10/04/2025
We did it! Island Hearts Press, the nonprofit behind the publication of Big Hearts on a Little Island: The Maui community’s heroic response to the 2023 wildfires, recently donated 100% of their proceeds to support the rebuilding and regrowth of the Lahaina Public Library.
A check for $25,882.16 was presented by author Victoria Moore to library representative Kathleen Ageton at the Wailuku Public Library last Friday, September 26th.
From the beginning of the project, Moore was adamant that it would remain community-centered in all respects. “Every single person on the team donated their time and talent pro bono in creating this book because we wanted every cent to go right back to the community,” Moore said. “Being able to hand over that donation check, especially to Kathleen who helped spark it all, was a perfect culminating moment after two years of hard work.”
Ageton was surprised and delighted by the size of the check, and is so glad that the proceeds will benefit the Lahaina Public Library. “Big Hearts on a Little Island was a labor of love, of recognition of the unique spirit of selflessness, helpfulness and generosity following the deadliest US fire in over a century,” Ageton said. “When rebuilt, Lahaina Public Library will have its own copy of Big Hearts on Little Island so that those who come after us can understand not just the event, but the people who gave and gave and gave in order to help one another.”
Big Hearts on a Little Island is available to check out at all of Maui’s public libraries, and a limited number of copies remain available through a few retail partners on Maui.
