Please help Aunty Momi and Uncle Mikey through this challenging time. Hurricane Lowell damaged our community in Hanapepe, including the Port Allen small boat harbor. Uncle Mikeyʻs fishing boat was heavily damaged and will require costly repairs, and because of this, he is unable to fish and generate income to support their growing multigenerational household. He comes from a long line of Hawaiian fishermen and this boat was passed down to him from his father.

Aunty Momi has been a keiki cultural education specialist for decades with the Tutu & Me travelling preschool. She was recently laid off when the program was defunded by the federal administration. They are both Kanaka Maoli with generational ties to west Kauaʻi. Our family makes traditional paʻakai at Salt Pond in Hanapepe and has been supplying the community with Hawaiian Salt and fresh fish for many years.

The house they live in was passed down through our family and they are now helping to raise the 6th generation in the same home in Hanapepe. They commonly have 4 or more grandkids in the house and Aunty Momi is also one of the main caregivers for our Grandma Linda who lives next door and requires full-time care.

The funds from this fundraiser will go directly towards the restoration of the fishing boat. The house was mostly undamaged from the storm, but being nearly 100 years old, many repairs were already underway before this storm made the situation worse.

I understand there are many Kauaʻi ohana needing support during this time and I mahalo any support big or small. If you’re able to give, any amount would mean so much to our family during this time. If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser would also be a huge help as they work to recover.

This fundraiser was set up and written by Chris Kaʻiakapu, Aunty Momiʻs nephew. I live down the street from them in Hanapepe and I have my familyʻs blessing to coordinate this effort. You can rest assured funds will go directly to them. Mahalo nui kakou