Donations for Healing

Aloha friends and family,

Please read this in its entirety, it’s written with every ounce of me.

This time of darkness and destruction has broken many of us open. The very constructs of the lives we’ve built have been shattered, and all of Maui has been catapulted into survival mode in one gasping breath. Life has become and will continue to be about survival through each moment- physically, mentally and emotionally. Basic needs like clean water, nourishment, medicine, communication, fuel, wellness, to name a few, are priceless privileges. We are using every ounce of strength inside us to support each other through this tragic time. The aftermath of this disaster is just as much of a battle as surviving the initial blow.

However, amongst the chaos there has been an outpouring of love like I have never witnessed in my life. Both this and the utter loss bring me to guttural tears several times a day. The level of compassion being shared amongst the people of these islands is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The Hawaiian culture is rich- sharing food, prayers, songs, gatherings, ALOHA- literally keeping us alive. Anyone who has ever been to these islands can understand the pure magic of this place and it’s people. The magic, the Mana, is not lost. It’s what will carry is to a place of healing and hopefully justice for the Kanaka Maoli. 

I feel humbled and so grateful to witness each new moment, as a survivor. I feel lucky to be have been primed and pressurized for this catastrophe through a preceding year of other personal losses, that ultimately left me with a strong sense of who I truly am. When you take away everything that you think makes you, you… You are left with your true essence. Your true character that you live with every day. Your only true home.

Through this loss I’m discovering that my true essence is a growing force of light and love. I have the gifts of an artist, a writer, a singer, someone who sees the bigger picture and can share unique and uplifting perspectives. So, through the overwhelming fears and grievances arising within me, I oddly feel the most confident version of myself emerging. I survived because I was in the right place at the right time, listening to my instincts and following the pulse of my heart. And so here I choose to share the optimism, hope and faith that led me to this moment.

It’s a miracle that my building is one of the only left standing in our neighborhood of homes that are now nothing but ash. My belongings are still in tact, however with my current health condition I am not yet able to retrieve most things. I packed my car for a day at the beach, not an evacuation. The home is in the heart of the fire zone, will definitely not be livable again, so me, like many others are uprooted and seeking solid ground. I’m grateful for still having my car, which is allowing me to get what I need and transport friends whose vehicles burned.

What I need right now is to continue prioritizing my health so I can eventually offer my gifts to my community for strength and healing. I am so grateful for my friends offering shelter, clothing, money donations and just true love and compassion.

What has kept me going for the last 6 months is a very specific cleansing diet and supplement plan to help me heal the several autoimmune conditions that have been dictating my life. It is my greatest expense and so necessary for me to continue improving, healing and restoring my strength. So far I have been able to get the nourishment I need from the generous donations I’ve already received. I pray for and trust in this continued support.

What I really want to be able to do is share with those in my community who aren’t as lucky as me. I feel like amongst all this loss I’m the richest I’ve ever been because I’m able to offer my heart to help others. I feel so supported by the love here that all I want is to be able to return that from my own full cup.

So yes, any more money so generously donated from near and far will go to my own survival, and hopefully allow me to support my ‘Ohana. I thank you for reading my message. It is a message of love and faith. May all beings be healed and nourished. May we not allow ourselves to be consumed by the grief, fear and injustice casting shadows over our light. May we all feel a little lighter as we lift each other out of the heaviest thing I have ever experienced.

With eternal love and gratitude,

Jessica Faye Stackpoole