Hawaii Wildfire Relief
August 2023 – December 2024
Last updated: September 2024
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 new measures 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 are excited to start a new phase of debris removal work, with approval from Maui authorities. AHAH’s free service will clear 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
In July, AHAH launched a new debris removal program, where staff and volunteers will clear debris from properties left over a year after the wildfires. With 34 properties already queued and more intakes coming regularly, our team is ready to make an impact.
We wrapped up work on 20 multi-purpose units (MPUs), ready for delivery to individuals and families awaiting permanent housing, helping them stay together and easing the burden on their hosts.
We continue our partnership with Hua Momona Farm Foundation, a local nonprofit providing hot meals and fresh local produce to underserved Maui communities, where we supported the serving of the 50,000th meal this past month.
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.
All Hands and Hearts ©2024
