09/07/2026
July 09, 2026
Today was simply inspiring.
To see local government, military partners, and local volunteers come together in such an incredible way was deeply moving.
Always been, and in many ways still is, one of the most resilient of our islands. With its concrete structures, beautiful waters, and strong people, Luta has weathered storm after storm, standing firm and bouncing back every time.
This time is no different.
Despite looking a super typhoon dead in the eye, the community of Luta stood strong. They deserve to be commended for the way they took Bavi’s hit to the chin with courage, dignity, and heart.
But now it is our turn, as brother and sister islands, to step up and take care of our tough smaller sibling.
Luta is strong. After Sinlaku, they barely asked for anything despite being hit too. I would know, because I was often the one asking. That says a lot about the character, humility, and heart of that community.
But where there is resilience, there is also pain.
It is a pain familiar to many of our older generations, and unfortunately, a pain I fear our children may come to know all too well if storms like this continue to shape their lives.
I say today was inspiring because the effort I witnessed was not defined by candidates, officials, or titles.
It was not defined by businesses, agencies, locals, or diaspora.
It was defined by islanders.
It was a united effort to alleviate a pain we all recognize, now being carried by one of our own.
Today, I witnessed whole villages of people remembering what it means to be an islander and stepping up because of it.
Hundreds of people were involved in the collaborative efforts of the day, both on the three islands closest but also from our brothers and sisters abroad, donating via the link (shamelessly attached here). Unsung heroes of land, sea, and sky seemingly emerged from the sand and salt itself right when they were needed. Islands rallied. Villages came together. And Ayuda was sent.
This is inafa’maolek.
This is respect.
This is love.
We often hear in the islands that “it takes a village.” Well, I want to be among the first to acknowledge that today, the village showed up.
Tonight, I sleep proud. And so should everyone reading this. Proud to exist on such an island, in such a community, and to be part of the Marianas.
We are each shaped by sand and connected by salt. Much of which was moved and shed today to accomplish the mission and as a Lead I am proud of our teams.
Thank you for your continued trust in us as tomorrow we deploy the first of our two Luta teams, to help one of the strongest and most humble of our islands and do what islanders do.
We connect.
We rally.
We take care of our own.
Bless you all, and thank you to everyone whose collaborative efforts and donations have fueled such an incredible response.
On behalf of my team and I at the Ayuda Foundation, StormGuard, the Typhoon Support Logistics Center, and VOAD Guam/CNMI, thank you for reminding me what true Ayuda in the village both looks and feels like, and boy does it feel like home.
BIBA MARIANAS.
BIBA ROTA.
BIBA AYUDA.
BIBA ISLANDERS.
P.S. If you see our team, give us a wave. I promise, we wave back. Stop us if you need something and see you soon.
With love for the islands,
Kai Murrell
Ground Team Lead, Typhoon Yutu, Sinlaku & Bavi — Ayuda Foundation
Head of Distribution Management, Typhoon Support Logistics Center
Team Chief, StormGuard Response Team
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/HCLJ6HTTABMXE