About 4,000 people have attended a ceremony to mourn the victims of the massive wildfires on Hawaii’s Maui Island.
The ceremony was held at a beach in Lahaina on Thursday, one year after the fires occurred.
Some of the participants paddled out to the sea in canoes and on surfboards, formed a circle on the water and commemorated the victims.
The fires spread to the central part of Lahaina, once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, leaving 102 people dead and burning down about 2,200 homes.
One participant said he feels sad and happy at the same time. He explained that he was caught in the fire in Lahaina and spent five hours in the sea.
He said the ceremony is like a closure for everyone in Lahaina, and it’s nice to see people come together.
About 12,000 people lost their homes and had to live in hotels and other temporary accommodations. Most of the affected residents who remained on the island have moved into provisional housing. Rebuilding of homes has begun.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green called the past year “a year of survival.” He said, “Now, we will begin to rebuild.”
He announced that reconstruction efforts will involve cultural restoration.