Haiku families still trapped after Hurricane Lane; rain from Olivia didn't help
HAIKU, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - A road in Haiku collapsed when rain from the outer bands of Hurricane Lane hit the Valley Isle weeks ago. Rain from Tropical Storm Olivia hasn't helped the situation.
Two families are still trapped and one of them is a family of seven with twin baby boys.
Nanuk and Indio will turn one years old on Sunday. But they are unable to have a birthday party because their family is stuck.
The only way in and out is by foot.
The first way is to hike down into the huge hole and cross a river that is now higher than usual because of rain from Tropical Storm Olivia.
"This is not too bad at all. But the other side, it's muddy, it's slippery. It's not a good access at all. It's dangerous to come down carrying the babies," said the babies' father, Ronnie Panzarini.
The other way is through a tiny hole that Panzarini cut just to get to his neighbor's property who lives on an entirely different road.
However, in two days that home will be rented out and they can no longer use the route. So, starting Saturday, the river route will be the only way.
In the meantime, Panzarini has a hard time getting to his construction job because his flatbed truck is stuck on the other side of the massive hole with all his tools.
His wife, Clarissa Hempel, works from home so she can be with the children. Her job requires internet, which they don't have either. In addition, cell phone service is spotty.
"I feel a little scared over here. If we need an ambulance, if there is a fire, we're stuck. There's no way for them to get in here and take care of us," she said.
Maui County officials said it would cost three million dollars to repair the road, which could take up to six months. They said they have come up with a temporary solution, which would be to create a new entry way and gravel road through the back. They said that could be done in days. However, they said they are facing challenges with some landowners.
Panzarini is begging them for compassion.
"Otherwise we're gonna go bankrupt…and that for us is devastating."
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