Continuing to observe the three-year anniversary of the 2023 Lāhainā wildfires, Lights for Lāhainā will return Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, from 4:30-9 pm at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church on 712 Waine‘e Street. The event brings the community together for two memorable evenings honoring Lāhainā’s history, resilience, and hope for the future. Presented by Aloha Amplified, Inc., a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit organization advancing initiatives that foster connection, economic vitality, and long-term resilience, the gathering builds on the inaugural Lights for Lāhainā event held in 2025.
“As a Lāhainā wildfire survivor, I know firsthand that healing does not happen alone,” said Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i, cultural practitioner and board president of Aloha Amplified. “Many of our ‘ohana are still healing and finding their own path forward. Lights for Lāhainā gives us a place to gather, ho‘omana‘o those we love, share our mo‘olelo and draw strength from one another. As we ka‘i together, the lights remind us that although Lāhainā has changed forever, aloha still remains.”
The event will feature storytelling, quiet reflection and gentle mele honoring Lāhainā’s people, places, and mo‘olelo. Live entertainment will be provided by the Kahaiali‘i Brothers, Kevin Brown, Eric Gilliom & Friends, the Wilson Kanaka‘ole Trio, Marty Dread and Hammah House Band. Other highlights will include local food trucks and vendors, cultural practitioners, local community nonprofits, schools and groups, creative activities, ‘ohana bingo, and opportunities to contribute letters, artwork and reflections to the Lahaina Time Capsule.
Described as “a vessel to carry your messages into the future,” the time capsule invites people of all ages to contribute messages, drawings, photographs, memories and hopes for Lāhainā’s future. The submissions, in-person or online, will be preserved in an archival-grade time capsule scheduled to be opened on August 8, 2033, the 10th wildfire anniversary.
“The project honors what Lāhainā has endured while preserving the voices, memories and aspirations of the community for future generations,” said Kahaiali‘i. “September 12 will conclude with a Light March beginning at Pu‘unoa Beach at 6pm, continuing through historic Lāhainā Town to Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, with a kanikapila gathering featuring music by Lāhainā Style Band and ‘ono local food”.
Time capsule submissions, sponsorship, volunteers, food truck and vendor opportunities are available. For event information and participation details, visit online at LightsforLahaina.org.
– Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i Board President, Aloha Amplified, Inc.
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.”
We are grateful for the many philanthropic, faith-based, nonprofit, and community partners who continue to support Maui’s long-term recovery. We welcome sponsors, funders, donors, and volunteers as more families move toward rebuilding and returning home.
– Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, Ho‘ōla iā LRTG Executive Director
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) showcased their STEMworks™ Agriculture (Ag) Business & Technology Internship Program at the 2026 Maui County Farm Bureau Ag Fest & 4-H Livestock Fair. Through the program, students in grades 9-12 and college undergraduates who reside in Maui County have the opportunity to gain experience in multiple industries within the Ag sector. These experiences, made possible by host companies and mentors, provide invaluable work-based learning for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students, not only to explore professional pathways, but also to work on projects using industry-standard technologies.
“MEDB comes to the Ag Fest each year to promote their Internship Program and the Ag industry in general,” said Britney James, STEMworks Program Specialist. “We need more youth going into the Ag & Business sector and hopefully this program inspires them to consider it.Internships provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that will build their resume, help them learn new skills, broaden their network, and in some cases gain certifications. These opportunities extend what is taught in the classroom and give them real world experience in the Ag field.”
James added, “Wrapping up the spring semester Internship Program in April, the summer program begins June 8th. Applications for fall 2026 will open in August. The deadline to apply will be Friday, September 11th. Visit online at: https://www.stemworkshawaii.org/aginternships.”
Alvis Agader from Maui High School, who completed a spring internship with Happy Lau Farms, said, “I gained extensive amounts of experience and knowledge in farming skills, including power tools, microbiology, irrigation, plant anatomy, natural farming techniques, lab safety, and more.”
Also from Maui High, Sharyah Tacang added, “My internship with Haleakalā Creamery taught me how to make homemade things from scratch, such as caramel, skyr, and gelato. Spending time with and learning about goats, and turning goat milk to cheese, was a plus to my overall experience.”
Completing both a fall and summer internship with the Maui County Department of Agriculture, Jaimie Mamuad from Kūlanihāko’i High School recalled, “I gained a lot more knowledge about Maui agriculture regarding improvement of local sustainability, food security, and creative ways to develop those goals. This opportunity taught me the importance of agriculture and how it affects the resilience of our community.”
Ag Internship requirements include attending weekly virtual development meetings, and presenting at the final showcase. Plus, interns receive a stipend upon successful completion.
Britney James, MEDB STEMworks Program Specialist
Founded in 1989, the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui (FCJC), a private, non-profit corporation and non-partisan group of community and business leaders, have been steadfast in their concern for the social welfare of children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and severe neglect.
Presently, the Friends work with 40+ other agencies to support needs requests for children that are starting or in the process of healing. Some needs are as simple as basic hygiene and clothing, while others include the safe and nurturing facility where suspected victims of child sexual abuse and extreme physical abuse are brought.
Since the organization’s leadership transition announcement in March 2026, Danielle (Dani) Egeberg, the incoming FCJC Executive Director, is following in the footsteps of outgoing director, Paul Tonnessen. Like Tonnessen, Egeberg is committed to supporting the healing journey of every child who walks through the FCJC doors.
“I plan to lead the FCJC with my heart and passion for the next generation and to support the healing of the most vulnerable, while working on prevention to create a safer future for our keiki,” Egeberg said. “Having worked with Child Welfare Services for 11+ years, I have collaborated with many different agencies and service providers; connections and resources that will support the children and families. Plus, I believe we can create even more prevention movements. FCJC has a Board of Directors and subcommittees, one of which is dedicated to prevention and community awareness, working on education and training programs for the community that could make a long-lasting impact.”
She continued, “We strive to educate children and adults about child abuse by participating in community events and producing and distributing related materials. We have a webpage, www.mauicjc.org, that has a prevention page with Maui County contact resources. There is also a drop-down menu that has a few videos to watch along with trainings. Financial support is always welcome. FCJC runs on the generosity or our donors and grants. It takes a village to prevent abuse and neglect from ever happening, and to be here for our keiki if it does. Children need to be heard, and they need to know that someone sees them, hears them, and will support and fight for them.”
The biggest thing I think community members can do is Listen, Act, and Advocate, a theme that came from this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Danielle Egeberg, Executive Director for the FCJC
Infrastructure of Stories, an event presented by Bad Friend Productions and supported by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), recently explored how to broaden Maui County’s role in cinema beyond merely hosting a traditional film industry. The name, ‘Infrastructure of Stories’, refers to a community-driven economic initiative to transition Maui from being a backdrop for the film industry into a self-sustaining, community-led film economy.
The meeting focused on how to keep economic benefits on the island, support local talent, and highlight the upcoming Wailuku Film Festival. The panelists featured leading Hawai’i creatives, filmmakers and business leaders including: the married writer and producer couple from Maui, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, famous for their recent film series Shogun; Brian Kohne, Maui Film Commissioner; Matt Yamashita, Emmy-winning filmmaker from Molokai; Kawika Hoke, filmmaker and marketing analyst; and Stefan Schaefer, director.
“The mission is to empower local creators, integrate authentic mo’olelo (Hawai’ian storytelling), and build the resources needed to produce films and media,” said Kohne. “We aim to connect local storytellers with established film and media professionals. We want to keep our talent on Maui and bring back those that left home. I am one of a handful in our business who came home and I want that for our present and future generation. I thank Shogun producer Rachel Kondo and her family for moving back to Maui; however, they still have to travel to Los Angeles for work. Artists need to be able to feed themselves and their families.”
Event host, Ted Anderson, owner of Venture Physical Therapy and member of the Maui County Health Partnership, thanked MEDB for their support. “This is what we want,” he said. “Our entire community is needed to make the whole system work, including the county and state government. The Wailuku Film Festival is definitely a big step in the right direction.”
The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival, presented by the Maui Film Office and the County of Maui, June 17-21, at the Iao and Naylor Theaters, plus special films on June 21 at the MACC, features over 100 films, with over 50 Hawai’i filmmakers, screening in categories of Hawai’i, Indigenous Voices, Watersports, Animation, and Student productions. The festival is a gathering place where Hawaiian values, cultural knowledge and storytelling meet.
We need to develop all the different components needed to keep all of our talent on island. Home is where work is! Tickets are available at WailukuFilm.com and MauiArts.org., and the Film Festival Box Office at 45a North Market Street, Wailuku.
– Brian Kohne, Maui Film Commissioner
Founded in the wake of the August 2023 Kula wildfire that claimed 20 homes and scorched over 200 acres of Upcountry property, the nonprofit Mālama Kula is still committed to serving their Upcountry community. Mālama (care for) Kula is well-known for being action-oriented and results-driven while also being quick to adapt to new challenges, such as the recent Kona low storms.
“The need in our Upcountry community became glaringly apparent when we watched our town nearly go up in flames,” said Kyle Ellison, Executive Director of Mālama Kula. “Since the day of the fire, we have been leading the cleanup and recovery effort, providing green waste services, metal removal, clearing of downed trees, and creation of wood chips for erosion mitigation. We regularly help property owners clean up from the fire and get time and hope back in their lives. Even once the fire cleanup is complete, which could take years, we will provide disaster relief and cleanup while working on removal of fire fuels to mitigate future hazards. We also planted dozens of native tree species like koa, ‘ōhi‘a, ‘ilima, and ‘ilie‘e as well as non-native vetiver grass, which is used along hillsides to stabilize soil and help minimize erosion and runoff.”
Since the very first days after the 2023 Kula Fire, volunteers have been the beating heart of the ongoing Upcountry recovery. Residents are beyond grateful for their selfless nature and the numerous Mālama Kula programs helping them. Ellison said, “That’s what we are here for, to serve our community. That’s the way it should be!”
Mālama Kula continuously needs volunteers and funding. “We had the Crater Road Fire in July of 2025, and there have been multiple smaller fires since then that we’re very lucky didn’t grow any bigger,” Ellison added. “While programs that are months or years in the future are certainly important parts of this response, we also need to prioritize work that addresses these hazards today. We need to provide the community with tools and increased access to green waste facilities that can aid in responsible land management. It’s incumbent upon our entire community to protect not just our own properties and ‘ohana, but our neighbors and community around us.”
Wildfires are not the only natural disaster that the organization is addressing. After the Kona low storms in March 2026, which brought flooding and high winds to Kula and left many residents without power for days, Mālama Kula immediately took action. They coordinated clean-up crews across 50 properties, working to clear downed trees that were blocking roads and damaging homes. They also gave away free wood chips to homeowners to help prevent soil erosion and stabilize gulches.
Interested volunteers can visit https://malamakula.org to join one of Mālama Kula’s service projects, community work days, and social gatherings. Updates can also be found on their Instagram page, @malamakula.
We provide programs to meet the challenges facing the area’s rural and agricultural economy, plus social networking and educational events that foster and strengthen community.
Kyle Ellison, Executive Director, Mālama Kula
With his team of volunteers, Maui resident Scott Hansen, Executive Director and CEO of Maui Rescue Mission (MRM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides assistance and essential help to the houseless on Maui. Hansen serves alongside his ‘ohana with a deep respect for the people, culture, and land.
“MRM is led with an emphasis on presence, cultural sensitivity, and accountability to the communities served,” Hansen noted. “Across the moku (districts) of Maui, we work to uplift individuals experiencing houselessness with compassion, humility, and an enduring commitment to doing the work the right way.”
A groundbreaking mobile concept, MRM provides access to private hot showers, along with laundry services and similar resources for the guests they serve. They offer a hygiene trailer that is equipped with two stacked washer-dryer units and a full private bathroom. Also provided are first aid items, clothing, meals and nutrition, a cell phone charging station, friendship, and support. Hansen understands the unique needs of the communities he serves.
“As a rescue mission, we are connected to a larger network of community ministries,” he said. “Our weekly outreaches also serve as resource hubs, as we invite various community agencies to offer their support to our guests. For example, these relationships allow us to refer clients looking to detoxify. Together with our partners and other agencies, we are able to help clients get into different rehabilitation programs, since many of them are struggling with a combination of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.
Currently, MRM serves three outreach locations weekly: Kalama Beach Park in Kihei, 10-2pm on Mondays; Cut Mountain Lahaina Bypass, 10am-2pm on Tuesdays; and Kanaha Beach Park in Kahului, 10am-2pm on Thursdays. In alternate weeks, the times are 11am-1pm at the same locations with modified services.
Hansen added, “We at MRM understand that each person’s situation is different. Our approach is to provide basic needs with dignity, compassion, and consistency. By building a trusting relationship with each of our guests we provide a support system that gives them hope and encouragement when they need it most. Please join us as a volunteer, donor, or partner to bring hope and tangible help across the island of Maui.”
Those interested in getting involved can visit http://mauirescuemission.org for more information.
Our vision is to build trust, facilitate healing, and guide individuals towards a new life, offering a path of hope and transformation.
Scott Hansen, Executive Director, Maui Rescue Mission
Mauna Kahālāwai, commonly referred to as the West Maui Mountains, is an ancient, heavily eroded shield volcano rising to 5,788 feet at the summit of Puʻu Kukui. Receiving over 380 inches of rain a year, Puʻu Kukui is one of the wettest spots on Earth, and that rainfall is filtered down through bogs, shrublands, and critical watershed forests. The Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership’s (MKWP) mission is to protect these resources to ensure that West Maui has a continuous supply of water for generations to come.
The MKWP is a voluntary alliance protecting 50,000 acres of West Maui mountains, which provide 75% of West Maui’s freshwater. Established in 1998 through a voluntary alliance of state, county, and private landowners, its purpose is to reverse the negative trend of forest degradation caused by numerous threats. MKWP protects and restores native ecosystems, the forested watershed, and the freshwater supply through cooperative management of fencing, watershed health, removal of invasive species, storm management, and public education. The watershed acts like a sponge and is vital for Maui’s water supply; without protection, the forest covering the watershed will continue to degrade due to the impacts of invasive species.
“Healthy watersheds are blanketed by healthy native forests,” said Chris Brosius, MKWP Program Manager. “In a pristine native forest, trees, shrubs, ferns, and mosses are intimately intertwined. The many layers of vegetation capture moisture from fog and passing clouds and soak up falling rain. While some of this water gently flows over the surface of the land to be filtered into streams, the underground network of roots helps water percolate down through the soil and recharge our aquifers.”
The work that MKWP does also protects and preserves approximately 150 rare and endangered flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Brosius added, “We invite the public to help with stewardship activities to protect the area’s natural ecosystem and cultural heritage. We offer opportunities for groups, clubs, classes, or teams who want to volunteer with us and monthly volunteer service trips at both our Waiheʻe Ridge and Olowalu Valley restoration sites.”
We highly encourage public involvement through our outreach and educational programs so that the people on Maui have opportunities to experience and understand why watersheds, our native ecosystems, and cultural stewardship are all important.
Chris Brosius, Program Manager, Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership
Bringing together leaders, policymakers, cooperatives, and energy innovators, the 2026 Hawaii Energy Conference will discuss pathways to resilience and sustainability using firm (dispatchable source) power, while incorporating the lessons learned from successful indigenous projects.
From geothermal in Hawaii to energy projects on tribal lands and cooperative models across the U.S. and New Zealand, participants will share experiences and strategies for advancing energy solutions while maintaining harmony with local landscapes and traditions.
A deep dive session will explore the topic of Water & Energy in a more intimate setting for up to 40 people. A panel will discuss current and emerging options for seawater desalination, the status of desalination plans on Oahu and Maui, and the energy challenges that influence the feasibility and cost of these technologies.
Attendees at HEC2026 will engage in meaningful dialogue on how policy, technology, and cultural wisdom can shape a resilient and more affordable energy future across all generations.
