Last month, we invited you to play a role in our coverage looking back at the year since the Aug. 8 fires on Maui by submitting an open letter to Lahaina.

Dozens of you shared childhood memories, harrowing tales of escape, tales of plantation-era Lahaina and stories of lazy afternoons spent on Front Street or under the iconic banyan tree.

Today, we’re presenting some excerpts pulled from your reflections here. These words have touched our hearts and we think they’ll touch yours, too.

Mahalo for your vulnerability and willingness to share. Please join us in taking a moment to remember Lahaina as it was — and as it will live on in our memories.

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How To Submit

If you could write a letter to Lahaina, what would you say?

Submit written reflections using the form embedded below. Please begin letters with “Dear Lahaina” and limit your reflections to 300 words or less.

We’d also like to invite you to submit a voice recording or vertical video reading your “Dear Lahaina” submission. Please try to keep these around one minute long and send via email.