(Oct 22, 2024)
In August 2023, severe wildfires broke out in Hawaii, mostly on Maui. The fires spread rapidly due to drought and high winds from Hurricane Dora to the south, forcing evacuations and causing widespread damage and over 100 deaths, and devastating the historic town of Lahaina.
 
Paul Klose (Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club) participated in the first of 2 District 5280 humanitarian trips to Maui (Oct 2-6) and documented the Rotarian activities there. He is a semi-retired software and Internet programmer, and is now doing genealogy for himself and others.
 
The arriving Rotarians were welcomed with a Polynesian ceremony. Their service objectives were to provide humanitarian aid and support, partner with existing organizations there, help with immediate and long-term solutions, and build relationships with the people and Rotarians in Maui. They helped in constructing the Ohana Hope Village, new temporary midterm housing with 88 homes including private bathrooms and kitchens. (Typical families there have already moved 4-6 times.) Rotarian funds were provided for installing solar power. The Rotarians were taken on an Outrigger Canoe ride by a local crew who had lost their homes and place of business. Rotarians helped to refurbish the Boys and Girls Club house, which used to serve 100 kids a day. They also donated money and services to help repair the Lahaina Luna High School.
 
Another temporary housing project was the Ka La'i Ola tiny homes, temporary housing for up to 1500 wildfire survivors. The first 9 families have already moved in. Memorial crosses were built and decorated by a local craftsman, including UV-resistant portraits of the deceased. A Teardrop Memorial was designed and built of rebar to about 15 feet in height by a local craftsman, and lighted at night. The King Kamehameha III Elementary School has been reestablished at a new location. Rotarians organized and placed thousands of donated books on shelves for the children to replace some of the books lost in the fire. Project Vision was established to provide services to 150 homeless people and those in recovery.