Help Maxine Fix Her Car and Find a Home

Help Maxine Get Back on the Road and Into Stable Housing

Aloha, friends and ʻOhana,

We’re reaching out to ask for your support for someone who gives her heart and soul every single day—our dear friend, Maxine Rivera.

Maxine has been a part of the Ohana for over two years, working as a dishwasher with pride, dedication, and unmatched work ethic. She shows up on time, takes extra shifts without hesitation, and helps train new team members to achieve our standards of excellence. She’s known as the “beach mom” to many local kids in Kona, looking out for others with the same care and compassion she brings to her job.

What many don’t see is the quiet strength behind her smile. For quite some time, Maxine has been living across the street in a pop-up tent. She’s been doing everything she can to find stable housing, working a second job at a local thrift store, staying on multiple housing waitlists, and never once letting her challenging circumstances hold her back.

Amid this struggle, Maxine made the difficult and selfless decision to place her two youngest daughters, the last of her eight children still underage, in the care of trusted family members so they could be safe and secure while she works to stabilize her own situation. It was not an easy choice, but it speaks volumes about the kind of mother and human being she is—strong, selfless, and fiercely loving.

Now, Maxine is facing a new challenge. She’s been given until the end of May to vacate her current campsite, and her only potential safe shelter—her car—has been broken down for some time. She reached out for help to get her car repaired, and a local auto body shop has kindly stepped in. They’ve ordered the parts and are ready to get her back on the road by late this week. The total cost: $1,000–$1,200.

Maxine offered to take an advance on her paycheck to cover the bill, but we believe she shouldn’t have to face this burden alone.

This is our moment to show her the same Aloha and love she’s always shown us.

We’re raising $4,500 to cover:

The full cost of her car repair

A small cushion to support temporary housing, transportation, or essential needs during this transition

Every dollar brings Maxine closer to stability, safety, and the peace of mind she so deeply deserves. If you've ever met Maxine or worked with her, or simply believe in lifting members of our community, please consider donating or sharing this campaign.

Let’s show what happens when Aloha is more than a word; it’s an action.

Mahalo nui loa