Hawaii Wildfire Relief
August 2023 – March 2025
Last updated: March 2025
All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) is responding to the devastating series of wildfires that ripped through Maui, Hawaii, in August 2023. Alongside meeting the critical needs of those impacted, we continue to implement measures through the end of this month to provide sustained long-term support, guided by the needs and activities of local community members and organizations, for communities recovering from the wildfires.
Maui Residents: Ineligible Debris Removal
We introduced a new phase of debris removal work, with approval from Maui authorities. AHAH’s free service clears remaining debris after USACE’s immediate cleanup efforts, reducing costs and effort for Lahaina property owners as they rebuild after the wildfires. All residential lots in Lahaina that have received a closeout package from the County and completed primary debris removal through USACE will be eligible for AHAH’s debris removal service.
Property owners who believe they qualify are encouraged to complete the form below to request this free service.
Our Work
After being contacted by Hawaii VOAD, AHAH initially provided remote support by coordinating volunteers for local organizations, ensuring housing and resources for evacuees after the wildfires. Now based in Lahaina, Maui, AHAH continues to explore avenues to support the long-term recovery needs of those impacted.
We support local organizations in resource distribution and meal preparation, ensuring community ownership of essential services and that our work is guided by the needs of the community.
The team is working on a latest initiative: ineligible debris removal. We are helping local property owners clean and clear debris left over from the wildfires, in order to ease the burden of cleanup and rebuilding efforts.
Current Activities
Over a year and a half after the devastating Maui wildfires, AHAH is in the final stages of its on the ground support for local organizations. We hosted three Clean-Up Kōkua events in partnership with The Ho’ōla iā Mauiakama Long-Term Recovery Group, bringing together local volunteers to help clear fire-related debris and give back to their community. To ensure lasting recovery, we have also launched community capacity-building trainings on debris removal assessments, safety and volunteer management, aiming to equip a local Maui organization to continue supporting property owners long after our departure. Additionally, we are finalizing our collaborations with local organizations such as Hua Momona Farm Foundation, Nāpili Noho Community Hub and Red Lightning, assisting with tasks such as planting, harvesting, meal preparation and ash remediation (the process of eliminating smoke residue and odors from a property).
Community Member Spotlight
Kaipo Kekona is a Maui resident and Lahaina local supporting his community through his steadfast contributions to Nāpili Noho. Nāpili Noho is a community hub initiated by Lahainan families to support those impacted by wildfires. What began as a small operation of “families helping families” in Nāpili Park has evolved into a large, vital resource distribution and essential services center involving new daily teams of volunteers. The day after the fire’s devastation in Lahaina, Kaipo knew he had to help his neighbors in need. He wasted no time in harvesting his farm’s crops and cooking meals out of his home. Together with his family, they served their community over 160 meals that day.
Disaster Profile
High winds caused by Hurricane Dora, low humidity and a high-pressure system created terrible fire conditions in Hawaii, igniting multiple wildfires in August 2023. The wildfires have left towns in ruins, and with the death toll at 115, they mark the deadliest wildfires in the U.S. in over a century. The estimated damage totals approximately $5.6 billion, with over 2,200 structures destroyed. Of these, 86% were residential, leaving 4,500 people internally displaced and temporarily relocated to hotels for shelter.
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