Maui Wildfire Relief & Recovery

More than a year has passed since the historic town of Lahaina in West Maui, Hawaii was devastated by a series of deadly wildfires. About 12,000 people were forced to evacuate in the disaster, and even now, many are unable to return to their homes. More than 1,200 evacuees are currently living in rental units in Kihei, a town about 26 miles south of Lahaina. While some residents receive government assistance to pay for housing, many families still struggle to make ends meet, even with these aid programs.

In September 2024, Peace Winds began a project to build a community space and playground in Ohana Hope Village, a temporary housing community in Kahului, Maui. Family Life Center (FLC) is the organization that runs Ohana Hope Village. The local nonprofit organization has been providing various short- and mid-term temporary housing to survivors since the early stages of the disaster response. In partnership with FLC, Peace Winds’ new project aims to improve the living environment in the village by fostering a stronger sense of community. The ability for children to play and adults to connect with one another is much-needed amid the stress of financial hardship and housing instability that many survivors are facing.

In addition to building the community space, Peace Winds is working to create a long-term system for grief care and psychosocial support. With the help of professional mental health consultants, the program is strengthening the ability of FLC staff to provide wildfire survivors with trauma-informed care–a framework that takes into account the variety of ways that trauma affects a person’s life. Residents will be able to access support networks even after the Peace Winds project has ended.

As they navigate the recovery process, survivors continue to cope with the loss of their homes and loved ones. This comes on top of new challenges like increasing rent costs and unemployment. Peace Winds asks for your support so that we can continue assistance programs for those in need. The community center program in Ohana Hope Village is made possible by a grant from the Japan Platform and by contributions from our donors. We appreciate your continued support.