Volunteers across the Big Island helped Hurricane Lala recovery in shelters, on horseback, with a benefit concert

When people needed help in the rural district of Kaʻū after heavy rain and strong winds from Hurricane Lala whipped through, these local residents rose to the occasion by running a shelter, delivering supplies on horseback, and organizing a benefit concert.

Emely Salmo began volunteering with the American Red Cross during the Lāhainā wildfires in 2023, but she never pictured responding to a disaster in the rural town of Nāʻālehu, where she was born and raised, and is now raising her own children.

“Since I began volunteering with the Red Cross, I have talked to so many people who are experiencing the worst days of their lives, but nothing can ever prepare you for the fear and uncertainty you feel as you endure a natural disaster yourself,” Salmo said.

Nearly one month ago, Salmo was preparing an evacuation shelter in the Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym for people seeking refuge from Hurricane Lala.

“For some reason, preparing for Lala felt different than other potential disasters,” Salmo said. “I would have never guessed what actually happened, but there was a more ominous energy. Over that night, everyone in the shelter was up watching the water come up the steps and into the gym.

“The wind sounds made it worse because it was so loud outside the gym. No one knew if any houses would be intact after this.”

Once the swirling water subsided and eventually drained, everyone began to take in the impact on the town, which was full of mud and debris. Dozens of people were unable to go home, so they stayed at the shelter with Salmo, who was ready to continue shelter operations as long as possible.

“My family and I were lucky,” Salmo said. “Our house lost power and water, but the damage was much easier to handle than so much of Nāʻālehu.”

In the shelter after the storm, she said “spirits were low.”

Salmo did everything she could to at least make the people comfortable, with the support of her family. Her husband, father and children helped shop for all the depleted supplies and cooked hot meals at their home to be brought back to everyone utilizing the shelter.

In the days following Hurricane Lala, the rural neighborhood of Wood Valley in Pāhala became inaccessible even by a 4-wheel-drive, lifted truck. It took community members and first responders about a day to realize the only way there was by horseback or helicopter.

Hoku Ah Yo joined his coworkers from Keakeolanui Ranch on horseback to bring supplies to Wood Valley residents on Aug. 19 and 20.

“The first run was a wild experience,” Ah Yo said. “We packed and rode four horses and two mules full of bottled water and traversed some crazy terrain that trucks or UTVs definitely couldn’t access.

“We were able to get to this location with our amazing animals and we dropped off a whole lot of water for all the homes and families that were literally stuck.”

Ah Yo was struck by how the damage from the hurricane looked in person versus how it appeared over social media and on the news. It was the first time he had ever experienced a natural disaster after living on the Big Island his whole life.

“For me, it was insane to witness and see how powerful the water was to literally carve the Earth and destroy everything in its path,” Ah Yo said. “Truly the most important and heavy thing that we have ever been a part of and we were so grateful to be able to help our communities and our Hawaiian and local ʻohana.”

On the second day, Ah Yo gathered donations of propane, propane burners and food, and a smaller crew brought extra things that the neighborhood specifically needed the day before.

“There were so many community members doing their part,” Ah Yo said. “It was inspiring and I’m glad that I took on my own kuleana to help in those days after the hurricane.”

Cari-Ann McCoy of Waimea, a musician and lead singer of the local band Cari-Ann and the BraveHearts, said the way that made most sense to her to help was by creating a benefit concert.

“I feel like in the immediate aftermath of any disaster, there is so much help everywhere that naturally tapers off in the following weeks,” McCoy said. “I wanted to donate a good amount of money to a nonprofit truly doing the work for the long term while also giving people a chance to have some joy that comes from fun music.”

The “Lifting Up Hawaiʻi: Hurricane Lala Relief Benefit” featured three acts—DJ Overflow, Shane Love and DJ Rachael Scott — last Friday at Blue Dragon Tavern in Waimea.

While she doesn’t have the exact number of people who came, the room was packed.

“I love these musicians so much because they all know how to bring positive vibes to a space, get people to feel good and dance for longer than they think they can,” McCoy said. “This is a moment for people to heal their mental and emotional well-being after a time of trauma and I really feel like this will help in more ways than one.”

All proceeds were donated to Vibrant Hawaiʻi for its recovery efforts following Hurricane Lala. For those interested in donating, you can give directly on the Vibrant Hawaiʻi website.

For Salmo, it was especially personal.

“When I was volunteering in Lahaina, I would tell survivors, ‘I can’t say I understand but I feel your pain,'” Salmo said. “Nāʻālehu is the home I was born and raised in, and I feel that pain now. I want to be in service of everyone in need until the very end of the recovery process.”

While there is a long road ahead for Nāʻālehu, Salmos said she wants to be there through the very end of the recovery process.

“My family was also able to support me as a volunteer, which was incredible to have,” she said. “They were ready to spring into action and make this awful time just a little more comfortable for everyone.”

Salmo helped continue shelter operations from Aug. 8 (preparing before the storm struck) to Aug. 28 as Nāʻālehu slowly began assessing, cleaning and starting to rebuild their homes and businesses.

“There are so many people in Kaʻū who are dealing with their recovery from Hurricane Lala, but are still taking the time to help their neighbors and fellow community members,” said Shannon Carley, regional communications director at the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region. “Red Cross is proud to have Emely on our side, who is ready to serve her home base when needed.”

For those interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit the Red Cross Pacific Islands website.