Our small community of Naʻalehu on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has been hit incredibly hard by Hurricane Lala and the massive flooding that followed.

For those who know Naʻalehu, you know this is a small, close-knit rural community where people look out for one another. This storm brought devastating rain, flooding, wind, downed trees, damaged roads and property, and losses that many families and small businesses were simply not prepared for.

Our own family and business have been affected as well. Hana Hou Restaurant, which has been part of this community for many years, sustained hurricane and water damage. Like so many others in Naʻalehu, we are now facing the work of cleaning up, repairing the damage, replacing what was lost, and getting our doors fully open again so our employees can work and we can continue serving our community.

But we don't want this fundraiser to be only about us.

We are creating this GoFundMe to help with the immediate recovery from Hurricane Lala—both the damage to our restaurant and the needs we are seeing around us in our Naʻalehu community.

Funds raised will help with things such as cleanup and debris removal, repairs, damaged equipment and supplies, getting our restaurant operational again, supporting our employees through the disruption, and helping with urgent community recovery needs where we are able.

Naʻalehu is a special place. We may be a small town at the southern end of Hawaiʻi Island, but there is an enormous amount of heart here. In times like these, you see just how much neighbors, friends, families, farmers and local businesses depend on one another.

We know there are many people hurting right now, and asking for help isn't something we take lightly. If you are able to donate, every dollar will go toward helping us clean up, rebuild, reopen and support our community as we recover.

If you aren't able to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much. The farther we can spread the word, the more help we can bring to this little corner of Hawaiʻi.

From our family, our Hana Hou ʻohana, and our Naʻalehu community—mahalo from the bottom of our hearts for your support, your prayers, and for helping South Hawaiʻi get back on its feet.

We will rebuild. ❤️

With aloha,

The Monteleone Family & Hana Hou ʻOhana