There’s no regular episode this week, and that’s the whole story right there. Tina Marie, Martina, and I are all on the Big Island of Hawaii, spread across three different areas, dealing with three different versions of what Hurricane Lala just did to our home. So instead of our usual conversation, this is a direct check-in: what’s actually happening, and what you can do about it.
The good news for us: all three have power back now. The only thing still out on my end is the internet, and honestly, that’s minor compared to what a lot of our neighbors are dealing with. Between the three of us, this week has looked like generators, spotty signal, camping stoves for mac’n’cheese, and checking in whenever someone can find a bar of service.
We’re okay. We want to say that clearly, because we know a lot of you are checking in on us too, and we’re grateful for that. But “okay” is relative right now, and it does not look the same for everyone on this island.
Our hearts are with the people who got hit so much harder than we did. More than a hundred homes were destroyed or damaged. Roads washed out. Entire towns in Kaʻū cut off from the rest of the island because the highway connecting them just isn’t there right now.
We got a firsthand account from someone who lives in Kaʻū, and we want to share it because it’s not something we’re hearing anywhere else. Kaʻū has no water. Not low water, no water. No sewage system. They are cut off from basic human necessities. Nobody survives long without water. One road has been reopened to emergency services, to my knowledge; however, updates are ongoing.
It should go without saying, but has been proven needed - don’t drive through Nāʻālehu just to check things out. If you are not going to stop and help, don’t attempt to go. The residents are working hard to rebuild their lives, and it’s crucial that we respect their efforts by providing space for them to focus. Help where and when you can; but don’t stop and stare.
The Big Island wasn’t the only one affected either. All islands have been impacted by this hurricane, and reports are still coming in on how it has affected our neighbors.
As of writing, Lala has re-strengthened back into a hurricane, with sustained winds near 110 mph, and she’s moving away from us now, west, then curving north toward the uninhabited Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument over the next couple of days. While Hurricane Lala is physically done with our islands, the emotional toll will be long-lasting.
A few numbers and links worth having saved on your phone right now:
For food, shelter, financial help referrals, or any non-emergency need, call 211, Aloha United Way’s statewide helpline. It’s free and confidential.
The state’s Hurricane Lala hub has the full shelter list and outage maps, and it updates constantly, so use that over a screenshot someone sent you.
If this week is taking an emotional toll on you, and it’s okay if it is, call or text 988 for the Hawai’i CARES crisis line.
As of this writing, there isn’t yet a federal disaster declaration for Lala, so hold off on assuming FEMA individual assistance is available. Keep an eye on disasterassistance.gov for when that changes, and start any insurance claim you need to now regardless.
Please, give money before you give stuff. Officials are actively discouraging physical donations right now because sorting and transporting them pulls resources away from the actual response.
The Hawai’i Community Foundation activated the Stronger Hawa’i Fund for this exact kind of statewide disaster response.
Vibrant Hawai’i is taking donations directly for Lala response on the ground. If you’re giving through PayPal, select “Aloha in Action Emergency Response.”
The Food Basket is the Big Island’s food bank and they’re already running distributions. All of Kaʻū is going to need food in the coming weeks, and The Food Basket works directly with The Hub in Nāʻālehu to get supplies to that community, so this is one of the most direct ways to help Kaʻū specifically.
World Central Kitchen has teams on the ground serving hot meals to the hardest-to-reach areas, which is exactly what a place like Kaʻū needs right now.
That’s it. That’s the post this week. Not your usual format, but hopefully what you actually needed from us today. We’ll be back to our regular format next week. Until then, take care of your neighbors, take care of yourselves, and if you’re able to give, give. If you are unable to give, that’s understandable. Sharing resources with those who can goes just as far.
One more thing before we go. Our first interview episode drops this Saturday. We’ve been building towards this for a while, and it’s finally here. Stay tuned for that, and more to come.
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🌴 Aloha until next time.
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