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.