Joe Schilling was known by many names in his home of West Maui.
He was known by locals as Maui Joe, and Uncle Joe.
He had many hobbies, and accumulated a large collection of bullet shells that he searched for on the beaches and in the forests.
And prepared and served for everyone as a staple delicious sugar toast.
A longtime resident of the island, Joe had recently moved to the Hale Mahaolu Eono Senior Housing site in downtown Lahaina, and at 67, was one of the youngest residents, and most of his neighbors were elderly women.
We know now that the majority of the victims, both already identified and those unseen since, skew past 70 years of age.
Much like covid in its own way, these deaths further emphasizes that the elderly are at greater risk in fast-moving calamities.
We piece together what happened from his text messages to his sister Penny, right before and during the evacuation.
There was no central figure to help evacuate the Senior Center, it was basically every man for themselves.
Which in its very core compelled Joe.
He aided two elderly residents, who survived, to the evacuation site.
And then he went back, and by this point all the buildings adjacent were already aflame.
Said his sister Penny, “From what we know, when Joe started to evacuate, there were elderly people in his community who were stranded.
He helped a elderly woman to escape and she is the one who verified what happened.”
She turned around for him, and he was gone.
Said Penny, “He wasn't behind her. He saw people in need and he just couldn't leave them there."
Yes, after she too was helped and relatively safe, he went back yet again.
He knew who were wheelchair bound, and who found it difficult or impossible to walk.
He found and gathered four of them… found them in their rooms or laying in the hall, trying to drag themselves out.
Singularly alone and terrified.
By this time, the front of the building was on fire and impassable.
His last text sent said he had his neighbors in his apartment, and he was trying to keep the smoke out.
“We are trapped, can't see a thing, plus when u try to breath it burns ur lungs,” sent at 3:51 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
Within 20 minutes…. the building and its remaining occupants were no more.
Said Penny, “He hasn’t been found because it is all rubble, but they know where he is. The four other seniors perished with him.
Said his younger brother Dan, "He would never leave people behind. He spent his life identifying people who had a problem or needed help, and stepping in to help.
What Joe did allowed these people not to die alone.
That's the great gesture he did that he sacrificed himself for.”
Added Penny, "He couldn't have lived with himself if he'd left those people behind. I'm glad to share this story because noble people and noble acts need to be recognized. As a tribute to my brother, I want him to know that he's remembered.
I heartedly concur.
The GoFundMe for Joe.
The Loving Memory of Joseph Schilling
“Joe passed while aiding in evacuating five elderly people in his housing complex. Joe passed as a HERO. His character showed until his very last moments. To everybody who had the pleasure of meeting my Uncle Joe, count your lucky stars; rarely do you get to meet such a genuine soul.
Let me tell you about the man he was. Caring, outgoing, funny, easygoing, joyous, and LOVING. Joe was informally adopted into the Bluh Family, and it makes my heart full knowing how much of a blessing it is to say that. From the time me and my four brothers were born, Uncle Joe was a second father to us. He was known as “Funcle Joe” for a reason. Whether it be the trips to go bullet shell hunting or staying up late while my parents were gone so he could sneak us his famous sugar toast, he was always willing to act out of love and kindness towards myself and my brothers.”
How do we encompass the totality of such a loss of life?
One person or family at a time.
Here are but a few….
The GoFundMe for Help the Tanaka-Tone ʻOhana Recovery After Tragedy
“Saane’s parents Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, sister Salote Takafua and 7-year-old nephew Tony Takafua were tragically killed while attempting to flee the Lahaina wildfire. They were discovered Thursday morning in a burned-out car near their home. Words cannot express how devastating this is for the family, many who have lost everything.”
Saane and Kevin Tanaka are sheltering the rest of the surviving 20 family members in their home.
The GoFundMe —Paxton Ohana Fire Relief Fund — was created by Ali’i Nui and Maui Dive Shop ‘Ohana and said: “With deep sadness, we inform you that Carole Paxton-Hartley’s life was taken by the true devastation. We have no words to ease the pain and sadness among Carole’s family and friends and most of all, Charles [Paxton].”
Carole and her partner Charles fled the flames, and right before they got into their truck, it exploded.
Charles told her to run for her life, and thought that through the smoke she was ahead of him, and were seperated.
She returned to try and rescue her dog and cats.
Charles, who suffered third degree burns, found her body still on their property.
She was identified by her wristwatch.
Costa Rican native, 68-year-old Franklin Trejos had been living for several years with Shannon Weber-Bogar and her husband, retired Maui fire captain Geoff Bogar.
He was friends with Geoff for 35 years.
He helped Shannon daily with her seizure disorder.
“God took a really good man,” said Shannon.
When the fire began, the two men stayed behind to help neighbors and possibly save the house.
When they finally tried to escape in separate cars.
Franklin was found inside the car still on the property.
He was laying on top of his beloved companion… his golden retriever Sam, whom he tried in vain to shield with his own body.
A statement by Terra Thomas, the niece of Terri Thomas.
“My aunt’s name was Terri Elaine Thomas. She was born July 6, 1961.
Our family was informed by eyewitness account that Terri was attempting to evacuate with an elderly neighbor, a male friend and Terri’s beloved dogs. Their vehicle was unable to move, and as flames rapidly approached their SUV, one of the passengers fled the vehicle. However, my aunt was unable to exit, leaving her stranded as the fire engulfed her vehicle. Explosions were happening everywhere with four walls of fire all around them. Her vehicle was later ID’d by a neighbor, who saw the remains of my aunt and her female friend.
Terri was a beautiful, loving and caring member of our family, and member of the Lahaina community for nearly 30 years. She was outgoing, funny and always willing to extend help to others in need.
And on and on and on.
So many…. so many.
We mourn and cherish the memory of those who died in service, those who died resisting to the end, and those who died in terror.