From Maui Chef to Las Vegas Cook: One Man's Journey After the Lahaina Fires

Ernesto Perez faced hardships while living in Maui, far from the cartel violence in Mexico his family escaped three decades ago. He built a life as a chef, married, and raised four daughters in the historic town of Lahaina.

Devastating Fires

Tragedy struck last year when fires ravaged the island, destroying Perez's home and disrupting his job. Weighing his options, he received an invitation from his mother to return to Mexico, but he refused to expose his daughters to the looming shadow of the drug trade.

A New Chapter

Eventually, Perez set his sights on Las Vegas, dubbed the Ninth Island due to the influx of Hawaiians. He secured a job as a cook at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, holding onto dreams of his former paradise while grappling with the impact on his family.