Teen brothers share story of survival after jumping into ocean with mother during Maui fires

As wildfires blazed on the island of Maui, some rushed into the ocean to escape the flames. NBC News’ Tom Llamas spoke with two teenagers who spent hours waiting in the water with their mother as the fire burned on land just beyond them.
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#Maui #Hawaii #Wildfire

[@gogiberry9517]

“We didn’t save her she also saved us” as a new mom, this immediately made me emotional. God be with Maui.

[@ioidt]

she raised them well!

[@elsawaaf]

What a stupid question "How the idea to run in the ocean happen".....Did you hear about the survival instinct in both human and animal?

[@dawna1710]

good question !

[@joannamendoza2353]

So heartbreaking 💔. Can’t imagine the fear all these people and animals have felt

[@Finduski]

Yee, i feel only sorry for the animals

[@TsunamicBug]

@@Finduski Ah well in that case with that logic I won't feel sorry for you either.

[@carlyar5281]

These are two really good boys, strong, smart, and compassionate. Looking out for each other and taking care of their mom. I have two sons just a little bit younger than them. My heart is breaking for this family and all the residents of Maui.

[@Cwgrlup]

Sweet boys.

[@barbaradu75]

W🌈E 🌈F

[@bettyvillegas8785]

This makes me want to cry, this is so tragic, I'm so glad they survived this horrific ordeal . What a precious family. Prayers go out to all who suffered 🙏

[@joniekeator5450]

It is ok to cry your heart out with us,My mom folks lost everything and are very traumatized she to dont wanna leave and come to Arizona its gonna break her heart more 💔🙏😥

[@calisongbird]

@@joniekeator5450I’m so sorry…. Hugs from a stranger. ❤

[@joniekeator5450]

@@calisongbird thank you so much from the bottom of my heart as well as my family ❤😥🙏💔

[@EnvidiaaemilioKarma]

Hypocrite

[@EnvidiaaemilioKarma]

​@@calisongbirdhypocrite

[@Suzie-he9ni]

These are good young men. I felt it as soon as he spoke. The fact he wants to stay and help people says it all.

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

Toxic. Very toxic.

[@whodoesntlikesurfing]

I mean, he wants hugs from married Hawaiian, local, kamainae, and tourist mom(s), so why not? It's the same reason Danny Duncan, ThatWasEpic, SteveWillDoit, etc. help after natural disasters, it's an easy to way to get HUGS from married middle-aged women

[@Finduski]

He just wants attention and to be called as hero. In reality they wanted to get out. Thats why they were in water

[@JC02official]

The scariest part of all of this is that there's no way out. Even the ocean can't always be safe but you gotta do what you gotta do survive.

[@vaaaalpal805]

I was thinking the same thing!! Fire on land, sharks 🦈 in the water!!

[@ReigningWomban]

@@vaaaalpal805That’s exactly what I was thinking.

[@Omar_Zazzle]

Strong and brave young boys who acted like real men.

[@DownUnderDigitals]

@dungnguyen-wl2ov 🤡

[@Sheysheyshy]

@dungnguyen-wl2ov😮.

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@ahmedalsharman]

He didn't do anything spectacular.. it looks like fun , I wish I was there .

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

@dungnguyen-wl2ov Why didn't Joe Biden save these people?

[@TheBLGL]

He’s a good big brother and son.

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@leointheblues]

Another reason to learn swimming! Great job on taking instantaneous decision during this difficult time ❤

[@bhornannawindeedeigh5007]

😰 I can't even... my heart is breaking. Theirs must be totally smashed. I admire so much their resilience. Good job, guys, of sticking together. One for all, and all for one. I know you're all proud of one another. Wish there was more that I could do than just send Red Cross donations and good vibes. 😢 I feel so frickin helpless. 😰

[@environmentalnews6040]

Help the world fight global warming. It causes these severe natural disaster events.

[@cerebrumexcrement]

really hard to breathe with all that smoke. glad they were close to the water. feel bad for those who couldnt escape.

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@cruisepaige]

I cried like a baby when he said we’re gonna be ok milo. I’m 55 and my big sister who is 59 still looks out for me and worries about me even though I live a safe and normal life.

[@RDSRDSRDSReDraguns]

My grandma disowned my mother for marrying a "mainlander" and refused to have a relationship with me, her halfbreed grandson. Whose burned to a crisp now, grandma?!

[@TheCandiceWang]

❤

[@xyxiaying]

​@@RDSRDSRDSReDragunsid she burned she deserves it

[@RDSRDSRDSReDraguns]

@mysterytheunknow7931 let's hope so. I hope you was in her hottub drunk on Xanax and cooked like a lobster

[@EverAppl14]

These kids had such dignity and resourcefulness through the unimaginable.

[@MimMim-hs2rs]

Makes me feel so useless and unappreciative of how blessed i am watching these brave young men with their mother, my heart goes out to all the people and families and their four legged family members who have suffered this nightmare and those who have perished as well, this is beyond heartbreaking and devastating, we're in Florida, the heat has been unbearable and nothing like most of us have ever endured and we're native, we didn't just move here, climate change is real, if I could jump on a plane to help anyone I would, there are no words to describe what is going on here. God bless all those rescuers and everyday civilians jumping in to help one another, it's a time where no one cares where you came from, the color of your skin or what you look like, it's a time when humanity comes together to help each other regardless of who you are

[@at_brunch3852]

You are beautiful! I’m in Canada & we are watching, sending money and my aunts & my mother were there long ago in your neighbourhood. Blessings to all. Amazing story.

[@stefpix]

Great to see the resilience. Not great reporting, not great questions. How long did it take for them to get rescued? Was it hard to breathe for a long time? Were they really thirsty? What belongings did they manage to take with them? Better questions. Reporting is going downhill to soundbites

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

This was not a news report. Or have you been getting daily broadcast reports about this family since, say, 2010? The whole point is to empathize.

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@emjayvee7776]

Incredibly brave! Thoughts and prayers for those affected by the Maui fire.

[@kriswilldoo6042]

They are as brave as black Americans day to say lives. We totally know what is like to be terrified.

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@ahmedalsharman]

*He didn't do anything spectacular.. it looks like fun , I wish I was there*

[@markhartung]

@@kriswilldoo6042 Especially with all the black folks killing each other in the streets. You never know who's going to attack you; terrifying.......

[@Finduski]

Brave by running into water? Bruh, its not being a brave if its your "only" way

[@imagesintheskye]

“We didn’t save her. She also saved us.” Best answer EVER!! I’m sure the reporter wasn’t expecting that answer. 🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️

[@Jeremiah7-ox2nj]

Surprised that so many were able to endure exposure to all that toxic smoke. Proud of these boys and their mom.

[@eksbocks9438]

I think jumping in is what saved them. Fire and smoke tends to travel upwards. I'm glad they're okay, though.

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@chuck5667]

⁠@@M447DTgotta make everything political these days, huh

[@M447DT]

@@chuck5667 cry more 😄

[@calisongbird]

@@M447DTlearn to spell before criticizing people…

[@prudence18]

😳😳🫣 there are noooo words for this 🥺🙏🙏

[@MissHeird]

You young men were very brave, so level headed!

[@plumeria66]

In another interview they said they were in the water for 7 hours.

[@28105wsking]

So scary! Sending love and courage to everyone! Be kind! Hang tough!

[@wandarask8444]

Coming from Australia we fully understand the impact of the fires placed upon you all even the birds no trees or seed. Lives lost so sad Praying for you all From Australia

[@AZGriffins2U]

Noah, that name suits him. He made sure his family was safe ❤️. God Bless Him 💕

[@leximoore8364]

I love how he said “we didn’t save her. She saved us.” How sweet.

[@chiefgangmusic]

Strong powerful young future leaders. I hope not only for them but also the entire island are able to get through this horrible situation and rebuild their homes and places of business back even better than they were. Although we’re not connected by land, we’re all still Americans and I’m praying and thinking about my Hawaiian brothers and sisters. Blessings to you all!!

[@tammyforbes2101]

Congratulations on taking action and saving you your mom and your brothers lives! Good thinking! Proud of you guys love to see survivors surviving! 💪🏼🇺🇸

[@tr7b410]

Let's hope the greedy developers don't turn that beautiful little town into another Waikiki.

[@Runner8617]

May I ask what happened with Waikiki? Also am I the only one who is noticing these news reporters keep showing the property at 1:16 that miraculously survived while everything around got burned? 😳 Like they are trying to bring attention to the powers that be about this property. I really want to know if the owner of this house kept praying for protection....I am so curious.

[@ginadelsasso288]

Waikiki is beautiful though and brings in a ton of money through tourism. Let the developers come in and build....things will get done a lot faster and will allow for more opportunities. That huge apartment complex burnt down, they are going to need someone to come in and build another. Not everyone can afford to buy and some don't want to because it's too much to take care of. I would love to rent an apartment in Hawaii for a few years when I retire.

[@tr7b410]

@@Runner8617 High rise concrete hotels=you didn't notice.?

[@corirodriquez2889]

Lahaina will never serve greed well. Open for a tsunami after high rises go up. Pele is for real. Just wait.

[@tr7b410]

@@corirodriquez2889 We shall see.

[@hrhtreeoflife4815]

Q You guys survived 👏 And together ❤️ 💕 ♥️ Hallelujah!!! Q ❤️

[@rainmac4485]

i hope that woman clinging by the rocks survived

[@Anne5440_]

Again teens step up and help the family when there is a crises. This family will make it through these hard times. As will the citizens of Hawaii.

[@matrescence_motherhood]

Hawaii has an awesome sense of community I bet this place will be rebuilt faster than most and the community will come together ❤

[@Littlepaw7]

thank you for caring for your family young man. Bravery and courage ❤

[@bobcatbigpaws5597]

This makes me mad about all this. I'm wanting more information to find out why these people didn't get out in time. The city handled this so wrong. I hope they get to the real truth and find out why all these people died from these fires. I can't imagine being burned alive because this city did a horrible way of getting people out. What's so terrible is people on vacation here were not warned in time to get out. I mean a whole city burns up not enough help to get the fires out. When those winds starting making the fire worse they should have sounded the sirens. This is just so more than heartbreaking.

[@8arrows]

The hurricane winds made it so intense and fast moving. Even with ample warnings people could not of out ran it. It was basically like a blast furnace, or blow torch. Not every town has a klaxon. But they should! In Oklahoma they’re common because of tornados. Where I live in Texas, there is none. Even though I seen. 2 tornados here, and 3 deadly floods. (In past 12 years). Our town still hasn’t put in any sirens. You would think they had klaxons for tsunamis, invading nations, or volcano/ earthquake warnings.

[@aprilfool8329]

The very dry conditions combined with winds reaching 80 MPH created a situation that is hard to prepare for. Even with a warning siren, the fire was moving so fast that it would have been difficult for people to get away fast enough. And with the entire town trying to escape at the same time, I am sure the roads were clogged with all the traffic, which is why many people died in their cars.

[@firstlastqaz]

@@8arrows Hawaii has sirens. Their purpose is to alert for tsunamis. It was a decision to not set them off.

[@8arrows]

@@firstlastqaz that’s your conspiracy? They deliberately didn’t turn them on?

[@AVE_MARIA_PURISSIMA]

MAGPASALAMAT SA PAGLILIGTAS NG DYOS!!! MAGBALIK-LOOB NG BUONG-BUO SA DYOS AT HUWAG NANG MAGKASALA!!!

[@nancyking2867]

Such brave boys, and what a great big brother giving his brother comfort, and telling him he was going to be okay, I praise Jesus that they survived, and Mom too!

[@cjacuzar4285]

what a brave teenager

[@sunilsathaye1504]

*STUPID PEOPLE DESERVE IT for going on VACATION in this HEATWAVE* 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

[@whodoesntlikesurfing]

Nineteen is an adult, not a teenager

[@djwavvyray1999]

​@@whodoesntlikesurfingtell people youre insecure without saying it lol

[@dryherbvoter]

​​@whodoesntlikesurfing A person is a teenager between the ages of thirteen to nineteen until twenty.

[@2009duny]

Quick thinking and reaction 😢

[@metime4325]

Young man was able to film in such situation!! Amazing for his coolness.

[@DTDGROMM]

Amazing work of courage and leadership to save his family ❣️

[@fourtails1192]

" How did you get the idea to run in to the ocean ?" Is this guy serious ? I'm pretty sure even a lizard would know to do that 🙄

[@elkmo41]

Obviously some are not as smart as lizards…all the comments about a government agency at fault for not preventing, stopping or saving you from a natural disaster will be a statistic someday.

[@maryj4876]

Oh my God, please Lord bless and save them. ❤

[@dianeyoung8068]

I am so glad that they all made it. My heart goes out to all who lost loved ones and their homes.

[@carolinegodden4364]

May God Bless The Kingdom of Hawaii or maybe it is known as The Hawaiian Kingdom? Sorry if I expressed it incorrectly.

[@ericdiaz6568]

The end of times or something but crazy things are happening every where now.

[@ashleythompson6520]

Never thought of Hawaii catching on fire this bad, I know they got Volcanoes but this is just Catastrophic. Happy this family got thru all this I know they had to been scared especially sharks out in that water to worry about after escaping those fires.

[@vernam.c.mendiola8903]

Oh my heart. I am a mom of two boys now ages 20 and 27. Prayers for all of them. 💜🙏🏽

[@nicolaakuneme9024]

Its an absolute miracle that they made it

[@muvvimahar9537]

I’m not dumb SOMEONE DID THAT wake up ppl❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AMC-eq3jr]

No words can describe this kind of fear in this impossible situation. They are incredibly brave people jumping into the unknown - Wind, Water, Fire. It reminds me of those who jumped from unimaginable heights from the NYC World Trade Center to their deaths. These are difficult times through which Faith and Hope will prevail.

[@mirandabaumgart9792]

We give millions to the Ukraine but we'll give Hawaiians $700? Very nice.😮

[@dodgygoose3054]

In Australia we had this happen a few years ago, climate weather reporting was essentially from our national ABC news on radio & tv to keep people alive with our Navy evacuating people from the beaches ... Pollution change is here & we have to fight it with awareness, knowledge, strength, action & money.

[@rexwall2000]

I got removed from KZbin comments for saying that I didn’t care about the millionaires who built their houses on the side of active volcanoes. Don’t worry folks none of the millionaires houses were affected at all. Ironic isn’t it?

[@jordanbarrett4790]

Directed Energy Weapon

[@dellcoc]

The only part that was destroyed was the only part of Maui that is still owned by native Hawaiians. 2 days later, they are all being harassed to sell their property. Let them grieve and rebuild THEIR land.

[@Awesomefishingvideo-bb2tf]

wow they so lucky turn life back from big trouble

[@justmyopinion879]

Thank the heavens they were able to reach the waters. Surprised that there were not private and military boats going immediately over to the shores. During 9.11, a massive amount of boats coming over to Manhattan even from other states to help evacation without any news on TV asking people to help. Was just automatic to try to help in anyway.

[@nadia4985]

Can you grasp the following two sentences? Small island in the middle of Pacific at night. Overpopulated mainland megacity during busy morning.

[@bonnieyeates5493]

Prayers for all affected

[@tamborinecampos6298]

Glad the teens and their mom were able to make it out. Prayers for the others 🙏 that couldn't make it this makes me sad. I really hope they can get all the help they can get

[@verram98]

What a brave young man ❤

[@Isai_Calderon]

“How did they idea of jumping into the water come into your mind” Did he just say that?

[@nancykinnison3445]

To the media lady please when you have two separate families that was in the fire please leave enough time for both families to speak. They all went through horrible times. I listen to the guy and his wife they had to endure all that but the other person needed to be heard time ran out. Put him back on and let him talk.

[@jackprice6805]

I was here 10 days ago. The people were so kind and everything was so peaceful. I wish I could have been there to volunteer or help

[@gracebrown72]

HELP LAHAINA NATIVES STILL IN DANGER BEING KILLED OF BY TERRORIST FOR NATIVE LAND GRAB!!! PRAY

[@Ricky-j6u]

Democrat run state. Why weren’t they prepared? The hydrants had no water! Truth.

[@Whynotcreate]

This is so heartwarming

[@SM-ug8sj]

That is scary, but at least they had it as an option to them…

[@zinacheers8126]

Oh my goodness this is so heart breaking. My prayers are with you all.

[@branchtobranch5607]

Beautiful!

[@aabb-me5lx]

Real life...not a movie. 🫂

[@joniekeator5450]

Everyone it's ok to cry your heart with us,my hometown lahaina needs hard prayers for so many has lost everything and lives,my mom and family as well lost everything and is very traumatized 😥🙏💔

[@reneefirefly7376]

I’m so sorry for your deep loss. We do weep with you for what you are going through and will pray and also donate. Anyone who has ever experienced the Aloha spirit should do whatever they can to give back/donate and hold you in our hearts and prayers for a long time ahead. I wish I could do more to ease your suffering. I know the world is with you and feels the same. 💔

[@musicandpoetry_8]

This is so sad..either burn or die of smoke inhalation or fight to not drown 😔

[@jayfreeman3849]

Why did it spread so fast? Them people didn't stand a chance

[@angelachanellehuang5663]

Thank Jesus for the ones that survived

[@jameshigginbottom3314]

Where"s sleepy joe? ..oh right on vacation.

[@markhartford9843]

IMHO, It is quite the 'coincidence' that developers are now attempting to purchase the land that the burned-out houses once stood on already and they're in a quite a rush to do so as well. To me, the sudden onset of fires 'mysteriously' starting all makes perfect sense now. In fact, if I were a betting man, I'd bet that those fires were started for the sole purpose of making money via a land grab scheme. Perhaps someone should begin an investigation into that and check the bank accounts of these 'developers' to see who made recent deposits into their business accounts. And while you are at it, check out any video surveillance of the public businesses and personal homeowners. Have the fire department do some in-depth arson investigations. And if I were the government of the 'blue' State of Hawaii, I'd make it public and I would do so fast before the news and the general public begin to smell a rat! Follow the money; Find the corruption; Get the answers; Report the results!#

[@katherineirons6245]

How brilliant!

[@DaveG425]

You know what is missing from all this Hawaii fire coverage? Actual Hawaiians. Am I right???

[@janefreeman995]

I've seen mostly Hawaiians interviewed.

[@machupikachu1085]

No. You are not. Your racism is not welcome here.

[@katherineirons6245]

@@janefreeman995he probably is expecting a stereotype Hawaiian….

[@judithrussell6819]

Prayers for everyone 🙏 ❤️

[@longlifeprinters9]

Excellent short clip of a great interview, thanks for sharing. We pray for everyone's recovery. Those people were smart thinking & know how to survive.

[@EmosBossy-xr8ly]

But where did the fire came from, how did it happen? 😢

[@teetimetroon5086]

Absolutely horrific!

[@doridavis5320]

Please understand this is just the beginning of your survival. Trauma like this will continue. The brain doesn’t know how to deal with what you’re going thru.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Every family needs to have an escape plan in the event of a disaster, especially on an island where you can't get away.

[@DUNESTITCH]

Amazing boys

[@kamamar3906]

Such a nightmare 😢

[@donarrivas1675]

A mother nature wrath is really scary. But, the mother nature also trains humans to get over and rebuild life after she ends her wrath.

[@SMILEYVIZIONZ]

Why the guy on the news behind a green screen

[@ravikurup8350]

Looks like a nuke was dropped on Maui.

[@nerobaal6655]

Got me with that you 2 dot be.

[@dawna1710]

The ancient Banyan Tree 🌳burning is an omen of more bs to come 🔥🥲

[@txbre8758]

These boys are heroes to their family and their mom.

[@honeymoon143]

Nah the ocean is

[@txbre8758]

@@honeymoon143 a lot of people died in the ocean

[@despyzu1]

What a brother! There mom is one lucky lady. Awesome kids.

[@Rosie05610]

This is 💔breaking 😭my prayers 🙏to all who are suffering and my sincerest condolences 💐❤🙏to all the families & friends who have lost a loved one May the Lord give you all strength, comfort and peace 😭😭😭😭❤❤❤

[@randy8483]

Incredibly brave! God bless this family! ❤

[@seviregis7441]

That family did the wisest thing, that’s the only way to have survived that horrific fire.

[@cryptogirliebtc3987]

Thank God they had the ocean near by

[@SikaletiLeti-zj6ll]

Keep the Sabbath day Holy.

[@marthamendoza8640]

Ooh LORD HELP US!❤🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[@triquepersonalwork6369]

Nobody knows the day or the hour Jesus will return, and just like Sodom and Gomorrah, Maui is scorched. It’s time to repent and put our trust in Jesus before it is too late.

[@hu_b]

Bow down to Odin before it's too late

[@user-su5jg7cg9x]

Religion is fake now that the aliens are here that created humans