Attending the home dedication and blessing ceremony in Lahaina honoring wildfire survivor Auntie Valerie Ho‘opai was both extraordinary and heartwarming. Auntie Val is able to return home through the support of Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group (Ho‘ōla iā LTRG), Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), Cajudoy Construction, and many community partners. The dedication marked a milestone in Lahaina’s recovery.

“Ho‘ōla iā LTRG is a nonprofit organization supporting survivors of the August 2023 Maui wildfires through coordinated long-term recovery efforts,” said Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, Ho‘ōla iā LTRG Executive Director. “We focus on disaster case management, stabilization support, volunteer coordination, and rebuilding assistance to help families move toward stability and a place to call home. Auntie Val’s dedication is especially symbolic as it is the first home furnished through our House to Home Program. This program helps wildfire survivors furnish and set up their homes after rebuild completion so families can return home with dignity, stability, and the basic items needed to resume everyday routines. This blessing was made possible through the kindness, aloha, and unwavering support of many partners who have helped Auntie Val and her ‘ohana move forward in their journey toward healing and home.”

The event program included welcoming remarks and partner acknowledgements, a meet-and-greet circle with partners and the ‘ohana, words from Auntie Val, remarks from Mayor Richard Bissen, prayer, hymn, a gift presentation by MDS, a Mō ka Piko Ceremony with pule and opening of the lei, and a blessing by Bishop Tausinga Hafoka of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The dedication concluded with entry and a tour of the home.

Don Rheinheimer, MDS Project Coordinator, noted, “At MDS, our goal is to restore hope for survivors of disasters. We do this by recruiting, organizing and empowering volunteers to repair and rebuild the homes of those impacted by disasters. We are blessed to be able to help Lahaina survivors return home.”

Cajudoy Construction, LLC, a Maui-based, women-owned construction company serves as construction manager for Ho‘ōla iā LTRG’s rebuild projects. Along with their private projects, they help guide the construction process with care, coordination, and local expertise. Owner Brandy Cajudoy agreed, “It is a blessing to support wildfire survivors as they rebuild and return home in Lahaina.”