Aloha mai kākou to family and friends!

The home all seven kids and grand kids was raised and grew up in, the home that was built by our moms brother in laws, brothers, and fathers over the course of forty plus years took a total and unfortunate turn. During thunder, lightning strikes and hurricane winds, high winds lifted the ceiling by tearing the beams and rafters and our roof went flying with the winds. Dry ceilings collapsed and shattered over the furnitures. After hearing all the commotion & witnessing the heart of our home tear apart, it felt like the storm struck us as our hearts sunk with those walls. Please view the posted photos of this incident.

On Sunday, December 18th, our mom Aunty Donalyn received a devastating phone call sharing that her older sister is now under the care of hospice and was given anywhere from 2 hours to a day to live. In a heartbeat she drove the Hāna Highway and flew from Maui to Hawai’i Island to spend the very last few moments she could with her sister and other siblings. While being there, the island of Maui was under a huge storm watch also predicting High Winds.

We knew if we told our mom soon, she would instantly react and rush home. But we did not want to take the time that she had left with her older sister, so we kept this among us siblings. We did reach out to a few for comfort, and to also strategize how we can help out our parents. The number one goal was to put a roof back up, until realizing that the beams left holding up is rotted. With this, we knew that by only putting a band-aid on the house, it would only last so long till the next storm comes. We had to plan, and we’ve realized that the best way to go about this is starting again from the foundation and work our way up. However, we cannot do this alone and need help.

Today, Thursday December 22, we finally found it in us to tell our mom. Mother is still with her sister on Hawai’i Island, as the family moments are helping keep her sisters spirit alive. Of course mother was torn, but she was also relieved to know that all her children came together, to work together in the best way we can and malama our Mama Hāna.

We know this holiday season isn’t the perfect time to seek and to ask for help, but anything you give would be much appreciated. With your generous donations we will be able to buy the tools, supplies, lumber, dry walls, beams, paint, appliances that were ruined and everything else needed to put a roof over our family house. We are in the process of making a Home Depot supply wish list and we will link it below in the next update. Mahalo for reading, sharing our story and all the love and support.

Mele Kalikimaka from our ʻohana to yours!