Stevie Nicks defended from criticism over ‘privileged’ and 'self-centered' post about Maui fires
Stevie Nicks defended from criticism over ‘privileged’ post about Maui fires https://t.co/LiMm1SjDaB
- The Independent (@Independent) August 13, 2023
On Instagram on Saturday, Stevie Nicks posted a statement she had written the night before. It read: “As I am sure you have heard - the island, Maui, where I own a house I have been staying at since the 80s - and the small village, city, most magical place on earth, Lahaina, burned to the ground over the last few days. And to make the situation worse my young niece, her husband, and their little boy had just arrived for a very needed vacation before she started up her school year (on her way to becoming a psychologist) for 10 days. They had one and a half days of fun and then - the fire started."
"My house is 15 to 20 minutes from Lahaina - but still no one knew about the fire. We knew here in Houston, but there was no way to get Jessi (my niece) on the phone. The entire area of Lahaina and everything around it was down. But here in Houston… we knew.
There was no way to know that this amazing town that had survived so much for so long would burn down and disappear into the history books, leaving so much sadness, destruction, and death behind it in its wake. This island, in so many ways, defines Fleetwood Mac and me and our families. Mick and I came here in 1978, went up to Kula to look at a huge, beautiful house and stood in front of it listening to the gentle magical wind. He said to me - ‘I will live and die on this island.’ I knew he was telling the truth. John also lived here in Maui for a long time - Christine never lived here but visited many times.
My truth was that I wanted a house here just so I could spend time in Lahaina walking the streets; visiting the art galleries - sitting on the rock wall - Most all the opals I wear on my fingers came from a store on Front Street. I hope the sweet lady who owned that store was able to grab all her opals and run. I hope she made it out.
...Jess and her husband Alec are devastated. Now that they are back in LA and seeing the news coverage- they are totally freaked out...my house and the surrounding area was not burned...Jess said there were three doves at the house the whole time. There have never been doves there ever. The end result could have been very different.
The Lahaina that we knew~ The Lahaina that in many ways connect Fleetwood Mac and our music to the world, is gone. But my memories of everything that happened to me there is clear as a bell. I will still walk those streets ~ still watch the sunset from the many cool restaurants that we drove in to see every night ~ I will see Mr. Fleetwood’s beautiful new restaurant rebuilt and sparkling in the middle of Front Street,” she said on a hopeful note, adding: “Lahaina is not gone~ It is just away~.”
She was criticized on Twitter and Instagram for her self-centered post, with one saying: “What a pointless privileged tone deaf and self centered post,” Another post read: “Wow Stevie, I’m actually disappointed in your post. People lost their homes and more and you’re going on about your niece not having a vacation home to relax in.”
Others criticized her post for not including links or references for aid for the island.
However, the criticism was silenced by fans defending "her truth" of living on the island, offering her condolences and thanking her for her poignant letter.
Information on where you can donate resources to those impacted by the fires in Maui:
[Spoiler (click to open)]The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation started a Maui Strong Fund to support residents affected by the wildfires, which firefighting crews continue to battle in Lahaina, Pulehu/Kīhei and Upcountry areas. Donations can be made at www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.
Maui United Way is accepting donations to its Maui Fire and Disaster Relief fund at https://mauiunitedway.org/disaster….
Maui Food Bank https://mauifoodbank.org/donate/
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is partnering with Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies and Kākoʻo Haleakalā to match up to $100,000 in community donations for ʻohana impacted by the wildfires. Visit Hawaiiancouncil.org/maui to give.
Maui Divers Jewelry is donating 100% of online sales through August 9th to the Hawaii Red Cross.
The Lahui Foundation is accepting monetary donations. https://www.lahuifoundation.org/
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