kaipo’s twinkie moments
APRIL 18, 2024
“Home is a place where you can feel safe. Home is a place that embraces you in a time of need. That, for me, is what Lahaina meant.”
Kaipo, Maui resident
Kaipo is a resident of Maui whose family resided in Lahaina for generations, until the wildfire.
Growing up in Lahaina, Kaipo remembers scampering around the streets and cane fields of his town, causing mischief and getting reprimanded by his neighbors. It was commonplace for families to watch out for other families in the tight-knit community that Lahaina was. However, as Kaipo aged and had his own children, he noticed that sense of community dwindling. To keep Lahaina as he remembered it, he decided to become something of a protector of his community. A strong advocate for farmers, he is a dedicated member of a union that supports family farms through education, collaboration and advocacy.
The day after the fires tore through Lahaina, Kaipo knew he had to take action. He harvested his farm’s crops, took all the food out of his freezer and transformed his home and driveway into a kitchen for the community. He and his family cooked over 160 meals that day. Despite the abundance of food prepared, and the clear need of those impacted by the wildfires, many people’s sense of pride and self-sufficiency kept them from accepting the offer of food. That is, until one small action – the offer of a Twinkie.*
*An American snack cake
TWINKIE MOMENTS
Kaipo went to a store to get supplies when he noticed a large pallet of Twinkies. He thought of the children he saw when driving through Lahaina, grappling with the tremendous loss of their town, and, in many cases, people they loved. He used the remaining dollars in his bank account to purchase the entire pallet. Later on, as his meals were being turned away, he still offered Twinkies to the children. Their faces instantly lit up with joy, bringing a moment of relief to their parents and allowing them to drop their guard enough to accept the meal. Kaipo used this scenario, which he termed “Twinkie moments,” to inspire his actions going forward.
At Nāpili Park in Lahaina, Maui, Kaipos’ family and other families began bringing resources like water, flashlights, tents and tables. Over time, the park evolved into a vital resource hub, acting as the heart of wildfire relief on the island, known as Nāpili Noho. A sense of home was slowly reintroduced to the devastated community. During its growth, Kaipo encouraged the team to seek out “Twinkie moments” – snippets of interactions that sparked inspiration, broke down barriers and relieved tension. He aimed to replicate these moments every day.
“We’re gonna be okay. We’re past one of the worst parts. We will be together and be safe together”
kaipo
THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING
All Hands and Hearts began assisting at Nāpili Noho in September 2023. Kaipo was nervous when he met our team because he tends to expect disruption and unawareness from visitors; however, after a few weeks, he became inspired by the lifestyle of traveling to volunteer. He respected AHAH’s flexibility in helping where needed and being guided by the community. Kaipo vowed that once the people of Lahaina are back on their feet, he will pack his bags and volunteer abroad.
Through working so closely with people in the community, we’ve discovered how the wildfires have changed their lives in more ways than meets the eye. Losing the ability to independently care for one’s family, such as by preparing a meal, can be deeply disheartening. It is often the small pleasures of our previous lives that we miss when all is lost.
In times like these, we see the power of “Twinkie Moments”. The opportunity to build connections, lend a hand and help our neighbors to regain their self-sufficiency.
At All Hands and Hearts, we recognize the importance of letting communities lead the way on their journey to recovery – working alongside them at every step we are needed.
Learn more about our Hawaii Wildfire Relief program here.
Written by Elizabeth Jacobs, AHAH’s Social Media Coordinator
