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Dwayne Johnson has taken to social media to express his sadness and gratitude amidst the devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The actor, who has Pacific Islander heritage and lived on Oahu during his teenage years, shared his heartache over the ongoing disaster and thanked those who have extended their support.
In an Instagram post dated August 13, Johnson expressed his emotions: "Heartbroken but our faith and mana is strong. First responders, health care teams, hotels, local businesses, boots on the ground organizations, and all our local heroes, stay strong - we love you and appreciate you."
He continued with a message of unity and strength for the local community: "All our local families, our ohana, our aiga, stay strong through this devastating time. Resilience and resolve are in our DNA. Our ancestors flow through our veins. This is our essence. This is our path. I love you. Stay strong."
The wildfires ignited on August 8, causing destruction including the loss of the historic town of Lahaina. The tragic toll stands at 96 confirmed fatalities, making it one of the deadliest fires in modern U.S. history. The crisis has also left thousands homeless.
In a video accompanying his post, Johnson expressed his heartbreak, sharing his anguish over the "complete destruction and devastation that has engulfed the island of Maui." The video featured scenes of first responders' heroic efforts. Johnson thanked everyone for their support and revealed ongoing communication with relief organizations in Hawaii, promising to share information and resources for those willing to help.
According to Hawaii's Emergency Management, as of August 10, six fires had burned over 2,000 acres across Maui and the Big Island. A spokesperson for Hawaii's Department of Defense stated on August 14 that search and response efforts are intensifying, with Maui transitioning into a recovery phase, expected to be the most prolonged part of the journey.
