He ʻike ʻana i ka pono: One has seen the right thing to do and has done it

During the past 2 weeks since Hurricane Lala wreaked havoc on the Big Island, we witnessed the power of collaboration, purpose of coordination and what becomes possible when people come together to put their aloha into action.

We saw what can happen when communities prioritize trusted relationships and invest in community leadership, resilience hubs, training, communication systems and partnerships that allow people and institutions to work together when it matters most.

We also saw the value of investing in community infrastructure — creating the pathways, relationships and shared practices that allow nonprofits, businesses, government, philanthropy and community to work together to understand needs, coordinate resources and carry solutions into action.

Within 24 hours of impact, 11 points of distribution were operational around Hawaiʻi Island.

Throughout the 13-day response, that network expanded to 24 points of distribution supporting 130 distributions islandwide.

Nine donation centers coordinated supplies based on needs reported by communities and those distribution points.

Together, they distributed:

• 77,320 pounds of ice.
• 10,531 cases of water.
• 2,492 cases of humanitarian daily rations.
• 837 gallons of propane.
• 2,835 gallons of gas.
• 8,000 pounds of food supplies for people and pets.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s disaster case management dashboard at the same time provided a shared picture of household-level needs.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi has received 2,363 requests for assistance, representing more than 8,000 people. Of those represented, 40% are children younger than 18 years old, 16% are adults age 65 years old or older and 16% are Native Hawaiian.

Requests include:

• 1,859 for food replacement.
• 611 pet- or animal-related needs.
• 574 cleanup kits.
• 494 replacement clothing needs.
• 295 requests for chainsaw assistance.
• 117 requests for medical support.

These requests informed the coordination of people and resources throughout a much larger network of partners.

World Central Kitchen provided 46,663 meals, while Kaukau 4 Keiki partners in Kaʻū provided an additional 6,500 meals for keiki.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi distributed $443,800 in immediate cash assistance to 1,757 households and distributed $15,000 worth of Goodwill vouchers for residents needing replacement clothing.

More than 100 medical referrals were directed to Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies. Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance accepted 448 pet-related referrals, supported in part by a $10,000 grant from Vibrant Hawaiʻi.

We received 495 cleanup kit referrals and are partnering with The Salvation Army, including a $50,000 grant, to fulfill those requests.

Catholic Charities has been an incredible partner throughout, supporting requests for temporary housing placements through its Airbnb program. One hundred pounds of laundry were collected and washed at The Laundry Nook, helping meet community requests for support with storm-damaged clothing.

Our prior investment in community-based training also became an immediate response asset.

Five of 8 chainsaw teams activated following the storm:

• Kohala Resilience Hub.
• Hui Aloha Kīholo.
• Pāhoa Resilience Hub.
• Hawaiian Acres Resilience Hub.
• Volcano Emergency Response Team.
• Team Rubicon.

Hundreds of community volunteers also activated — and Vibrant Hawaiʻi supported their efforts through an existing civic grant initiative. During the past 2 weeks, 45 grant requests were funded, totaling $29,300.

“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, the Pāhala community resource center delivered much more than essential supplies and meals during a difficult time — it provided a space for healing, comfort and connection,” said Pāhala Point of Distribution Lead Jenn Makuakane.

Makuakane said coming together to serve neighbors, family and friends brought profound hope amidst the heartache.

“Seeing familiar faces, sharing smiles and witnessing the incredible strength and resilience of the people of Kaʻū is a powerful reminder of how deeply our community cares for one another,” she added.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi also served as an information conduit throughout the response, helping residents find current information, assistance and resources.

From Aug. 14–31, Vibrant Hawaiʻi generated nearly 1.8 million views and visits throughout our website and social media platforms, helping connect communities to timely information, resources and assistance.

With support from Red Lightning and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, 17 Starlink units were deployed to strengthen communications and an additional 20 generators were distributed in partnership with The Hawaiian Council, The Queens Health System and Big Island state Rep. Jeanné Kapela.

The emergency distribution phase might be ending, but for many households, recovery is only beginning.

Families are replacing what was lost, navigating insurance and assistance programs, repairing homes and determining what comes next.

Community Resource Centers opened Aug. 31 in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, with additional centers planned for Ocean View, Kona, Puna Mauka, Puna Makai, Honokaʻa and Kohala.

Twenty-nine committed partners are supporting residents with financial assistance, document replacement, insurance claims and denial advocacy, health services, navigation of the rebuilding process and financial assistance for farmers.

To date, Vibrant Hawaiʻi has invested more than $600,000 in the Tropical Storm Lala response and recovery effort.

On behalf of Vibrant Hawaiʻi and the thousands of Hawaiʻi Island residents supported through this collective response, mahalo nui loa.

Every contribution — funding, supplies, time, expertise, transportation, meals, information or simply showing up when help was needed — became part of something larger. Your support did more than help us respond to a storm.

It strengthened the community infrastructure that allows Hawaiʻi Island to act together, move resources where they are needed and remain alongside families through the longer work of recovery.

We each hold one piece that is a part of something bigger.

This update about Vibrant Hawaiʻi and partner relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Lala was written by Chief Executive Officer Janice Ikeda. Visit the Vibrant Hawaiʻi website to learn more about its Lala storm information and resources. You also can call 802-365-1808 or email to contact@vibranthawaii.org for additional information about the nonprofit.