The latest on Al and Lori in Maui

Al and Lori Ulman on their way back to Maui where a recent fire wiped out their home and their town Lahaina. Both were in Hamtramck visiting family when the fire broke out back home.

Last week, we featured a story about Hamtramck native Al Ulman and his wife Lori losing their home in the recent Maui fire.
Here is the latest update Al gave a few days ago on his Facebook page:
“First and foremost, thank you all for being here for Lori and me.
“Lori and I are still on Maui; temporarily living on the south shore in Kihei. We’ve still haven’t been to Lahaina.
“The road through town was opened yesterday to all, however, open to residents only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Many are volunteers with food & supplies. A barricade with members of the National Guard are keeping the public out of the destroyed neighborhoods. So, we haven’t been to our burned down site where our condo stood, and the authorities won’t let us into our storage unit. …
“Our plan was to come here, empty the storage unit with what little is in there, have one last good cry at our home site and work our way back to Hamtramck. The plan to move back doesn’t appear to happen immediately. I guess it’s the old ‘best laid plans of mice and men. …’
“With the uncertainty of everything on the west shore (Lahaina) we are taking baby steps waiting to find out what our next step will be.
“As an aside, Lori and I arrived on Maui 23 years ago with two suitcases, a vehicle waiting for us, no place reserved to live on Maui, and no jobs. We didn’t know anyone here either.
“Fast forward 23 years, 360 degree turn: we will be leaving with a travel pod, a lease vehicle (which we have to return but still pay the balance of the lease), no place to live on Maui, (Lori) no jobs and now two acquired cats.
“It seems we have come full circle. But we also sadly leave behind the many friends who have become our Maui Ohana.
“At least we know where we’re going and we have friends and family ready to greet us with open arms.”
“Thank you for being here for us.”
Posted Aug. 25, 2023