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At the heart of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance model for disaster recovery is listening. On August 8, 2023, there were multiple fires on the island of Maui, and two major fires: one in Lahaina and one in the Kula region, near Haleakala National Park. We spent Sunday afternoon talking to fire survivors and non profits from the Kula region.
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Video of one of the gulches that burned in the Kula region. Erosion and mudslides from the fires is a serious concern in this region. This gulch is part of the Kula watershed that leads to the ocean, impacting the whole island.
We asked questions:
- What is working and what is not? And why?
- Where are needs being met and where are the gaps?
- How is the community organizing and how is it not?
- How is government cooperating with local leadership?
- How can we partner?
Listening to fire survivors and non-profits from the Kula region tell their stories to PDA and Pacific Presbytery at Po’okela Church in Makawao.
Rev. Edwin Gonzalez Castillo sharing with Kula fire survivors PDA’s model for disaster relief and what brings to the long term recovery process.
We heard that fire survivors are frustrated and the Kula region feels left out by emergency management. We heard that, in addition to home rebuilds for those without insurance there is also erosion abatement needed in this region due to its cavernous canyons. This is critical environmental work that is not being done by government despite their pleas that impacts the whole island.
Another serious factor hindering more recovery: where to house desperately needed volunteers. Housing was already unaffordable and now there are not enough homes for fire survivors and residents, let alone volunteers who want to come and help. Malama Kula director Kyle Ellison said that he has enough work for 100 volunteers per day for at least the next few years but has nowhere for them to stay.
The two key non profits in the region are Kula Community Watershed Alliance and Malala Kula. Malama Kula could take 100 volunteers tomorrow if there was a place to house them all. Both agencies were present at the listening session.
Heidi and young adults volunteering with Malama Kula.
Originally this Kula region home was surrounded by lush forest and neighbors. Now they are the only house left standing.
After our listening session, a firefighter from the Kula region and leader of Po’okela church wanted to express his gratitude to us for taking the time to listen to the community, and treated us to a wonderful dinner. We spoke in greater depth about PDA emotional spiritual care for firefighters and first responders on Maui.
Thank you dinner with elder Cliff Nakoa and Rev. Edwin Castillo Gonzalez, Rev. Heidi Worthen Gamble, and Rev. Dr. Kimberly Fong.