Family of six stays positive after blaze destroys home

A Kapaa family of six lost almost everything in a house fire — but they have not lost hope.

The Meza family is recovering after their rental home was destroyed in a Feb. 17 blaze. They did not have insurance, but things have been easier to handle thanks to neighbors.

“Everybody’s been helping us in some kind of way. The community’s been great,” Francisco Meza said.

The family was off island for a gathering in California with Light of the World Church when their home of five years burned down. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Francisco and wife Abdi have two 8-year-old twins (a boy and a girl), a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.

“Imagine coming home from vacation to find that everything you own is gone and that you need to replace everything while taking care of four young children, working full-time jobs, and still having no place to call home,” said family friend Pamela Varma.

The family’s immediate need is a house to rent. They are seeking a three-bedroom house in the Kapaa area and can afford about $2,000 per month. They are temporarily living in a friend’s one-bedroom condo.

“The school donated plenty stuff for the kids, and everybody’s been great,” Francisco Meza said. “When we first got to the island, they cooked us dinner. A lot of people did nice things that I never thought they were gonna come out and do.”

Francisco Meza is a carpenter, and his tools, boots and equipment, estimated at $10,000, were destroyed in the fire.

Abdi Meza is a professional house cleaner, and all her cleaning supplies were destroyed as well. One neighbor gave her a new vacuum, but she needs more than one for her cleaning team and the necessary supplies. One of their vehicles was also destroyed in the fire.

Neighbor Kahea Taylor helped start a GoFundMe account for the family.

“When we first moved into the house next to them, our power hadn’t been turned on,” Taylor wrote. “We had never met this family prior to this day, but in the middle of the night they ran an extension cord from their house to ours so that we could have some light that night.”

Their children are about the same age and have become best friends.

“They’re in our lives every single day and have been such a blessing to my family and my children,” Taylor said. “I know this family to give immensely to their community, and I would love to see my community come together to help them get back on their feet.”

The fundraising account has raised $8,285 from 81 people in just 11 days.

Varma said the family is keeping a remarkably positive attitude.

“They are an extraordinarily sweet, loving and responsible family who appreciate everything that is being done to help them get back on their feet,” Varma said. “I know our Kauai community will come together to help them.”

A storage unit was donated for a month to hold contributions that include clothing, blankets and toys. Once the family finds a new home, they will still need bedding, furniture and basic household items.

Varma and her fiance, Lincoln Gill, are the collection point and can be reached at 651-3533.

“Thanks to all the people that already been helping us from me and my family,” said Francisco Meza, who moved to Kauai about 15 years ago. ”Kauai’s been a great place. I don’t think this would happen on the Mainland for sure, but everybody’s been really helpful and nice. So I want to say thanks to everybody, especially my neighbor Kahea.”