Hurricane Lala Relief for Kaʻū - Mālama Kaʻū Foundation

OUR NHO IS ON THE GROUND PROVIDING IMMEDIATE RELIEF UNTIL STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT ARRIVES

68 individual donations received

$21,273.83

as of 9/01/2026

MAHALO FOR YOUR DONATIONS IN BUILDING OUR NHO RELIEF CARE PACKAGES.
** THIS IS PRIMARILY A COMMUNITY-LED RELIEF EFFORT **

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR NHO CARE PACKAGE RELIEF FUND CLICK HERE: SEE THE IMPACT YOUR DONATIONS ARE MAKING ON KA'U FAMILIES

Crews work to clear trees and downed lines blocking Highway 11 in Kaʻū. The only road connecting the district to the rest of island.

Power

Mostly Restored

CHANGE. Hawaiian Electric announced yesterday that it has completed repairs to all major electric systems on Hawaiʻi Island damaged by Lala and restored everyone who can presently be restored. That occurred roughly a week ahead of the previous Sept. 8 target. (updated, 9/1/2026)

Water

Partially Restored

CHANGE, Water remains the biggest infrastructure problem. The precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect. However, Punaluʻu Blacksands Beach suffered catastrophic well damage. Residents remain without running potable water, and restoration is unlikely any time soon (updated 9/1/2026)

Highway 11

Accessible

CHANGE. Highway 11 is accessible, but it is NOT back to normal. Pāhala and Nāʻālehu has been restored for emergency and essential travel only, and authorities continue asking people to avoid unnecessary travel into Kaʻū. Expect single-lane alternating traffic controls at several locations. (updated 9/1/2026)

Communications

Improving

CHANGE. Basic telecommunications infrastructure is returning. Both the Pāhala and Nāʻālehu public libraries have reopened with electricity and network connectivity restored. However, cellular connection remains spotty. Residents still need to move to higher ground or other locations to establish cellular connections. (updated 9/1/2026)

MEDICAL

Operational but Fragile

Change. Kaʻū Hospital in Pāhala has power again. The hospital has a 24/7 four-bed emergency department, inpatient/long-term-care capability, and can stabilize patients before transferring higher-acuity cases to Hilo, Kona, or off-island.

The vulnerability remains specialty care and transportation. Kaʻū Hospital still does not provide services such as dialysis, meaning those patients must travel outside the district.
Additionally, the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center in Nāʻālehu suffered severe flood damage and requires full remediation.
Medical capability restored, but not medical resilience. A functioning Kaʻū Hospital does not solve the underlying problem when specialty patients still depend on Highway 11 to reach Hilo or Kona. (updated 9/1/2026)
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NHO CARE PACKAGE

What Kaʻū residents are asking for and what your donations are funding

Handwritten whiteboard dated 8/21 headed Kokua Kau, listing community needs including canned food, hygiene products, propane, portable stoves, gas, baby items, paper goods, pet food and cleaning supplies.

CLICK HERE: Your Donation Dollars - See the Impact on Kaʻū Families

NHO Care package Relief Fund

Your donation is tax-deductible.

Mālama Kaʻū Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Native Hawaiian Organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, and you will receive a receipt for your records. One hundred percent of gifts to this fund go to Hurricane Lala relief in Kaʻū.

$25INDIVIDUAL FUEL GIFT CARD

$50EMERGENCY PROPANE FOR A FAMILY

$100PORTABLE CHARGERS FOR FIVE (5) FAMILIES

AnyAmount you choose

Donate to Hurricane Relief Verify our 501(c)(3) status

Mālama Kaʻū Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Native Hawaiian Organization. One-time, monthly and annual recurring donations are available through our donate portal. We publish our IRS tax returns, online, annually so the public can see where every dollar goes.

EIN 87-4142178Our IRS determination letter is linked above. Keep this number for your tax records.

Mahalo to our supporters

Thank you for standing with Kaʻū

Every care package delivered in Kaʻū was paid for by the businesses and people listed below. Mahalo nui loa for standing with this district.

our partners in ka'u

OUR Corporate Sponsors

JVM Construction Inc

Individual Donors

Listed alphabetically by first name and last initial.

Alan M.

Allison A.

Amy H.

Barbie G.

Becki W.

Brenda H.

Brok B.

Cariann A.

Carla R.

Christian E.

Christopher A.

Daron N.

David G.

Donna H.

Edieann S.

Elizabeth B.

Floyd P.

Gary M.

Gracelyn L.

Iliana A.

Jason C.

Jason E.

Jason G.

Jeanne W.

Jeffrey S.

Jeffrey W.

JoAnn F.

John F.

Joseph B.

Judy S.

Justina M.

Kaitlin B.

Karl N.

Kathleen B.

Kathleen J.

Kathryn T.

Kauwilakalaokalani L.

Kay M.

Lance F.

Leroy S.

LeVanda K.

Linda N.

Linda S.

Marcus Y.

Marleen M.

Mary D.

Megan J.

Melvin Y.

Michael A.

Michael D.

Michael M.

Michele E.

Mike F.

Patrick D.

Ms. Patti C.

Paula P.

Renee Y.

Sharon Z.

Stephanie D.

Stephen R.

Valerie M.

Wendy H.

Wesley F.

Wesley S.

Donations received through 8/29/2026. Every gift, large or small, went straight into care packages for Kaʻū families.

Kaʻū takes care of Kaʻū. It should not have to do it alone.

This district has been overlooked for a long time. Right now it is cut off, dark, and boiling its drinking water. No shower. No laundry. If you have ever wondered what it would take to make a difference in a place like this, it is this, today.

Donate now Offer in-kind support