Our small rural communities of Pahala and Na'alehu, in the Ka'u district of Hawai'i island, were hit hard by Hurricane Lala.

Ka'u, specifically Na'alehu, is home for me. Alongside the neighboring farmers, hardworking families, kupuna, and keiki, we woke up to find our sweet little town destroyed. Some of us lost homes, some lost roofs, and worse, some of lost a friend or family member. Prolonged power and water disruptions, lack of access to communication, fallen trees, flooding, the disturbance of our cemeteries where the force of water displaced caskets from their resting place, and the uncertainty of what comes next has left the people in our neighborhood bracing for what comes next.

I started this fundraiser because people outside our community have been asking how they can help and I wanted to get funds into the hands that were impacted directly. The people here live modestly and recovery from a disaster like this can be especially difficult when there isn't much financial cushion to begin with. We are beginning to identify needs.

While I serve as Vice President of the Friends of the Ka'u Libraries ("FKL"), this is an independent grassroots fundraiser and I'm simply a member of this community trying to help my neighbors. However, please let me know if you'd like to make a donation through FKL and I can help you do that.

At this time, access to water and basic supplies is an immediate concern. As recovery continues, other needs will emerge. Funds will be used to respond directly to those needs -- from water, food, and essential supplies to cleanup, emergency assistance, and long-term recovery support for affected families.

I will continue listening to the people on the ground to identify where help is most needed as I share updates so donors can see how contributions are being put to work. I will also keep records of how donated funds are used.

If you can give, mahalo. If you can't, sharing this fundraiser can help just as much by getting our little corner of Hawai'i in front of people who may be able to help.

It is a blessing to be able to know a community like Ka'u, where we all take care of each other. Right now, Ka'u could use some help doing that.

Mahalo nui loa for standing with Pahala, Na'alehu, and our surrounding Ka'u community.