He ʻike ʻana i ka pono: Hawaiʻi Island’s Collective Response to Tropical Storm Lala

What We’ve Accomplished Together

Together, they distributed:

• 77,320 pounds of ice

• 10,531 cases of water

• 2,492 cases of humanitarian daily rations

• 837 gallons of propane

• 2,835 gallons of gas

• 8,000 pounds of food supplies for people and pets

At the same time, Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s disaster case management dashboard provided a shared picture of household-level needs. Vibrant Hawaiʻi has received 2,363 Requests for Assistance representing more than 8,000 people. Of those represented, 40% are children under age 18, 16% are adults age 65 or older, and 16% are Native Hawaiian.

Requests include 1,859 for food replacement, 611 pet- or animal-related needs, 574 cleanup kits, 494 replacement clothing needs, 295 requests for chainsaw assistance, and 117 requests for medical support.

These requests have informed the coordination of people and resources across a much larger network of partners.

More than 100 medical referrals were directed to Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies. Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance accepted 448 pet-related referrals, supported in part by a $10,000 grant from Vibrant Hawaiʻi. We received 495 cleanup-kit referrals and are partnering with The Salvation Army, including a $50,000 grant, to fulfill those requests.

Catholic Charities has been an incredible partner throughout, support requests for temporary housing placements through its Airbnb program. 100 pounds of laundry were collected and washed at The Laundry Nook, helping meet community requests for support with storm-damaged clothing.

Our prior investment in community-based training also became an immediate response asset. Five of eight chainsaw teams activated following the storm: Kohala Resilience Hub, Hui Aloha Kīholo, Pāhoa Resilience Hub, Hawaiian Acres Resilience Hub, Volcano Emergency Response Team, and Team Rubicon.

Hundreds of community volunteers activated – and Vibrant Hawaiʻi supported their efforts through an existing civic grant initiative. Over the past two-weeks, 45 grant requests were funded, totaling $29,300.

profound hope amidst the heartache. Seeing familiar faces, sharing smiles, and witnessing the incredible strength and resilience of the people of Ka’ū is a powerful reminder of how deeply our community cares for one another.” Jenn Makuakane, Pāhala Point of Distribution Lead.

Keeping Communities Connected

Vibrant Hawaiʻi also served as an information conduit throughout the response, helping residents find current information, assistance, and resources.

From August 14–31, Vibrant Hawaiʻi generated nearly 1.8 million views and visits across our website and social media platforms, helping connect communities to timely information, resources, and assistance.

With support from Red Lightning and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, 17 Starlink units were deployed to strengthen communications and an additional 20 generators were distributed in partnership with The Hawaiian Council, The Queens Health System, and Representative Jeanne Kapela.

The Work Now Shifts to Recovery

The emergency distribution phase may be ending, but for many households, recovery is only beginning. Families are replacing what was lost, navigating insurance and assistance programs, repairing homes, and determining what comes next.

On August 31, Community Resource Centers opened in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, with additional centers planned for Ocean View, Kona, Puna Mauka, Puna Makai, Honokaʻa, and Kohala.

Twenty-nine committed partners are supporting residents with financial assistance, document replacement, insurance claims and denial advocacy, health services, navigation of the rebuilding process, and financial assistance for farmers.

To date, Vibrant Hawaiʻi has invested over $600,000 in the Tropical Storm Lala response and recovery effort.

On behalf of Vibrant Hawaiʻi and the thousands of Hawaiʻi Island residents supported through this collective response, mahalo nui loa.

Every contribution—funding, supplies, time, expertise, transportation, meals, information, or simply showing up when help was needed—became part of something larger. Your support did more than help us respond to a storm. It strengthened the community infrastructure that allows Hawaiʻi Island to act together, move resources where they are needed, and remain alongside families through the longer work of recovery.

We each hold one piece that is a part of something bigger.

Janice Ikeda
Chief Executive Officer
Vibrant Hawaiʻi