Disaster Healing Luau in Maui

We came to Maui at the invitation of Po’okela Church and Rev. Dr. Kimberly Fong, its pastor of 20 years. Dr. Fong is a minister member of Pacific Presbytery.

When the Maui fires ignited on August 8, 2023, Po’okela Church began serving as a community disaster hub site. Since then, in partnership with PDA and Pacific Presbytery, this little church has helped hundreds of fire survivors.

The vision of Dr. Fong was to have a healing luau for fire survivors at the one year anniversary of the fires, to come together and offer hope and healing. PDA, through POP’s grant funding request, funded the luau.

Rev. Dr. Kimberly Fong and Rev. Heidi Worthen Gamble before worship

The Luau Begins

Healing Luau Program of Events:

• Worship service with hymns of comfort and reassurance, a healing hula dancing presentation, and a rousing sermon from the Gospel of Mark 2 by Rev. Edwin Gonzalez-Castillo, director of PDA.
• Talk story with fire survivors sharing their journey, and words from government officials and pastors with pupus (appetizers)
• A luau for the community, prepared by a famous local chef of pork, taro, poke, ahi cevice, coconut pudding dessert
• Live music by local musicians from Lahaina
• Raffle prizes for and emergency unmet needs checks for fire survivors.
• A keiki (children’s) tent full of fun activities.

Over 100 fire survivors attended.

*Church deacons welcoming survivors with homemade KuKui nut necklaces.

*Setting up for the luau on the lawn of Po’okela Church

*Filling plates with delicious food

*Making kukui nut necklaces for fire survivors with notes of blessing from the church

*Mayor Richard Bissen of Maui County makes remarks

*Fire survivor speaks of how the aloha spirit of the community kept him going.

*Rev. Edwin Castillo Gonzalez, PDA Director, preaching

*Pookela Church leaders singing of God’s faithfulness. This church worships God with their shoes off.

Local musicians sing of God’s power to carry us through our trials

Local musicians sing of the dream to return to Lahaina

Deacons of Po’okela Church get down and have some fun!

All disaster recovery is local. There is no substitute for local leaders stepping up for their community at the time of disaster. This church and its pastor are a beacon for the community, and can minister to it like no one else can.

And a shout to Rev. Dr. Fong, who is setting the standard for excellence in theological praxis and trauma informed community spiritual care.

As Paul said to the church in Philippi we can say of Po’okela Church: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” Philippians 1:3