OUR NHO IS ON THE GROUND PROVIDING IMMEDIATE RELIEF UNTIL STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT ARRIVES
64 individual donations received
$19,197.58
as of 8/29/2026
MAHALO FOR YOUR DONATIONS IN BUILDING OUR NHO RELIEF CARE PACKAGES.
** 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
Active Restoration In-Progress
CHANGE, Power has been restored to Pahala as of 8/27/026. The main transmission line to Pahala was repaired and energized, The Ka'u Hospital's power was restored after operating on backup power for 11 days. Much of Na'alehu has been restored, but pocket outages remain. Ocean View power has been restored. However, significant underground repairs and rebuilding of transmisison lines remain for homesteads in Punalu'u, Kapapala Ranch and Wood Valley. Full restoration is still expected on September 8th (updated 8/27/2026)
Water
Partially Restored
NO CHANGE, The boil-water notice remains in effect for Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu. Punalu'u situation is more severe due to completely destroyed well. Residents forced to gather water through spigots at fire hydrants. Pahala's boil-water notice was cancelled on 8/20. Mobile shower trailers for residents to use available in Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu. Limited laundry capabilities available for Ka'u residents due to power outage. (updated 8/27/2026)
Highway 11
OPEN through Ka'u
CHANGE. You can now drive Highway 11 from Hilo to Pahala to Punalu'u to Na'alehu/Wai'ohinu to Ocean View to Kona. Per Hawaii County...about 2 weeks of finishing work remains (guardrails, permanent striping, shoulder work, etc). Expect alternating traffic and possible single-lane sections. (updated as of 8/27/2026)
Communications
Degraded 
NO CHANGE. Hawaiian Telcom established an internet WiFi connectivity site at Na'alehu donation staging area for residents to use.. However, cellular connectivity is spotty; residents forced to walk or drive to high-ground for cell connection (AT&T, Spectrum and T-Mobile carriers). No landline internet due to power outage. Cellphone charge stations and starlink terminals remain priorities. (updated 8/27/2026)
MEDICAL
Power Restored
Change., The Ka'u rural hospital's power is restored, after operating on backup generator power for 11 days. However, no dialysis or similar specialized treatment available. Volunteers continue to transport elderly to Hilo or Kona Hospitals for dialysis treatment (updated 8/27/2026)
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.
$25-$100 Gift Cards
$25Case of water + ice
$50Propane + lighters
$100Cooler + supplies for a family
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
Syn Ack Fin Network & Computer

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.