Just a couple of the things Civil Beat photographers captured this week.
An endangered monk seal finds respite after this week’s first big winter swell hits Oahu’a North Shore, local kahu bless the beginning of de-fueling Red Hill and students return to Lahaina for the first time this school year.
May you find peace this weekend channeling your inner monk seal.
Lahainaluna supporters welcome students back to their campus Monday in Lahaina. The school had been closed following the Aug. 8 fire. Luna students temporarily studied at Kulanihakoi High School in Kihei. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Cars drive up Lahainaluna Road as students return to Lahainaluna High School on the only paved road in and out of campus makai of Lahaina town. A new emergency road will offer a second route if an evacuation is necessary. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Adults and older students enjoy the unmistakable silhouette of ears and four-finger glove after dropping off a student at Princess Nahienaena Elementary School Wednesday. Two special Disney guests and supporters held signs and cheered to welcome students back to school in Lahaina. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Princess Nahienaena Elementary School kindergartener Sebastian Baniaga, 5, hugs Mickey Mouse as students return to a Lahaina-area campus Wednesday. The school opened its campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary School to place temporary buildings. King Kamehameha III Elementary School was destroyed in the Aug. 8 fire. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Lahainaluna High School alum Lilinoe Elam-Fonohema, left, hands snacks to Lillian Kauvaka and EmmaMarie Rosenthal after their first day back at Lahainaluna High School on Monday in Lahaina. 鈥淚t’s good to be back.鈥 Kauvaka said. 鈥淏ut I forgot how many hills and stairs we used to have to climb every day and it鈥檚 much hotter here.鈥 (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)A Truth Excavation employee sprays a soil stabilizer on burned ash and debris Wednesday in Lahaina. Known by its brand name 鈥淪oiltac,鈥 the spray covers potential hazardous material from burned debris and ash which should remain on the ground and not become airborne particles. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)A portrait of Gov. Josh Green hangs on the wall behind the man himself during a press conference Wednesday in Wailuku. Federal, state and county governments and other organizations gave updates on progress after the Aug. 8 fires on Maui. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Hiking past Hanaka’ilio Beach, a photographer spotted this monk seal taking a break from the relatively large surf Thursday near Kahuku. The first winter north swell produced waves 15 to 25 feet Wednesday into Thursday. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)The blowing of the conch shell signifies the opening (and closing) of a ceremony. Kahu Kordell Kekoa begins the ceremony to bless the official start of the JTF-Red Hill de-fueling project to drain the Red Hill tank farm of its supply of fuel. Local kumus joined a small group of witnesses to bless the pipeline and the tanker and to invoke protection upon the operation on Saturday. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)On Saturday, prior to the official start of the JTF-Red Hill de-fueling project, local kumus offered a traditional blessing with Vice Admiral John F. Wade and others. The 600-foot tanker Empire State is moored in the background and will take fuel removed from Red Hill. De-fueling is estimated to continue through January. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
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