Football provides a homecoming and hope in Lahaina, where thousands of homes are gone after wildfire

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
Associated Press

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The varsity and junior varsity football teams in Lahaina played their first home games since the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century destroyed the town. It was homecoming, and for many of the fans, coaches and the players themselves, being back at the stadium was the closest thing to feeling at home in the months since the Aug. 8 fire. Classes resumed last week at Lahainaluna High and at the two other public schools that survived the Aug. 8 fire, and on Saturday night, both Lahainaluna’s varsity and junior varsity football teams won their games. The return of football helped give the community a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.