Open Letter

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF MAUI
FROM THE FAMILY OF LAURA VOGEL

Through the tragedy of our daughter’s/sister’s disappearance, our family was privileged to meet the wonderful people of Maui. You opened your hearts and homes to us. With the outpouring of homemade meals, groceries, gift cards, restaurant meals and cash donations you showed us your care and concern for Laura and our family. Thanks to all of the searchers who devoted so much of their time combing the land, sea, and air for any clues to her whereabouts.

Your prayers sustained us and helped us retain our faith and belief that we would be successful in our search for answers to what happened to our beloved Laura.

You showed us how many good friends Laura made during her short time on your beautiful island. We are humbled by the obvious impact she had on those she met and embraced while she was here.

Our goal throughout our stay on Maui is to find Laura and take her home. Our sincere hope is that her disappearance will in some way effect a positive change in the landscape that is Maui.

We know Laura as a teacher, avid hiker, camper, surfer, stargazer, birder, tree hugger, nature lover, and lover of life, which is all reflected in her receiving her Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology. We know that she was distressed by the amount of trash that has accumulated on the trails and shorelines of this island paradise.

She was always very involved in volunteering her time to organizations that work with the U.S. Forest Service to build and maintain trails, install wildlife watering holes and update trail signs, among other important projects.

If you wish to honor Laura, please consider donating some of your free time to ecological projects. This could be as simple as reduce, reuse, recycle or as time-intensive as picking up the trash off the highways and byways of your neighborhood. Teach your children to respect their surroundings and protect this planet of ours. In that way, you will be carrying on work that Laura was passionate about.

Thank you again for all of your assistance, whether large or small. It all means a great deal to us, Laura’s family.

The Vogels