08/26/2026
As Ka‘ū and other island communities work to rebuild and recover from hurricane Lala, we've chosen to cancel this month's volunteer workday.
Next month, we'll resume with repairs to our kuapā/fishpond rock wall on Saturday, September 26th, 2026.
At this pivotal time, we encourage you to consider donating to disaster relief efforts. This can be in the form of dedicating your time and energy, donating essential resources, or giving a cash gift to one of many local non-profits working to help our hurricane impacted families and businesses.
In the Ka‘ū district, we have local families and organizations stationed from Pāhala to Ocean View daily, collecting and distributing essential items to anyone in need.
Here's a list of resources to help you get informed and involved with disaster relief efforts:
a.) Kōkua Ka‘ū - Wai‘ōhinu
The Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund base yard, located on the Ka‘awa ‘Ohana property in Wai‘ōhinu is serving as a collection and distribution hub for vital supplies to hurricane survivors.
b.) Vibrant Hawai‘i
This big island based 501c3 non-profit organization offers information and resources to disaster survivors and community volunteers. Visit their website to donate cash or to volunteer at a local hurricane disaster relief hub:
https://www.vibranthawaii.org/
c.) Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies - Coalition of Hawai‘i (HMHB)
This 501c3 non-profit forms part of a national network of organizations dedicated to providing medical and emergency supplies to mothers, infants, and families across the Hawaiian islands. Visit their website to donate cash or essential items to hurricane disaster survivors:
https://www.hmhb-hawaii.org/
d.) ‘Iewe Hānau O Ka ‘Āina
This local based 501c3 non-profit organization serves to protect the natural resources, cultural practices and sacred sites (wahi pana) of Punalu‘u and greater Ka‘ū district. Visit their website to donate cash or essential items for hurricane disaster survivors:
https://www.iewehanau.org/make-a-donation
e.) Instagram Accounts
Please follow and for real-time updates on local disaster relief efforts and how you can help.
f.) Hawai‘i Mutual Aid Network
You can gift cash directly to individuals, families, and local businesses who suffered hurricane damage and loss. Visit this Google Spreadsheet for a vetted list of survivors' GoFundMe and Venmo accounts:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k6A_HTh4c-7yOPnRsS_6PZcY81kBtYQ4rmd9k4WPPxQ/edit?gid=194434303 =194434303
Mahalo nui for your continued support, patience, and understanding during these extraordinary times. Mahalo for your aloha to our Ka‘ū community.
Sincerely,
KOOH Staff:
Michelle Chacón León (Volunteer), Colby Lund (Co-Coordinator), Kaʻū Johnston-Kitazawa (Co-Coordinator), & John Replogle (Loko Coordinator)
2026 KOOH Board Members:
Nohea Kaʻawa, Daniel Dierking, Megan Lamson, Ken Sugai, & Jodie Rosam
