** THIS IS PRIMARILY A COMMUNITY-LED RELIEF EFFORT **
What Kaʻū residents are asking for and what your donations are funding
Community-Led Relief In Progress
Overall Assessment — 8/27/2026
From the residents’ perspective, Kaʻū is recovering, but daily life remains significantly disrupted. Highway 11 has reopened, ending the district’s immediate isolation, but many communities are still dealing with unreliable electricity, water concerns, and inconsistent cellular and internet service.
The prolonged power outages continue to affect refrigeration, hot water, cooking, medical needs, businesses, and basic household routines. Water service has improved, but confidence in the system has not fully returned.
The storm also exposed how vulnerable Kaʻū remains. One damaged highway, widespread power failures, and disrupted communications quickly isolated rural communities and affected nearly every other essential service.
At the same time, residents, first responders, utility crews, nonprofits, churches, businesses, and neighbors continue supporting one another.
Bottom line: Conditions are improving, but Kaʻū is not back to normal. The immediate crisis has passed; the challenge now is restoring reliable basic services and strengthening the community before the next disaster.
We are already here - This is Our Community
Our chairman is a 10th generation Ka'u native and has deep connections and extended family living in the community.
Through our 8(a) subsidiaries and global disaster response partners, we are purchasing and donating what families need...NOW. While the community waits for State and Federal support.
Mahalo for standing with the people of Kaʻu. Imua.
Your donation is tax-deductible.
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.
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
Individual Donors
Alan M.
Amy H.
Barbie G.
Becki W.
Brenda H.
Cariann A.
Carla R.
Christian E.
Christopher A.
Daron N.
David G.
Donna H.
Edieann S.
Elizabeth B.
Gary M.
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.
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.
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.