From strangers to buddies, these wildfire survivors are back together on 1-year anniversary

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Two wildfire survivors met a year ago. Approaching the year anniversary of the Maui wildfire, they were reunited in Kapalua.

“Good to see you,” they both said, with smiles and embracing each other.

Strangers turned buddies, brought together during the Lahaina fire storm.

“So when I saw the smoke, black smoke and flames, I say it’s time it’s time to get the hell out of there,” Joseph Brunel said.

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As ferocious flames spread near his home, Brunel, who’s now 92, couldn’t run. He walked outside and found himself alone against terror.

“The wind was blowing over 80 miles an hour. I was holding onto a tree,” Brunel said.

Brunel was determined to cling to his life during the hurricane force winds.

Jaime Fernandez evacuated his own home just below Brunel’s and jumped into his truck.

“The fire truck was blocking the road and the houses were all on fire and I was blocked in,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez turned around and drove back down. That’s when he saw Brunel clinging to a tree.

“I said, ‘Eh, do you need help,” Fernandez said.

“Before I answer him, he says to me, ‘Jump in,’” Brunel said.

Fernandez said the drive out of Lahaina was bumper to bumper.

“We went up the bypass and when it turned at the stop, we were up there for half an hour. We watched Lahaina burn,” Fernandez said.

They eventually found their families and say that time in the car together kindled a life-long friendship.

“It was chaos, but there was peace between us in the car,” Fernandez said.

“I love him and consider him a friend — friend with a capital F — for the rest of my life,” Brunel said.

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