ACTIVE EMERGENCY — Kaʻū remains under a precautionary boil water notice and widespread power outage. Give now · Get help
Hurricane Lala · nho IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

Update as of 8/19/2026

MAHALO FOR YOUR DONATIONS IN BUILDING OUR NHO RELIEF CARE PACKAGES. Our 501(c)(3) Native Hawaiian Organization is on the ground providing IMMEDIATE relief until the State, Federal Government and NGOs arrive.
** THIS IS (PRIMARILY) A COMMUNITY-LED RELIEF EFFORT **
Crews work to clear uprooted trees and downed lines blocking Highway 11 in Kaʻū, the only road connecting the district to the rest of island.
Power
Down Until 9/8/2026
Power remains a serious problem for all of Ka'u. Utility crews need to rebuild storm-damaged portions of the Big Island grid. Damages include downed poles and transmission infrastructure.
Water
Flowing, Do Not Drink
Filtration and pumping lost pressure during the outage. An essential-needs-only notice is in effect for all Water Supply customers.
Highway 11
Emergency & Essential Travel Only
Access to Pahala and Na'alehu restored. Road utility crew are still clearing debris and repairing damaged bridges. Access to Wai'ohinu severely limited. 
Communications
Intermittent Cellular Service Only
No landline internet. Cellphone charge stations and starlink terminals remain priorities.
MEDICAL
Constrained
Operating on backup generator power only. No dialysis  or similar specialized treatment available. 
Where things stand

Community-Led Relief In Progress

Road access partially restored. Power remains down. Communications degraded. Drinking water precations in effect. Hospital on generator power. No access to specialty medical care. 

Why us

We are already here

Mālama Kaʻū Foundation is a Native Hawaiian Organization rooted in this district. We are carrying the first 30 days, until County, State and Federal support arrives.
Our chairman is a 10th generation Ka'u native and has deep connections in the community.
Through our 8(a) subsidiaries and global disaster response partners, we are moving what families need...NOW.
Mahalo for standing with the people of Kaʻu. Imua.
 nho care package

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

Sent directly from residents in our hometown. Updated August 19, 2026.
  • Gift Cards (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Bottled Water (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Gasoline (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Gas Cans (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Diesel (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Propane (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Batteries (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Ice (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Coolers (HIGH PRIORITY)
  • Shelf-Stable Food
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Toiletries / Hygeine Supplies
  • Dog / Cat Food
Fund these supplies

Why cash donations. Cash lets us buy ice, propane and water on-island and get it delivered directly into the hands of the local people. If you have bulk goods or logistics capability to offer, please contact us. Mahalo.

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.

For residents of Kaʻū

Tell us what you need.

If you are in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Discovery Harbour, Ocean View, Wood Valley, Punaluʻu, Green Sands or anywhere else in Kaʻu, tell us what your families need. We route requests to our supply runs. You do not need to be a donor, a member, or Native Hawaiian to ask. If you are asking on behalf of a neighbor who cannot get to a phone, say so — those go to the front of the list.

Send us your request

Use our contact form and start your message with KAʻU RELIEF so it is routed straight to the supply run. Tell us your town, how many people are in the house, and what you need.

 

Contact Malama Ka'u
This is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 — and if 911 does not connect, which has happened in Hawaiʻi County since the storm, call Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense

Emergency information, road closures and shelter status for the island.

(808) 935-0031

Water Supply — Water Quality

Questions about the boil water notice and when it will be lifted for your system.

(808) 961-8670

Engineering Division (808) 961-8070 · Water emergencies (808) 961-8790

Vibrant Hawaiʻi — Request for Assistance

Island-wide storm recovery intake, coordinated across Hawaiʻi Island. Submit a request at bit.ly/vh-rfa.

(808) 936-2268

Shelters open in Kaʻū

Pāhala: Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala, HI 96777.
Nāʻālehu: Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Māmalahoa Hwy, Nāʻālehu, HI 96772.

Water distribution and device charging in Kaʻū

Opened by Vibrant Hawaiʻi and partners. Bring your own containers where possible.

Pāhala Community Center — 96 Kamani St. #1149
Nāʻālehu Hongwanji — 95-5695 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd.
Ocean View, Hope-Diamond Ministries — 92-8988 Ginger Blossom Ln.

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. If you have ever wondered what it would take to make a difference in a place like this, it is this, today.