Aloha, my name is Nicole Correa—many people also know me as Pono. I was born and raised on O'ahu, in the small town of Waialua. My family has always been involved in agriculture within the community. I am raising funds for my hānai uncle, Wendell Toki, who lost nearly everything during the recent Kona Low storm on Oʻahu.

Uncle Wendell lives in Otake Camp, the area where many people saw the video of a home being swept over the bridge during the storm. While his home was not washed away, it suffered devastating damage. His house is now in demolish condition. The front door and interior doors were blown completely off their hinges, and the garage is collapsing. After the storm, almost nothing inside or around the home was salvageable.

While evacuating with floodwaters already up to his chest, he stopped to help others before thinking of himself. On his way out, he rescued two women who were struggling to escape, then turned around and went back into the rising water to save another person. He also called 911 to alert authorities that the water had begun overtaking nearby homes. Before first responders could even arrive, he had already made a life-saving difference for others—all while his own home was being destroyed.

Uncle Wendell is a small, local Native Hawaiian farmer who has spent years caring for his one-acre property. He raised egg-laying chickens and cultivated mamaki, dragon fruit, avocados, soursop, butterfly pea, bananas, and lime trees. The storm destroyed fencing, planting supplies, tools, and essential equipment—everything needed to keep a small farm running.

In addition to losing his home’s structure, he also lost major household items, including a brand-new washer and dryer, two generators, and a new water heater. These were investments he had worked hard to purchase, and losing them all at once has been devastating.

Uncle Wendell is not asking for luxury—only the chance to rebuild and start again. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help him purchase lumber and basic building materials so he can begin restoring his home and farm. This storm brought relentless rain, and even after the previous 40 days and 40 nights of storms, his property had never flooded like this before.

Any support—whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser—will help Uncle Wendell begin rebuilding the home, land, and livelihood he has dedicated his life to. We will be uploading more photos as we have them. It was so overwhelming yesterday that they were unable to get photos but will be getting some today. The funds will be used to purchase essential rebuilding materials such as lumber, water piping, and other construction supplies. If more funds are raised than needed for those expenses, the remaining amount will go toward replacing basic necessities, including clothing, household goods (food, cookware, dishes, and cleaning supplies), a washer and dryer, a water heater, and potentially a replacement vehicle. Mahalo nui loa for your kindness, prayers, and support during this difficult time.