions coursing through me. One was of frustration that Lahaina still looks like this eight months after the fire, which is completely unacceptable. If this was a priority for the US government, things would look much differently. Through experience, I've realized that finding honest groups to donate to (while I'm sure some exist) are in the minority. Therefore, I have difficulty recommending things to you, since I have no idea where the money will land. Jonny didn't ask for it when we met up, so I decided if someone wants to give, the best place I can recommend is to Jonny and his family to help rebuild their home and businesses. If you're interested in doing so, here's his Gofundme: gofund.me/6a7536fd or Venmo: venmo.com/u/Jonathan-Varona-1

Still having to pay a mortgage on a property that no longer exists, and not yet allowed to rebuild on land you own! Complete and utter madness.

I’ve only been watching for 2 min and Peter has already covered more of this disaster than any news organization.

Maui Local here, I really appreciate you Peter for spreading awareness of what is happening in Lahaina and the process. When the fire broke out back in August nobody really knew what was happening in Lahaina. It was one of the most scariest days of my life, there was no communication coming in and out of Lahaina till around midnight I saw the video of front street on fire. After that video, it just kept getting worse and worse. My mom lived in Lahaina and the uncertainty to not knowing if she made it out was the worst 24 hours of my life. Fortunately she got out before it got to her place. It still haunts me to this day and my heart still aches for the lives lost.

So tragic not only do you lose from the fire but the system insults you. I am so sorry for Hawaiians struggles . Bless yall hugs to all.

Does anyone else find it absolutely sickening that the victims of this disaster have to worry about money and such while or government is sending BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES to fund wars? Absolutely sickening!

I'm also a Lahaina resident, owner of a home in the burn zone, and also lost my business in downtown Lahaina in the fire. Jonny did an excellent job outlining everything and was spot on about the situation here! Thank you for this video.

This interview should be picked up by every major news network.

Their situation still breaks my heart . I cant imagine going through this tragedy without nitemares . Praying for you all .

Peter’s videos are quickly becoming one of my favorite YT channels. No fluff, no politics, just Americans dealing with life. Thanks for the purity, Peter.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalism Peter. No joke.

I am from Georgia and was completely shocked by what took place on Maui. The images are simply unbelievable. I have never been there and at my age, it seems unlikely that I will ever make it, but my wife and I are compelled to try to help. After the fires were finally out, It took a couple of days for us to make a connection to a local resident who we could directly sponsor, but we were eventually successful. It's not as much as we would like to send, but we have been sending the interest from our savings account to a particular local family every month. We plan to do this indefinitely and are more than happy to do it. I am hopeful that these few dollars every month are helping them a little and the money is making some impact on the local economy. Lahaina and Maui deserve better than what happened, so help if you can. This is a great channel. Please keep up the good work.

This guy's smile says so much about his character. He seems like a really good person.

This interview deserved to be on main stream. I learned so much about Hawaii’s situation and it’s only half of the video.

Jonny used to own the surfshack i taught at. wonderfully composed interview, sending much love to him, Aina and the kids, they've always been so calm and supportive. these incredible humans deserve all the help they can get because they help everyone in their path.

They think we will forget, I will never forget.😢 Thank you brother 🙏

This guy has a very balanced and healthy way of thinking, he gets the nuance that comes with any situation. I really hope that Lahaina get's whatever help it wants and rebuilds for all of those who lost. Such a beautiful place that needs to be treasured.

Billions going out of this country and to people not from here, and here we have this. It makes no sense. Thanks for shining a big light on this Peter.

You gotta love how they are waiting out the residents so to squeeze them until they can't hold on any longer and have to sell.

Peter, not sure if you read all the comments to your vids, but your recent visits to Maui struck me close. My son had lived on Maui for 13 or 14 years, mostly upcountry. He was in Mariposa, California, for our family reunion when the fire occurred, and couldn't get back for several weeks. After being back a few months, he said he couldn't stay there anymore, there were too many factors, from financial to emotional, that prevented that. We had lived on the Big Island, still have many friends there, and what you captured, with Alika, really captured the essence of what it was to experience Hawaii, Aloha, and it's real spirit. Mahalo.

THANKYOU for putting us there . Such Horrific terror and loss is difficult to fathom. Our prayers are with you like the air and ocean.

Leave it up to Peter he goes to Hawaii and heads straight to the burn zone to show the real. Saturday mornings with Peter is a great start to the day show em!! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸!!

Top Videographer Award has to be Santenello Productions. Your body of work is so diverse it's amazing. A man with a camera out performs the traditional industry. Keep it up and as always, we look forward to where you will take us next.❤

Thank you for continuing the conversation and keeping Lahaina on people's minds. ❤ I will continue to pray and help however I can.

Thanks for showing the banyan. It's a glimpse many of us have been aching to see.

I'm from Paradise California and it's crazy hearing his story and how similar it is to the community of Paradise.

I don’t trust a lot of media these days but I trust Peter. Thank you for always keeping it real mate!

As a former resident of Hawaii our hearts go out to all the locals!! I'll hit up the go fund me for sure! Thanks for bringing us the real boots on the ground story.

The houses were melted but the trees are left green and perfect..

The firefighter has a mind of steel. Probably because of his training, and because he has seen others lose everything long before this fire. I wish him the best.

A year after I moved from Maui I lost my home in the fire that took Paradise. You are so right about your mental state. Unfortunately PTSD lasts much longer. Yes the insurance is an important issue. Mine was up to date. FEMA gave us 700 and with insurance got nothings else. Always get full replacement value on insurance. I was okay but so many were not. My advice is get an independent adjuster to go over your policy to make sure you get what you need. Not sure about Hawaii…but because Paradise was declared a disaster, they’re supposed to pay you all of your insurance to its limits, including your housing. This is what they did for Paradise. I sold my lot paid off my mortgage and moved on. It would have been years before I could have built. My hearts go out to you and all In Lahaina. So sorry for your loss.

Our own land looks like this but keep sending billions to Ukraine and Israel. Beyond ridiculous.

Peter, your show is absolutely, hands down my favorite show on RU-vid or anywhere, for that matter. You have an unmatched natural ability to get people to open up, be welcoming and TRUST YOU to tell the truth and do the right thing with their stories. I’m a commercial and documentary producer and I’ve travel to several countries (definitely not as many as you), and my favorite part has always been to get invited to dinner at one of the local’s homes in a third world country or in the inner cities of the United States. I have found these people to be the purest, most giving and honest Humans. Definitely more than the many incredibly wealthy individuals, A-list celebrities and politicians, I’ve encountered in my life and business. I can tell that you have worked very hard and placed yourself in this blessed position to meet so many people and experience so many cultures. Keep doing what you’re doing. It really helps us all realize how alike we are and just want to love, be loved, and support our family and friends… YOUR SHOW IS IMPORTANT‼️

I am so glad you have gone to Maui. This will bring Lahaina the attention it deserves that the Main Stream Media has remained silent on. Thank you Peter. It's Citizen journalist''s like you who get the real word out to people.

I lost my house in a Santa Barbara wildfire in a similar manner. It was a minor fire up in the mountains and then the wind started blowing 70 miles an hour down canyon and my house was gone in a matter of hours along with all my neighbors. Then the county Published how they were going to clean things up rapidly and streamline the permitting process and help the community rebuild. And the insurance companies took out large ads saying they were there to help. Meanwhile, in the background, the county was tripping all over their feet and they absolutely did not streamline the permitting process, we experienced a barrage of ridiculously frustrating delays and all kinds of permitting nonsensical hoops to jump through. The insurance companies literally screwed me over in the backside, good contractors were hard to find and there was a wealth of people that were more than happy to rip you off in your time of need. Almost a year later virtually nothing had been done, I wasn't even allowed to clean up my own damn yard! Surviving the wild fire was easy, the real trauma comes when you try to get back on your feet and simply rebuild. It was an awful process.

My heart goes out to these people. But how can you look at a totally burned down home and see a tree and foliageright next to it, not burned?????

My thoughts and prayers are will everyone affected by the fires. Thank you for sharing this. It is hard for people who do not or did not live there to comprehend the devastation, not only to the land, but to the people... it is massive.

Hey Peter. I’m an electrical contractor on the West Coast, and there are a lot of barriers that make the reconstruction difficult. Ships going US port to US port require all US crews, so shipping goods is difficult without a waiver from the government (this was also an issue rebuilding Puerto Rico). Even getting parts to Maui, only Hawaiian electrical contractors are allowed to work in Hawaii, with Hawaiian trained journeymen (must have completed apprenticeships in Hawaii). I’d love to send a crew for a month, but even if someone totally paid there way, they couldn’t work without relaxing protections which, normally protecting Hawaiian and US workers, make the rebuild difficult. Lahaina has had a special place in my heart the last 35 years, I wish I could help. Thank you for making this video giving an inside view.

Thank you for bringing attention to this. Just after the fires when people were asking questions they were told "This is not the time to ask those questions". It doesn't seem like the answers will be coming anytime soon.

I wish I had the funds and the time to come help build this community!!! Thanks for the video Peter! You did an awesome job capturing his story and just showing the world that there is lot of help still needed in Maui and will be for a long while!!

Your channel is fascinating. Having gone through two floods in our basement in less than a month, I feel deeply for this man's story. Our basement is bad, but what he's going through is unbelievable.

Ronald Reagan once said, "The nine most terrifying word in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'."

You'll own nothing and be happy! -WEF

I’ve lived in Maui for 25 years. I’ve been working with wildfire survivors for the last 6 months. We are making progress. It’s painfully slow but it is a complex system that is operating. I’ve had my moments of utter frustration but I haven’t given up and am here for the king haul. We will be ok. I feel optimistic because I have seen how strong the people are here. It’s always been that you have to really want to live here to do it. It’s a sacrifice to live here but for me it’s the people here. I’ve lived all over the world and this is my home because of its people. I’ve raised my children here. There is a lot I’m sad to see but I refuse to give up. I feel the Hawaiian people have been through a lot and will come out ok. I’m going to continue to do all I can to make sure that happens. 🌸🌸

Absolutely devastating and heartbreaking!!! The Hawaiian islands are so close to paradise and it makes me so sad to see the people struggle so much!!!

My family loves Lahaina and visits yearly. We actually had just left Maui a week prior to the fire. Our first and last meal of our trip is always Mala. Our family resides in Colorado and unfortunately 2 years ago a historic wildfire swept through our community, burning thousands of homes to the ground as well as businesses. Within 6-8 months most of the debris was cleaned up and today, 2 years later, 80% of homes are nearly rebuilt. I am utterly heartbroken and in pure disbelief to see nothing recovered or rebuilt for the people of Lahaina. The recovery and care provided to the locals and natives is deplorable.

this man's courage and perseverance is inspiring

This story rips my heart apart. I love how you just let people say their piece. You get such a beautiful insight.

Thank you Peter for spreading awareness. I have watched your channel for a while now and I dont think there is a better person to do this. Thank you thank you thank you.

This man is incredibly humble and well spoken.

I was there at Lahaina Beach Resort (as a tourist) the morning the fires happened. It was beyond windy. The power was out in the whole town and everyone was scrambling at the Safeway to grab food and lines were long everywhere that was open. It honestly felt like the world was ending in a way. After my unsuccessful attempt to get food I had to find like a hidden road to leave town to grab some food in the next town over, because they blocked majority of the exits in and out of town. I don’t know how or why; but Lady Luck provided me a way out of town before it was on fire. When I was driving back to Lahaina, it was blocked off because later that evening the fires had started again and you know the rest; that night I slept on the road that led into town in my rental car that night. All my belongings are in the hotel I was staying in, ironically; the place I was staying was one of the only buildings that survived the fire (so regardless if I had left or not I would have been okay, but who knows), I left all my belongings in my room and apparently they are still in the hotel but they won’t let anyone in even after 8 months. It’s so odd that it’s been this long and no one has helped any of the locals, it’s sad because they want to do something but it seems whoever is responsible is making it impossible for them. I hope they are able to recover very soon, much love ❤

Thanks for sharing this with us!

Peter asks the right questions, finds the real people and is a real gentleman while he's at it. Godspeed Pete.

Need a full nonbiased investigation. Hold these people in power and those who "followed orders" accountable.

Mahalo Peter for being on the ground in Lahaina. I was born on Oahu, raised in Kona, and currently living in Nor Cal. What I respected most about your piece was your ability to not promote and politicize the situation. You come across as respectful, caring, and let a local kamaaina speak his (and his families) truth. From a Kanaka Maoli perspective I appreciate your effort and your restraint . Hawaiian people very seldom get that respect from mainlanders. True professional. Mahalo Nui, Rock Kahele

This was a great interview Peter, eye opening and i wish this gentleman and his family and friends the quick recovery they deserve. They deserve so much than what has been given.

THANK YOU for sharing this video!!

Criminals protected by their own type. Heart goes out to the people of Lahaina. ❤ from Uk.

Bro you have a gift, and it is the gift of TRUST. People trust you to tell their stories. What an honor.

Crazy, I've watched 20 mins of this and learned more about what's going on there than from ANY media agency..

Peter your work is awesome brother!!! You my friend are a REAL journalist. Much respect. Sending love to all affected by this tragedy.

This guy's attitude is everything

as a visitor of the Island yearly, our hearts go out to u your candor about the situation and real details is commendable and appreciated. stay strong.

You are incredibly respectful Peter. Thank you for being who you are and the amazing videos you bring us. From Canada. ❤

Nice work Peter. Just got back from Kauai where my buddy has been housing friends, 2 families from Lahaina: listening to the helplessness and impending sense of loss that they have experienced. Jonny, besides being a cool cat , defines the Hawaiian spirit, and real Mana. He and his family will persevere. Thanks again for the authentic tour and conversation

10 yrs ago, i as a tourist walked through Lahaina. I had a beer at an old whaling bar with a guy singing guitar. The stars were above, weather perfect. And i thought "lahaina is one of the most special , beautiful places on our planet." I loved it there. We, as Americans, are so lucky to have you in our nation. Mahalo, from cold and icy Chicago!

So outrageous. I lived on Maui fir years, but haven’t been back since the ‘80’s, but to hear what happened is so sad and I feel devastated to hear of the smart city plans that were happening prior to the fire-this is not a wildfire and many more died than was reported. They need to keep investigating this entire thing.

AMAZING STORY AND VIDEO!! Really helped me understand what is going on there 8 months later as well. Thank you both for this ground zero insight from an amazing local resident.

I live in Indiana. And it pisses me off how they just approved another 90+ Billion dollars to be sent over seas. But people here in the US that suffered through a catastrophic disaster at no fault of there own and lost everything. Aren’t getting much of anything. $700 and if you had insurance they won’t help you and just let them deal with it

Because he's a firefighters, he had to be careful to not talk about the specific wrongdoings, from all the uppers. I do appreciate the information. Makes me so sad.

I just can’t even imagine. I always fought and struggled in my life to keep my family with roof and food, I can’t even imagine losing your home this way.

Great interview Peter!

When this first happened, and I heard the word FEMA, my heart sank.

Showing the fire victims on the fence on the end of the video brought tears to my eyes. I am so touched by this video and had no idea what these people are still going through. Thank you, Peter, for opening our eyes to this devastating situation. My prayers and funds will go towards helping these people!

Peter I just love your channel i watch all your videos & tell all my family about your channel. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO!!!!!

Hi Peter,I Really Love watching and learning from your Shows

Thank you for doing what the entire media refuses to do

I looked for the comment but didnt see it. Hundreds of billions to fund and continue funding war. Hundreds of billions in war equipment left behind in Afghanistan. Yet we wont help these folks be made whole again? The government should ABSOLUTELY step in as a stop gap from what the insurance covers and what the actual cost of being made whole again is.

Excellent video on what’s really happening in Lahaina. Thank you for sharing your story.

Excellent. Thanks for posting Jonny's GFM.

Currently several parishes in Jamaica are undergoing a water crisis. There are over 2000 fresh rivers and streams, including blue holes, waterfalls and many springs available but there is no water in the pipes. Fires have been breaking out in the morass and the firetrucks have no water to extinguish it. The army was called out last week to help put out some of the fires. Unusually high winds are a hindrance. Meanwhile there's been closed door meetings and protests due to that. Many of the people live on ancestral land without deeds or title to their property. Although many do. Hopefully it isn't coming from the DS playbook, but it seems all too familiar. Prayers up for Jamaica!

I’m in Kauai right now and literally thought to myself @PeterSantenello needed to come do a Hawaii video series. There’s a lot of great stories to be shared here. Thanks for the work you continue to do in telling the untold stories through the people who lived them.

Really an excellent glimpse into the place, and the situation.

Thanks for doing this video

Prayers going out to everyone involved. Who else appreciates Peter sharing these true inside looks?!

Thank you for showing this one. The people there deserve better help. Our corrupt government can help everyone outside our country but not our own people.

What an amazing story.... Johnny is one of the most emotionally mature people I've ever seen on camera. What perspective.

This was a great interview. Appreciated! Sending Aloha..

Peter isn't suicidal, just making that statement now.

In 2022, I spent three weeks in Maui, and most of that was in Lahaina. I went to Jonny’s surf shop, and I spent time talking to one of his employees about surfing, being new to sport; despite her strong opinion to do a lesson, I told her I’d figure it out. When I realized that was Jonny’s shop in this video, all those memories came flooding back. My buddy and I spent a lot of time in town, we slept in a van on the beach just outside of Lahaina, we ate the amazing food, basked in the sun, interacted with the locals, made friends, and drank in every single moment. It broke my heart when I heard what had happened to the community of Lahaina. It is almost by Providence I would find myself the following year in Medical Lake with the state as a wildland firefighter fighting the Medical Lake fire. Although I don’t know Jonny, I feel a sense of kindred spirit to him being as close as I was to his business, his community, and his hometown. There is a lot of emotion thinking about this topic, but what I come away with is realizing that being close to people is one thing, but community goes beyond oneself and knowing others; it requires investing and contributing to the communion of people as a whole, through love, and through selflessness- and that’s the Gospel. I pray that for the community of Lahaina. I have seen the community of Medical Lake come together, and I have seen that area, just as Jonny said, they have grown and people are moving back into their homes. There’s a lot of powers at be, a lot of agendas, both evil and good, and despite it all, we have to ask ourselves through these scenarios that we view from afar on our screens, “What would I do?” Just as the Boy Scout motto says, “Be prepared,” we ourselves need to be ready for what may come to our communities like Lahaina, Medical Lake, and so many more communities in 2023, and now this year in 2024. There’s so much that needs to happen in Lahaina, and I pray they will get the help they honestly deserve. @PeterSantenello, thank you. The algorithm did something right for once, and I stumbled across your video. Thank you, and God bless you. Jonny, I doubt you may read this, but I just wanted to say thank you for all you are doing, and being the man and husband that your wife and kids look up to, leading your family courageously through this season. I pray that God will show His mighty work through you, that those in need that you interact with will be fed, clothed and healed because of your leading in the face of turmoil. May the Gospel go forth. Amen.

Great interview about a difficult situation.

Thank you very much for sharing this

Johnny seems very well grounded and well spoken. I can’t imagine dealing with all that.

DEW.... The amount of pure evil being inflicted on people is unbelievable.

Excellent interview. ⚡️

Incredibly level headed, and sound point of perspective.

Love this video. The gentleman showing you around is different from your recent posts: straight shooter, serious... set the right tone for the subject matter. Thank you for taking your platform and giving a voice and real on-the-ground coverage to U.S. citizens who have been forgotten... Great example of so many issues: govt red tape, illogical solutions, unfairness of situations, environmental repercussions... sigh...

Thank you for not calling it a wildfire.

Thank you Peter for this video. My heart hurts for the people affected by the wildfires. ❤❤❤❤

From someone who used to drive a truck for a demolition company. 8 months is unacceptable. Every piece of property should be clear by now. So these people can rebuild and get back to normal. They are dragging their feet for a reason. We could haul i full 2 story house in 4 loads. Theres no reason they dont have atleast 10 properties a day cleared.