Support for Maui ‘Ohana + Watchdogging Efforts, A message from our Executive Director:

In the wake of the recent fires our entire HAPA team would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to any of you who have been impacted, or have loved ones who are impacted. 

Our deepest gratitude for the incredible community mobilization and outpouring of support for our Maui ‘ohana. On the ground efforts by Maui community leaders continue to inspire, and remind us that community connectivity is our greatest asset in times of need.

Here are some ways you can support the immediate needs of the most vulnerable as well as an update on efforts to help watchdog against those who seek to exploit this crisis. 

Support for Displaced ʻOhana & Relief Efforts

How You Can Directly Support Displaced ‘Ohana: 

So many displaced ‘ohana and individuals are in need of immediate assistance. Because larger fundraisers and official channels will take time to disburse the much needed aid to those impacted, directly donating to displaced families is a great way you can directly support those most in need at this time. 

Please follow the instagram account @lahaina_ohana_venmo. 

There is a team of volunteers vetting and posting information on displaced families along with links to their Venmo accounts. 

Maui Relief Guide:

Our wonderful Administrative & Programs Coordinator Nanea Lo has compiled a host of resources related to the relief efforts in this guide. It will be updated on a regular basis. Please reach out if there are additional resources or information that we should include.

Watchdogging for Predatory Practices & Disaster Capitalism:

Unfortunately, when communities are at their most vulnerable and focused on addressing their most immediate needs, there are those who seek to exploit disaster for personal gain. Community is reporting credible accounts of predatory land speculation and out-of-state law firms as well as water grabs. HAPA is supporting and amplifying community-led efforts to watchdog against these types of predatory actors and documenting firsthand accounts. 

Stop Maui Land Grabs:

While hundreds of families are still missing family members and unable to return home to assess the damage – realtors and investors are already calling families asking if they would like to sell their property. This is outrageous and disgusting behavior by private interests to exploit this crisis and directly profit from the devastation on Maui. 

Thankfully, as of Wednesday, Governor Green has vowed to work on a moratorium on land sales in Lāhainā, however, it will likely be challenged in court. While the proposed  moratorium on land sales might help with out-of-state land speculation, there are still protections needed from local predatory efforts. We support grassroots community-led efforts to foster a truly just recovery that keeps Lāhainā lands in Lāhainā hands. If you haven’t already please sign our Stop Maui Land Grabs petition:

If you witness these types of predatory actions please report them to: action@hapahi.org

Beware of Out-of-State Predatory Law Firms:

A hui of local attorneys are raising concerns about out-of-state law firms also seeking to exploit vulnerable residents. To learn more and for resources see our recent blog post. 

If you witness predatory practices please document and report them to: action@hapahi.org. Please include screenshots or and links to predatory ads if possible. We will compile them to share with trusted local attorneys for review.

Stop Maui Water Grabs:

The recent scapegoating of West Maui Native Hawaiian kalo farming communities and DLNR Deputy Director of the Commission on Water Resource Management Kaleo Manuel for the recent fires is particularly egregious. The plantation era water diversions that now feed West Maui Land Co.’s luxury developments have radically dewatered streams and transformed West Maui from a verdant area, abundant with water into a tinderbox. Developer and land owner West Maui Land Co. enabled by state government leaders are using this tragedy to undermine the restoration of streams for taro farming communities and to remove an effective state official from his post. 

Why was there no water to fight the fire in Maui? This excellent article in the Guardian by Naomi Klein and Kapuaʻala Sprout provides important context for how the long history of West Maui water grabs contributed to this crisis and counters dominant scapegoating narratives.

Follow these Instagram accounts for timely updates and action alerts: 

@hui_o_na_wai_eha; @kanaeokana; @kakoo_haleakala; @grandtheftaina; @tiare_lawrence

HAPA Board Member Manaʻo

Mahalo to our board members Kaleikoa Kaʻeo and Andrea Brower for their insightful analysis on the current and historic underpinnings of this crisis. 

Professor Kaleikoa Kaʻeo was recently featured on Democracy Now! His segment can be viewed here: “War Zone”: Native Hawaiian Scholar Says Colonialism Set Stage for Destruction as Death Toll Soars

Read Andrea Browerʻs recent analysis in Common Dreams: Empire and Capital Set Maui Ablaze

Times like this remind us to hold each other close and find solace in community. Mahalo for all you are all doing to kakoʻo.