OUR NHO WAS ON THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM. STANDING SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER WITH THE RESIDENTS OF KA'U. 
128 individual donations received
$24,012.68
as of 9/05/2026
MAHALO FOR YOUR DONATIONS IN BUILDING OUR 30-DAY ISOLATION KITS
** THIS IS PRIMARILY A COMMUNITY-LED RELIEF EFFORT **


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
NO CHANGE.  Power had been restored to all customers who could safely be re-energized, except for Wood Valley in Kaʻū and isolated properties where access or customer-side electrical damage prevented reconnection.  (updated, 9/5/2026)
Water
Still Primary Concerned
NO CHANGE, Pāhala water is restored. The Waiʻōhinu–Nāʻālehu system remains under a precautionary boil-water notice. Punaluʻu suffered severe system damage and was still reported without running water in the latest Kaʻū update. (updated 9/5/2026)
Highway 11
Accessible - Not Normal
NO CHANGE. Pāhala and Nāʻālehu are no longer isolated. Route 11 is passable, but damaged sections remain and traffic restrictions continue through the Pāhala–Waiʻōhinu/Nāʻālehu corridor. Expect single-lane/alternating traffic and delays, particularly around Pāhala Hospital and toward Nāʻālehu. (updated 9/5/2026)
Communications
Improving 
NO CHANGE. Basic communications have returned. Pāhala and Nāʻālehu libraries again have power and network connectivity, but cellular coverage remains inconsistent in parts of Kaʻū. Some residents still have to relocate or reach higher ground for reliable signals.(updated 9/5/2026)
MEDICAL
Operational but Fragile
NO CHANGE. Kaʻū Hospital has utility power rather than relying solely on generators. Kaʻū Clinic is open for routine patients, prescriptions and chronic-condition care. The medical system is functioning again, but given Kaʻū’s isolation and transportation/infrastructure damage, I would still characterize it as fragile. (updated 9/5/2026)
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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

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

Blake Kolona Painting and General Construction LLC logo
Royal Kona Resort logo

OUR Corporate Sponsors

Akamai Intelligence LLC logo
JVM Construction Inc

Individual Donors

Listed alphabetically by first name and last initial.

Alan M.

Alexxis M.

Allison A.

Amy H.

Annie T.

Barbie G.

Becki W.

Beth H.

Blair B.

Brenda H.

Brianne R.

Britney N.

Brok B.

Cariann A.

Carla R.

Celeste R.

Christian E.

Christina B.

Christopher A.

Cindy B.

Colleen B.

Darla H.

Daron N.

David G.

Debra C.

Dianne M.

Donna H.

Edieann S.

Elisa N.

Elizabeth B.

Emily S.

EPIC Meetings & Events

Eric N.

Floyd P.

Gary M.

Georges A.

Gracelyn L.

Iliana A.

Jane M.

Jason C.

Jason E.

Jason G.

Jeanne W.

Jeffrey S.

Jeffrey W.

Jen C.

Jenna B.

Jill E.

Jill K.

JoAnn F.

John C.

John F.

John R.

Joseph B.

Judy S.

June A.

Justina M.

Kaitlin B.

Karen M.

Karen R.

Karl N.

Kate B.

Kathleen B.

Kathleen J.

Kathryn T.

Kauwilakalaokalani L.

Kay M.

Kenneth R.

Kim S.

Kimberley P.

Kimberly A.

Lance F.

Leroy S.

LeVanda K.

Linda N.

Linda S.

Marcus Y.

Marilyn A.

Marleen M.

Mary D.

Mary de J.

Mary Jo B.

Megan J.

Melvin Y.

Michael A.

Michael D.

Michael M.

Michele E.

Michelle R.

Michelle T.

Mike F.

Mike V.

Monica P.

Olga B.

Pam C.

Patrick D.

Ms. Patti C.

Paul S.

Paula P.

Renee Y.

Scott S.

Sharon Z.

Stephanie D.

Stephanie P.

Stephen R.

Suzette D.

Syn Ack Fin Network & Computer Services LLC

Tabitha B.

Trish Slade Design

Valerie M.

Wendy H.

Wesley F.

Wesley S.

Donations received through 9/5/2026. 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. We are preparing for the next storm and building our NHO “30-Day Isolation Kits” before the next event. If you have ever wondered what it would take to make a real difference in a place like this…

It is this, today.