Submitted by Kīpuka Maui
Following the wildfires that devastated Lahaina on Aug. 8, many stories emerged, including that of an 8-year-old kamaliʻi of Liliʻuokalani Trust.
Moments before evacuating with her elderly tūtū and mākua, the child quickly packed an emergency bag. Instead of essentials, the bag held her favorite books and plush toys. She could not fathom the trials her ʻohana soon would face.
As teammates of the LT’s Kīpuka Maui, we stand by our precious kamaliʻi as they rebuild and heal from tragedy. Many are descendants of Lahaina families spanning generations or are current and former families of the trust.
In response to the fires, LT created Kōkua Maui, supporting over 230 ʻohana with financial assistance for food, shelter options, and essentials. Every call for help received compassion and support, thanks to the work of our teammates across the pae ʻāina. Additionally, our kīpuka joined other Maui nonprofits and community groups to offer trauma-informed counseling to fire victims.
Months later, we introduced the Hoʻōla Connection to help kamaliʻi — including our 8-year-old Lahaina girl — process their emotions and embrace pilina with peers, ages 6-12, who also experienced the fires.
The program drew inspiration from Lahaina’s coastal heritage and the resiliency of marine life to offer hope and healing.
The kamaliʻi embarked on huakaʻi and other healing journeys. Our generous partner Pacific Whale Foundation arranged a boat trip from Maʻalaea to Olowalu. Onboard, social workers from the trust guided the kamaliʻi through their emotions, as they felt the wind, listened to the whales, and witnessed the creatures emerge from the ocean. The whales taught them about migration, ocean journeys, and connecting with ancestors.
Like the whales, the kamaliʻi understood they would move multiple times after being displaced by fires, find security in new environments, and recognize trustworthy individuals. They gained the strength to adapt and thrive wherever life took them.
The huakaʻi reminded us of the resiliency of Lahaina’s children, echoing the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani, who despite hardships and exile in 1893, showed extraordinary grace and compassion for Hawaiʻi’s youth by establishing her trust in 1909.
Occasionally, our group’s vehicles drove near the burn zones, prompting kamaliʻi to share their experiences. Once, a boy confidently proclaimed, “Lahaina will rebuild. We are strong.”
Another moment happened at the Maui Ocean Center, where a visiting family from the continent struggled to open the door with their child in a wheelchair. One of our kamaliʻi rushed to their aid, swung open the door, and exclaimed, “Come! Come!” Afterward, we commended him for his aloha, explaining the Queen’s grace amid her own challenges.
His proud smile filled us with hope for Lahaina’s future. We find beauty in serving our kamaliʻi, and it is our kuleana to uphold the Queen’s legacy.
To learn about the Hoʻōla Connection for young victims of the Lahaina fires, please call the Trust’s Mālama Line at (808) 466-8080.
