UPDATE — AUGUST 23

We want to clarify and update some information about the impact of Hurricane Lala on Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani, Kaʻū’s first Hawaiian language immersion school.

While the Upper classroom itself had minimal water damage, the supporting buildings and ʻāina that make our school possible were devastated.

The Kula office & bottom classroom under construction was flooded, and the motel and hostel buildings that support the property and help sustain community programs have suffered severe damage.

Kaʻū Wellness, which operates at the property and provides free services to both insured and uninsured community members, is currently completely blocked in and unable to access the equipment needed to serve our community.

But perhaps the greatest loss for our school is our ʻāina — our living classroom.

Before Hurricane Lala, our grounds were an essential part of how our keiki learned. Piko, kilo, and our māla were not simply outdoor spaces; they were places where our children learned through observation, connection, cultivation, and relationship with the land. Our outdoor curriculum was rooted here.

Today, that ʻāina is buried beneath boulders, mud, rock, and debris left behind by the flooding and landslides.

We are asking for your help to clear and restore our ʻāina so that we can rebuild the outdoor classroom that has been foundational to our kula.

Every donation will help us begin the difficult work of clearing the land, restoring our grounds, and creating a safe place for our keiki to return to learning.

We are not just clearing debris. We are restoring a classroom. We are restoring a place of learning, connection, and ʻāina-based education for our keiki.

Mahalo nui for standing with Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani and the Kaʻū community during this difficult time. ❤️

UPDATE 8/20:

Kaʻū Wellness, the business at this location, is currently completely blocked in and providers can't yet access their necessary equipment in the office to serve the community. Kaʻū Wellness is a pillar in servicing the community, offering free services to both insured and uninsured people.

UPDATE 8/18:

The motel is down and the school building is severely structurally damaged. Damage is severe.

KAʻŪ COMMUNITY RELIEF EFFORT AFTER HURRICANE LALA

I'm raising funds on behalf of Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani, the first Hawaiian language immersion school in Kaʻū, which utilizes the grounds of the old Shirakawa Motel. The site was heavily damaged by flooding and landslides during Hurricane Lala.

As of right now, the ‘āina that produced coffee and crops, as well as the aquaponics system, are covered in mud and rock. The motel, which supports multiple businesses and is used to generate income for community projects, lost a wall and flooded. The school was set to start its semester at the end of August. Further damage to the property is still being assessed.

This fundraiser was started at the request of my coworker and friend, Jaela Henderson (Kaʻū), a parent and volunteer at Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani. She reached out to me Sunday 8/17 from Kaʻū with very little phone battery power left, explaining that very few people currently have power or cell service, and asking me to please start a GoFundMe for their community as funds will be needed very soon.

Donations will go toward storm relief for Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani and the old Shirakawa Motel. As power and cell service are still an issue in the area, I am waiting to hear back from Jaela and Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani regarding the best way to get the donated funds to them.

To learn more about Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani, you can visit their website: https://sites.google.com/view/nakmfoundation