Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 9, 1 September 2023 — Maui Crisis: A Time to Help! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Maui Crisis: A Time to Help!

__/ LEO 'ELELE V__ ^ TRUSTEE MESSAGES "

Words cannot describe the tragedy that has befallen our beloved residents and visitors on the island of Maui. The horrendous destruction from the wildfires, especially the loss of life and property in Lahaina, is shocking and brings overwhelming sorrow to everyone in our islands. The disaster evokes the opening cry of the Ēook ofLamentations: "Nani ka noho mehameha

'ana o ke kūlanakauhale i piha i kanaka! Ua like ho'i me ka wahine kāne make!" How lonely sits the city that was onee full of people! (Lam. 1:1) Lahaina has been a historical landmark for Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians. Lahaina served as the first capital

of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. The Lahaina Heritage Museum preserved the history of the Hawaiian people in this region. Malu 'Ulu o Lele Park sits on top of an ancient Hawaiian pond. And many of our iwi kūpuna are buried throughout these hallowed grounds. But now, this beloved aina is in ruins. In the aftermath of the tragedy, whieh will long continue for those still living through it, an important truth emerges. We are all one people in this moment of crisis. Whatever differences we may have on the surface, we are the same at the core as we face unspeakable

grief. Our unity will get us through this crisis. It is now time to comfort and serve those who are in the greatest need and begin the long journey of recovery. The outpouring of compassion we are witnessing from the people of Hawai'i is the silver lining through the dark cloud of despair. On my home island of O'ahu, immediately after the wildfires ravaged Maui, I joined scores of volunteers at the state capitol building to collect supplies that were donated by thousands of residents. I saw, firsthand, the generosity of the people on O'ahu and their support for the victims on the Valley Isle. On the island of Maui, Native Hawaiians eoon oi«rrA_eoo n rlienrfni> i«a i at in o

parade of boats whieh brought mueh needed supplies to residents, as reported by the Washington Post. I also have mueh admiration for the loeal, state and federal first responders who have devoted themselves to saving lives and providing aid to those who have been displaced. My heart has ached as emergency personnel and volunteers have searched through burnt ruins and offshore waters for hundreds of lost family members. The rising death-toll is shock-

ing, bringing with it a wide range of emotions, ffom sorrow and grief, to anger and outrage. And for the survivors of the flames, there is the challenge of rebuilding their lives, homes, jobs, businesses, and communities.

The path to full recovery will take many decades. Difhcult questions will have to be answered, and eventually there will have to be accountability. Let us pray that our puhlie ofhcials will face this tragedy with truthfulness and humility, and that all of us will holo mua together toward the solutions whieh Maui needs. For now, our kuleana is clear. Let us exercise aloha and help those in need. Here is a list of reliable organizations to whieh we ean send contributions: www. civilbeat.org/2023/08/help-maui-fire-vic-tims-heres-how-you-c an-donate/ E hana kākou! (Let's work together!) ■

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. Trustee, At-large

Trustee Akina helps to corry donations for victims of the Maui fires into the stote copitol. - Courtesy Photo