Tasha Pagdilao, a firefighter who helped battle the fire in Lahaina, said community members stepped up when they were needed the most.
As she manned a hose, her own family was facing a tough decision. Pagdilao said her uncle who "pushed" her aunt to evacuate is among those still missing.
Knowing his medical condition would prevent him from running to safety, he insisted she leave. To escape the flames, she jumped into the ocean, she told NBC News adding that she is OK.
Amidst the inferno, she saw people carrying babies to safety and pulling people out of cars. Neighbors were helping neighbors doing what they could. The effort made her proud.
Of the widespread destruction, she added: "It was tough to see. It was so surreal..."