Artist Wyland's gallery destroyed in Maui wildfires

[@jackthefunshack8618]

Former Maui Resident here. Maui used to have a yearly (or more) prescribed burn because they still had the sugar cane industry at that time. They had beautiful green grass fields of cane when the cane was young. Then on the proper time and day they would burn those leafy grasses off leaving behind the cane that they would cart off to the processing factories. Now no more prescribed burns. I have wondered if something like this would be the result of no more prescribed burns. What is there now is abandoned neglected fields which grow firestorm fuel unchecked. I say bring the sugar cane back! Much better to be ready for and used to the burns. This is devastating.

[@destinyreturns4885]

I was just mentioning this exact thing to a friend of mine today, as I remember those burns. I saw some info about some non native grass that has taken over and how dry it becomes, but those burns would have kept those grasses in check too. I don't know....

[@SeanD808]

Yeah they burned their pvc pipes and all those pesticides as well for each crop... Of course the brush was a danger... major fire over near the Kihei new high school which was all brush left to grow and dry out and become a fire hazard!

[@sandramorey2529]

The sugar industry was not making money like in the old times, so there was no requirement to care for the fallow cane fields and the water had been diverted to other monocultures so the fields dried out, the climate experienced years of drought and here we are. Oakland CA

[@checkoutmyyoutubepage]

Read about Hawaii and Guinea grass. You’ll find your answer. An invasive grass that grows fast and tall and dries fast. That’s the fuel.

[@alexcarter8807]

Burning cane is part of the harvesting process.

[@deanm375]

I met Wyland back in 1986 at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach California. He signed a poster of a Beluga whale for my girlfriend. We spoke for about 20 minutes. There was no one else in his booth. He was really nice. A nice memory. So sorry he lost that studio. BPrayers for the families of all the deceased and injured people in Maui.

[@shannono8397]

Wyland is a stand up, Aloha Ambassador! Breaks my heart so much suffering, loss and destruction. Seeing & knowing the beautiful people there...they will build back, and stronger...in honor of those who lost their life. When I was a little girl living in Laguna Beach, my Mom & I met Wyland at his 1st wall. I remember vividly looking at his paint covered sneakers. I knew at that moment he was dedicated, and that I wanted to be an Artist too! *When I moved to Hawaii at 18, I worked at his Gallery, North Shore Oahu...then they offered me to be an Artist there! I am who I am with so much respect to this man, his KIND Ohana and in all my heart know that Banyan will grow back & become very meaningful! Maui is such a strong island, sending all the love to surround and support them.

[@rramos3157]

So sorry for your loss in the gallery Wyland! Yes do rebuild and keep going strong with your art to help the people of Maui with your artistry!

[@rebeccamennen5020]

Im appalled at the rudeness in this comment section! Why disrespect a talented, prolific, gifted artist who has given us fabulous depictions our God's glorious sealife?? ..as well as commerce and joy to Maui visitors/residents. He lost his hard work and future income. Where is basic empathy, respect, and aloha spirit??? How dare anyone call someones art worthless! ..especially this amazing artist!!! Shame on you!! Mr. Wyland..much love , and prayers for you ...and for all victims from this tragedy. 🙏 Im grateful and thankful for your blessed art talent, and hope someday to own a special piece. May God restore all. Xo

[@cynthiasummers8238]

Sadly those rude comments are showing up on other videos about the Maui wildfires. What is wrong with these people? It is appalling and there's no excuse for it. Oh wait, I think it's probably jealous losers who are jealous of people who live in paradise or visit there. And those people will rebuild and revisit. God bless them for their strength and their resilience.

[@jaminova_1969]

Thank You KTLA for this interview! I met Mr. Wyland in San Diego several years ago and he is very down to Earth and a wonderful artist that captures the essence of nature and the Pacific vibe! Best wishes to the people of Hawaii!

[@shiva2731]

Condolences from an ardent fan, to you and all affected. So very sad.

[@_JanetLouise]

Yay Wyland! good to see you!! aloha from Puna, Big Island.

[@terryridge4596]

Folks who are wondering, here is some information about our beloved Lahaina Banyan. It WILL come back. GUARANS BALL BEARINS!! It was definitely scorched, but mostly on the mauka side, the side the fires came from, but only somewhat scorched on the makai side. But TO BE SURE, it DID NOT burn completely down like so much firewood/kindling. It will have a severe leaf drop because of the scorching trauma, but it's 150 years old this year (history: located mauka from the Lahaina Courthouse, which was built in 1858 and restored in 1998 but only a shell left standing, the Great Lahaina Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), 60-foot-tall was originally planted in 1873. It started out as a much smaller 8-foot-tall tree planted by Sheriff William Owen Smith to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant mission to the Lahaina Town), and won’t be put down easily. Our beloved Banyan is a type of Ficus (see above) that is VERY hardy and robust. Its' massive root system has enough energy stores to bring it back and I expect within 1-6 weeks we'll start seeing new leafing popping out all over the place though there may be a period where all we’ll see is a massive leaf drop BEFORE new leaves begin to pop. I'm from Maui and I'm also a landscape architect and I know this tree very well having spent MANY hours under it for the many events held there in the park. In my heart-of-hearts, I'm hoping they'll turn the entire area into a memorial park in memory of Lahaina and its many kanaka maoli/kama'aina who have been lost (so far, 93 dead, 2,200 structure destroyed, mostly residential, and STILL 1,000 still incommunicado/missing). A pule for Mokupuni o Hawai'i a Moku Maui: Ke Akua pu, Lahaina a kanaka maoli a ohana, e pili mau na pomaika'i 'ia noho'i nui loa! Aloha noho'i

[@3RTracing]

make sure you actively participate in the care, pruning and rejuvenation of this tree so some inexperienced arborist doesn't hack it up. Many burned trees do better when they are left for a season to regrow new branches and foliage. I agree with you, it will come back. It should probably be watered well too, but not so much as to cause the roots to be in water too much.

[@terryridge4596]

YES, indeed! That's one of my worries; that they don't give it time! One of my other worries is that they keep 'watering' it when it has no leaves basically potentially saturating the root zone which is REALLY BAD for Ficus! One of my former investment partners, the Goodfellow Brothers (GC's on Maui) are donating their equipment and time to keep the tree watered and rinsed so the trunks are less damaged by sunburn! Mahalo for your comments 3RT! Aloha

[@jirowmom]

Thank you so much for the update on the much beloved banyan tree! We have been to the island many times, and hope to return many times in the future. We are always happy to be on Maui above anywhere else in the world-it has become our second home so to speak. Our prayers continue for Maui and it’s beautiful people.

[@jirowmom]

We loved the Wyland galleries in Lahaina and have purchased several original pieces there, as well as sculptures. To see the large Nano Lopez elephant in the rubble breaks my heart! Praying for Maui and it’s people!

[@lisalister8002]

Not only does he have talent, he has the Aloha spirit!

[@sandramorey2529]

It's sad, but Weiland is very popular world wide. I'm sure he has plenty insurance. I worry about lesser known artisans who also lost everything. I particularly worry about 85 year old Sam Ka'ai, who lost his life's work consisting of his hand made sculptures, particularly the tools and weapons he reproduced by hand & used in his workshops and teaching events, to teach about what made it possible for the Polynesians to be able to thrive on these islands.

[@breal7277]

And because he is so popular, his art will bring lots of money to the community. He just said he is donating all the proceeds from the sales.

[@JudithSchoner]

I bought a few Dolphin glass sculptures from the Wyland Gallery in Lahaina in the year 2000. I am so sorry to learn about the loss. But, one day Lahaina will be back, I'm sure about this! ❤❤❤

[@cheryl9389]

Met Marc Wyland in Laguna Beach where he started a studio in Laguna Canyon...

[@barbarahoglund7841]

Than you

[@edwardf9661]

Sorry Wyland. Also sorry for my dear friend Roy Tabora’s newly opened gallery on Front street. Aloha to you both.🤙

[@3RTracing]

What about all of David Lee's silk paintings that have always been displayed in a gallery in Lahaina?

[@SOLDOZER]

Every shop on Front St is ashes.

[@dianepuri870]

wyland pls come to the pacific nw. there are fundraisers going on here to help maui rebuild

[@hulamei3117]

Wy land when you can sea. Will volunteer to kokua your Maui new wall! We love the wall in Kapaa, Kauai!

[@melaniexoxo]

Sad. I have the Wyland CA plate from the 1990s

[@20alphabet]

Wow, that makes you sort of a celebrity, huh?

[@SeanD808]

Remember this is about the hundreds killed fromt he fire... Not some "artist"....

[@melaniexoxo]

@@SeanD808Agree. Just saying that Wyland is a pretty significant artist in a lot of places. He cares about the ocean and I’m sure the people

[@melaniexoxo]

@@20alphabetIt makes me pretty cool, yeah. But go on

[@mamalioness7741]

Gosh! I remember when Mr. Wyland had painted the "Whaling Wall" along side the Royal Aloha Condominiums on Ala Wai Boulevard! I was living at the Chateau Waikiki upon on Hobron Lane! - What a shame that you lost your gallery in LaHaina. It sounds like you had a wonderful crew at the gallery. At least they all survived the fire storm, and that you're carrying on with hope for the people of Lahaina and the town to be restore. You're an amazing and truly down to earth gentleman.

[@melaniexoxo]

“Will you rebuild your gallery” why even ask this right now?

[@sengle928]

Hell No, collect your insurance check and bolt!

[@TheJcrispell40]

Please let supplies in. They are not allowing people to send water food supplies ect. Only FEMA approved!!!

[@CarlJamesGranacki]

My Dad had alot of his paintings burn up in a fire were not sure how it started at our house in Medford Oregon back when i was 2ish

[@SOLDOZER]

"I was in Laguna Beach where I live and came home to Oahu" Whhaaat?

[@AlwaysfitnessInternational]

Wyland is a great soul

[@nealamesbury7953]

There just arent words for what was lost.

[@asmrhawaii]

Priorities. We are still in search and rescue mode. There is time to talk about this later. Much later.

[@moonkitty4378]

I remember when I was small I would ask my mom to buy me his folders fir school

[@thedaoist888]

#mauiforever #mauistrong #alohaspirit 🌺🌴🌞🏄🏻‍♀️🤙🏼

[@sherylchapman4168]

He had 3 galleries. Now he’s down to two.

[@20alphabet]

That poor, poor man!

[@SeanD808]

He didn't offer up any cash.. just "art" :) I'll bet he did give... just stirring the pot!

[@melvinjohnson2074]

Politicians and Fire dept. let the community down.

[@breal7277]

We don't know all the details. That fire moved a mile a minute with those hurricane winds. What could a handful of fire trucks do against such monstrous fire?

[@alvinfry]

​@@breal7277No, 'we' do know how this happened just some people won't be truthful. A Democrat governor appointed an activist to the DLNR as chair, Dawn Chang. She and others spread the myth that farming was destroying the land. Now the islands are so overgrown and unmanaged fires start easier and burn hotter. Incompetent people in charge.

[@ldc5603]

What happened to it? Seriously?

[@fueledbymusic3]

I wonder what all this going to cost the insurance company

[@breal7277]

The tourist industry (hotel corporations, restaurant chains, cruise lines, airlines, etc) has an opportunity to shine. Show the community you are not heartless b------s and share the profits you've made exploiting the islands. The people desperately need your help!

[@SOLDOZER]

NEWS LADY: "What exactly happened to it?" Ummmmm..........IT CAUGHT ON FIRE!

[@vn10tv9]

Blame it on global warming. Solved

[@breal7277]

Bury your head in the sand. Problem solved.

[@jessicachungisreal]

My friends mom dated wyland😊

[@LAFITZ10]

rich man's woes are real................

[@vn10tv9]

Ban gas and diesel cars and trucks on the island

[@arnoldstollar5375]

Shame

[@johnpowell1875]

So the fire wasn’t all bad

[@annieladysmith]

How would he know what started it and what he winds were there? Puppet on a string.

[@frikitiki]

The Ds and environmentalists forced The Super Ferry out of business. In under 4 hours the ferry could have brought over tons of telecommunication and electrical equipment, trucks and staff as well as helping visitors evacuate to Oahu. BUT because of those with really short sighted thinking the people of Maui are left to suffer.

[@johnryman1366]

Why aren't they growing sugar cane ?

[@julielabonte]

Wyland will be fine,, he has several galleries

[@julies634]

I’m sure he was insured, he’ll be fine…. It’s the others that need help, regular folk.

[@michaelstefanik5918]

Well, that's $2 in lost "art"

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

Looks like they need 100.000 illegal immigrants as fast as possible

[@breal7277]

Go spew your hatred elsewhere. This is a somber time for Hawaii and its people. Have some respect.

[@dukeallen432]

Is the artist alive? Yes. How is this a story??? Art is worthless really.

[@SeanD808]

He prints cash from fawning tourists... who comment here about him not the fire victims...

[@bwtawny]

Go to bed.

[@20alphabet]

He's not that great, tbh.

[@timothya.olmeda7299]

You obviously have never seen his work.

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

..... I live in Maui, sorry Wyland but theres nothing amazing so far.........Tell that to 65 or 70 years old people going through

[@dianepuri870]

luv luv wyland. originally from wahiawa/ now living in redmond wa (home of microsoft) .. i learned jeff bezos and amazon are donating 100M to rebuild. thank you wyland thank you amazon

[@kevincarr335]

Is Wyland bald?