Historic church emerged unscathed in the Maui wildfires

A recently surfaced TikTok video displayed the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church standing completely intact and defiant amidst the ruins.

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A recently surfaced TikTok video displayed the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church standing completely intact and defiant amidst the ruins. With its origins tracing back to 1846, the church’s resilience now stands as a “beacon of hope” for the heartbroken islanders, Daily Mail reported.

Within the tight-knit church community, expressions of profound gratitude reverberate on social media.

“Praise the Lord… upon this rock I will build my church!!! come and follow me,” user Jeffrey Domdoma commented on Facebook.

Terrence Watanabe, a pastor of the nearby St. Anthony’s parish, encapsulated the prevailing sentiment to The Pillar Thursday. Despite the sweeping destruction, “Maria Lanakila [Our Lady of Victory], is still standing, as is the rectory,” he stated.

Catholic Charities in Hawaii have actively participated in the mobilized relief efforts and have “contacted the national office for some help and support,” Watanabe added.

Lahaina’s 150-year-old banyan tree also remained miraculously spared from the fire damage.

The charred fig tree stands over 60 feet tall and is reportedly the oldest of its kind in the United States, per Daily Mail. Like the church, it also stands as a poignant symbol of endurance for the grieving community, the outlet noted.

While the cause of the blaze that erupted Tuesday remains elusive, the flames were exacerbated by fierce winds and arid conditions, per Daily Mail.

The death toll currently stands at 80, with a staggering 1,000 individuals unaccounted for after three days, according to a recent statement from Maui County. The Mayor reported that most of the recovered bodies had been found on the streets, the outlet noted.