Local chef with ties to Lahaina expresses fear for family

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Today was another hard day for those who live in Lahaina, Hawaii, as they returned to homes that were no longer there.

The power is out, the death toll is climbing, and the heart break is felt around the world. 

We spoke with a local chef with ties to Lahaina. He grew up in downtown Lahaina and moved to Milwaukee just last year. The loss of Sione Moonia's hometown is hurting. 

"They're safe now but just going through that, it was horrific to see," said Moonia. 

Moonia said it's like a horror film he can't get out of his head. His nieces, nephews, and brother-in-law had to run for their lives as the fire moved in. 

"It was kind of just grab what you need to grab, get everything and let's just go, leave everything behind. We live like a little bit off Front Street. Most of my family was right in downtown Lahaina," Said Moonia. 

Help had arrived as you can see in the pictures sent from Moonia's Family, as those left homeless seek shelter together in blankets and under tents. 

They seem kind of shocked with what's going on right now. They say man it's just like watching a movie, like how you see it in a movie everything blow up, it's just like that," said Moonia. 

Another family member took a video driving past Lahaina. A neighborhood once filled with so much Aloha is now a mangled mess.

"There's a saying Lahaina Strong, so I know Lahaina will always come back, but it's gonna take some time to come back," said Moonia.

Moonia's family is now working with Maui County to raise funds to help deliver propane tanks, batteries, candles, etc. to those in need. Click here to see their GoFundMe.

"God works in mysterious ways you know so to me, for people around the world, my message for people around the world would be don't take anything for granted because it could just snap just like that. Know that you're not alone, know that everybody's here to support you," said Moonia.