Aloha oe,

My name is Ryan Kirkham. I wear a few different hats relevant to this request. I am the director of the Kahalawai Volleyball Club, the varsity volleyball coach (and Principal) of Maui Preparatory Academy. We are located in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. The town that we love is gone. The recent fires of August 8-9 have devastated our community. It has been so inspiring to see west Maui families (and beyond!) rally together to give the proverbial double middle finger to the circumstances imposed on us by the fire...but we still need help.

My request is for financial support for the kids in the volleyball community of Lahaina: Lahainaluna High School, the community-based kids of Kahalawai Volleyball Club, and Maui Prep. Within the Maui Prep volleyball community, three players and our JV coach lost their homes. Many of the Lahainaluna High School kids and coaches and the community kids within Kahalawai Volleyball Club lost their homes. A few were reported missing within the first 24 hours (having parents ask me if I had seen their kids was absolutely heartbreaking), but thankfully have been found. To the best of my knowledge, no volleyball youth that we are aware of have passed or are missing.

Maui Prep (training home of Kahalawai Volleyball) is still standing. Lahainaluna High School is still standing (but not currently available for use due to proximity of the fire). We are NOT in need of volleyball gear (nets, balls, uniforms, etc.). We are simply hoping to provide financial support for volleyball youth who lost homes and family in the fire.

I am hoping to mobilize the broader volleyball community to support our youth and their families. The coaching staff of Kahalawai Volleyball Club, Lahainaluna High School, and Maui Prep will allocate received funds based on the needs we continue to learn about.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.