Last week, the city of Maui underwent unimaginable tragedy as a huge portion of Lahaina completely burned to the ground. Citizens felt helpless as they jumped into the ocean to escape their burning homes. It turns out, legendary NBA Don Nelson sprung into action to help.
Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote an incredible piece with Nelson, detailing how the former Warriors coach is letting Maui residents stay at his properties for free.
Shortly after Nelson retired from coaching in 2011, he moved to Maui full-time and has never looked back since. In retirement, he started partaking in real estate, where he now owns multiple short-term rentals in the city. Those same rentals are the ones he's allowing Maui residents to stay in for free now.
“We’re doing the best we can but we only have space for about 24 people,” Nelson said to Letourneau. “There are thousands of people homeless right now. It’s overwhelming.”
Maui is often recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and to see what's happened due to the wildfires is absolutely heartbreaking. That beauty is what has kept Nelson in the city for nearly a decade.
“It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to and I think it’s the most beautiful place in the world,” Nelson said of Maui. “I haven’t really left in eight years. Why would I? Life is so good here.”
In moments of tragedy, the best thing humanity can do is be there for each other. Every single little action helps and when combined together can do enough good to help a city.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Nelson said. “This is home. Right now, it needs all our help.”
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