Surfer helpers

Lifeguards search the Pacific Ocean along Front Street near the Lahaina Harbor in the aftermath of a wildfire. The death toll of the wildfires rose to over 110 and counting. — Photos: AFP

ARCHIE Kalepa has spent his life in the ocean. He’s a legendary surfer and world-renowned pioneer of techniques to rescue people when colossal waves crash down on their heads.

So his first glimpse of his still-smouldering hometown was, of course, from the sea.