Day 1: TALK STORY: The Maui Fires and Leadership with ʻĀina at the Center
“We were rendering aid— food, medical, and those immediate needs until such that the government arrived. So we were in operation for 30 days.” —Kalikolehua Storer
“Hard decisions had to be made that day. My daughter would grab the pets and I would grab my uncle. This was the plan… On the one-year date, I scattered my uncle’s ashes that morning. I felt free, and I felt he was free. — I tell my daughter, my husband, and even my pets all the time we made it.” —Laurie Lei DeGama
“As we make new memories moving forward, we must learn from the bad ones and treasure the good ones, and together we can and together we will build a better future, not with selfishness or greed, but with a cohesive understanding that we honor our past, live in safety and comfort in the present, and continue to build a solid legacy for future generations to follow.” —Earle Kukahiko
“We will not be defined by loss, but by our response, our love and our unwavering commitment to rebuild. Let the story of our resilience be the legacy we forge for generations to come.” —Mish Shishido
“My memory still taps into the scent of charred cars and debris as I think about the elders hiding in homes that stood still afraid, lonely and without a clue in the world of what was to come.” —Nestor Ugale
2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
When the devastating Maui wildfires tore through the historic town of Lahaina, the community found itself facing unimaginable loss. Yet, from the ashes, a remarkable story of resilience and community empowerment began to emerge. Everyday people, guided by the values of aloha and ohana, stepped up to lead the charge in rebuilding their beloved home.
Witness the remarkable leadership that emerged as Jennifer sits with Kalikolehua Storer, Laurie Lei Degama, Earle Kuhahiko, Mish Shishido, and Nestor Ugale.
This powerful conversation offers a rare glimpse into the untold stories of Lahaina’s recovery, as these emergent leaders share their firsthand accounts of addressing critical challenges, uplifting marginalized groups, and weaving cultural traditions into the rebuilding process.
Highlights:
- 01:05 Meet Kalikolehua Storer
- 06:52 Meet Laurie Lei DeGama
- 16:42 Meet Earle Kukahiko
- 20:56 Meet Mish Shishido
- 24:24 Meet Nestor Ugale
- 30:36 Speaking the Language of Hope, Community, and Resilience
- 42:45 Thanks to Emergent Leaders
Tweets:
When disaster struck Lahaina, everyday people became heroes. Hear the gripping firsthand accounts of how this tight-knit community banded together as @JenGrayThompson sits with Kalikolehua Storer, Laurie Lei Degama, Earle Kuhahiko, Mish Shishido, and Nestor Ugale. #Recover #Rebuild #Reimagine #podcast #wildfire #DisasterRecovery #AfterTheFire #2024WildfireLeadershipSummit #TheMauiFire #LahainaRising #Community #EmergentLeaders
Quotes:
02:29 “Every one of the leaders was doing what they needed to do to stand up their community with food, with aid, with medical attention. But there hadn’t yet been a place where all leaders of Lahaina could meet.” —Kalikolehua Storer
04:55 “We were rendering aid— food, medical, and those immediate needs until such that the government arrived. So we were in operation for 30 days.” —Kalikolehua Storer
09:06 “Hard decisions had to be made that day. My daughter would grab the pets and I would grab my uncle. This was the plan… On the one-year date, I scattered my uncle’s ashes that morning. I felt free, and I felt he was free. — I tell my daughter, my husband, and even my pets all the time we made it.” —Laurie Lei DeGama
11:59 “ It was the first time I realized I was not the volunteer. I was the person in need.” —Laurie Lei DeGama
18:22 “There are so many different issues, however, they all somehow overlap and intertwine with one another. Bringing those together in a safe and trustworthy space to share accomplishments, thoughts, and vision has been vital to how we proceed forward.” —Earle Kukahiko
20:19 “As we make new memories moving forward, we must learn from the bad ones and treasure the good ones, and together we can and together we will build a better future, not with selfishness or greed, but with a cohesive understanding that we honor our past, live in safety and comfort in the present, and continue to build a solid legacy for future generations to follow.” —Earle Kukahiko
22:27 “I sense a fire within each of you, a flame that outburns any wildfire. We are the descendants of brave Pacific voyagers, of a people who built a thriving community on this sun-kissed land, resilience courses through our veins. Resourcefulness is our birthright, and hope is the very core of who we are.” —Mish Shishido
23:09 “Perseverance can shatter any obstacle that together we can rebuild, restore, and emerge like the phoenix from the ashes. Just as our native forests lie dormant, awaiting the fires to clear the way for new growth, so too lies within us the power to rise anew.” —Mish Shishido
24:05 “We will not be defined by loss, but by our response, our love, and our unwavering commitment to rebuild. Let the story of our resilience be the legacy we forge for generations to come.” —Mish Shishido
26:46 “My memory still taps into the scent of charred cars and debris as I think about the elders hiding in homes that stood still afraid, lonely, and without a clue in the world of what was to come.” —Nestor Ugale
30:08 “Going to work is also called resiliency building, someone has to keep this economy afloat.” —Nestor Ugale
32:48 “It’s not about the scope of the tragedy, it’s really about the depth of the humanity and response, which encapsulates everything that we are ever trying to do in this work for each other.” —Jennifer Gray Thompson
35:50 “Today, we have nowhere to go but up.” —Kalikolehua Storer
38:09 “We’re not going to have everything done the way we want or the way that it should be, but we can at least start the process for our future generation to prosper and to continue.” —Earle Kukahiko
41:13 “There are so many things that this wildfire has illuminated for us to deal with. And we were being forced to even look at it from so many different angles.” —Mish Shishido
Meet The Moderator:
Jennifer Gray Thompson, MPA, Founder & CEO of After the Fire USA
Jennifer Gray Thompson is a lifelong resident of Sonoma Valley in Northern California’s wine country. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College and graduated from Dominican University with dual degrees in English and History, and earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy. After the devastating fires of October 2017, she accepted her current position as Executive Director of Rebuild Northbay Foundation (RNBF), a long-term post-disaster organization dedicated to helping our region rebuild better, greener, safer, and faster. In this capacity, Jennifer has traveled across the country to share the innovative model of RNBF with colleagues and newly disaster-affected communities. Jennifer resides in Sonoma Valley with her husband, Douglas, children, and two rescue dogs, Buddy and GiGi, who have both randomly appeared in podcast cameos.
Meet The Panel
Kalikolehua Storer, Mayor’s Advisory Committee, Operations Manager, Pu’u Kukui Watershed
Kalikolehua Storer is a dedicated community member with a passion for both cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. As an area training and cultural advisor for Hyatt Resorts, she shares her knowledge of Hawaiian traditions and values with visitors and employees alike. She also serves as the Pu’u Kukui Watershed operations supervisor, playing a vital role in protecting this critical ecosystem. Her diverse roles reflect her commitment to connecting people with the land, its history, and its future.
Laurie Lei DeGama, Community Leader, Mayor’s Advisory Committee
Laurie DeGama is a lifelong Lahaina resident with a deep commitment to her community. As the owner of No Ka Oi Deli, she carries on a family tradition of serving the people of Lahaina with delicious food and warm hospitality. Her family’s legacy in the town dates back two generations, with the ownership and operation of the beloved Hop Wo store and bakery. Beyond her business, Laurie is actively involved in the community as the president of the Lahainaluna PTSA, advocating for the educational success of the next generation. Laurie’s dedication to Lahaina is evident in her work, leadership, and unwavering spirit.
Earle Kukahiko, Community Leader, Mayor’s Advisory Committee
Earle Kukahiko is a lifelong resident of Lahaina, Maui and a respected kupuna (elder) in the community. As a member of the Lahaina Advisory Committee formed after the devastating 2023 wildfires, Earle brings a valuable perspective rooted in the cultural traditions and history of the region. With deep ties to the land and community, Earle plays a crucial role in ensuring the rebuilding and recovery efforts are done in a righteous and compassionate manner, honoring the past while building a solid legacy for future generations. His commitment to instilling hope and guiding the community through this challenging time is a testament to his leadership and the resilience of the Lahaina ohana.
Mish Shishido, Community Leader, Mayor’s Advisory Committee
Mish Shishido is a dedicated educator with a passion for learning and community engagement. She spent 21 years as a high school teacher in Oahu, inspiring generations of students. Mish continues to share her knowledge and expertise as an online tutor, reaching students across the islands.
Mish embodies the philosophy of “thinking globally and acting locally,” demonstrating this through her volunteer work with the Kihei Fourth Friday Town Party. For the past years, Mish has been an active participant in this community event, forging connections, making friends, and gaining valuable insights into the issues facing her community.
Nestor Ugale Jr., Community Leader, Mayor’s Advisory Committee
Nestor Ugale is a lifelong resident of Lahaina and a member of the Lahaina Advisory Committee. After the 2023 wildfires, he joined the committee to represent the kupuna (elders) and advocate for the Filipino and immigrant communities. As a fourth-generation Lahaina Filipino, Nestor played a crucial role in reaching out to underserved neighborhoods and ensuring they received necessary aid. He co-founded the nonprofit Kaibigan ng Lahaina to address socioeconomic, mental health, and educational needs. Nestor’s local knowledge and commitment to supporting Lahaina’s diverse residents have made him an invaluable asset in the community’s recovery efforts.
Transcription:
Jennifer Gray Thompson: One of the things that we really loved about the first day that we met the Mayor was in December of 2023, and we thought that he was going to stay for like a half an hour. But I think he kept us there for two and a half, three hours, which I loved. And one of the things he said was, I formed this advisory council. What do you think about it? I’m like, I think it’s pretty cool. And he goes, well, I didn’t bring on my biggest fans. And I thought, well, that’s leadership, quite frankly, if you’re willing to hear the other parts too. So what I’m hoping for today, the way that we’re going to start is we’re going to go down the row, and 4 the people who are here, and they’re going to tell you a little bit about their fire story. And then I have some questions for them. So let’s go ahead and get started.
Kalikolehua Storer: The time of the day is, in Hawaii, it’s morning. Aloha. My name is Kalikolehua Storer. I live in Leialii Lahaina. My Ohana comes from Kaupo, Maua and Naopuu, Kaupo. My ohana comes from Makena Honua’ula, as well as Kahakuloa, the head of the island. It’s a pleasure to be with you folks today. I think what I want to share is, in the early days after the fire, I was a kako o or a support to the leaders of Lahaina. Specifically to (inaudible), to Cynthia Lallo, to Amos Lonokailua-Hewett, My mom, Archie Kalepa, Danny Boy Palakiko. What that looked like was, I just did whatever needed to be done. I held a radio, gave it a radio. Because at the time, we recognized that there was no official order of government support. And so what that looked like is we found an empty space to set up camp, and we recognized that every one of the leaders were doing what they needed to do to stand up their community with food, with aid, with medical attention. But there hadn’t yet been a place where all leaders of Lahaina could meet. And so that’s where we came in to support, to be a conduit for the mayor. And through the guidance, we all had a mission statement in our own head. But not a collective one. And so we’re very grateful. Because a year later, the gentleman that sat us all down while I was in the back of the room was Amos Lonokailua-Hewett, and he was voluntold by my mom to say, boy, you’re going to be in charge. And he was really just passing through because he was servicing another hub up north.
And what it looked like was he took out a bunch of flip chart paper and some pens, and he made all the leaders sit down, who at the time didn’t have time to sit. I’m talking to the people that know what I’m talking about. And to have a leadership sit for any longer than five minutes to talk about a mission statement, and to really through cultural, traditional way of moderating getting everybody together from perspective, he was able to get them all to sit and think about, what are we doing? And so collectively, we say that we are rendering aid, immediate aid to an entire community. So it didn’t matter what culture you were from or ethnicity. But collectively, we were there for the immediate need and to render aid. And so in that conversation, some of us were talking about trailers with modular homes. Some of us were talking about growing trees. Some of us were talking about, where do I get the bread and milk from? Some were talking about that helicopter going to land. It’s going to bring food. And Chief Amos said, hold on. And that was hard. Because transparently, we became very offended with him telling us to hold on. But in doing so, a year later, we all sit in a room today where if we could have to redo this again, we’d be one team to not mess with because we had great order, and we were able to identify what we were immediately doing. And so this operation, the name of we became the West Maui Community Aid because we were rendering aid, food, medical and those immediate needs until such that the government arrived. So we were in operation for 32 days, and we had 12 communities that we had to organize initially. And then some of us were returning back to normal life. Not a normal life, I should say. The next phase, because we were prepped for that. They said, this is what’s going to happen. It’s all going to happen really quick. So we’ve had to make adjustments until the government arrives to help us stand up and harden these disaster resource centers.
And so I share that from that perspective, because some of us may not know that, and some of us may have forgotten. Those heroes in the very beginning told me that I was just the girl that made sure that all the uncles and aunties had food. They had an organized place, and they were walking into chaos. And now a year later, somebody passed me the mic. And so I told Jen when I met her, we all said this, when her and her whole entourage walked in, at first, I was like, man, another group of people gonna yell at us and gonna tell us what we’re not doing, and what this person isn’t doing, and where have you been. And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And she came in, and I think all of us just kind of exhaled. I think I might have cried the most. Because finally, somebody could speak our language. I didn’t have to be defensive about why I was hanging out with the mayor, and why all of a sudden I chose to be on this secret team. And that was the thing too. People thought we were having secret meetings. We didn’t even know what a secret meeting was. Anyway, my time is up. Let’s go.
Jennifer Gray Thompson: We’re very proud of this endorsement, by the way. Laurie, do you mind?
Laurie Lei DeGama: I love how you said he didn’t pick his biggest fans. I didn’t even know the mayor before the fire. But I will say that I was born and raised in Lahaina, and I am a fire survivor. Lahaina and the island of Maui has been having many fires ever since the era of the sugar plantation fields, and what was once green sugar cane is now dry grass. 2018 was our warning. The fire came from Kualoa Valley, more south side of where I live. We had time to escape from this fire. Fortunately, the wind stopped as soon as the fire reached our main road. The escape with my daughter who was 10 at the time, I loaded all the animals and drove across the street where my uncle went to an adult daycare. I ran back and grabbed my uncle, ran him across the street and called the ambulance to pick him up because he couldn’t walk. I ran back to my house and kept saying out loud, if it all burns, what are you taking? So I grabbed more things. Lahaina has been on PTSD ever since then. Four or five homes burnt right next to my house. The county water truck saved my house that year. There was no water in the fire hydrant across the street. August 8, 2023, the fire early in the morning, super high winds. I woke up to the noise of people’s roof shingles running across my roof like a train. Luckily, my roof was brand new. We had just changed it. If not, it probably would have flown off. Fire trucks went up the hill, but the fire seemed to have been put out.
And so we continued to deal with the wind all day, blowing things around and trying to secure things. PTSD made me and my daughter pack a little clothes to just throw in the car just in case. My important papers, jewelry and money were in bags left by the door. 2018 was our test run, our game plan. I needed one since my husband Elton was not home, and in the mainland. Things happen for a reason. We believe he was home. We would have been fighting about leaving my uncle behind and probably got burnt escaping, or not even made it at all because hard decisions had to be made. That day, my daughter would grab the pets and I would grab my uncle. This was the plan. August 8, 2023 in the afternoon, the fire began. I heard the fire trucks go up the hill. I ran out to look, and neighbors and I agreed that we will let each other know if we need to go. There was no time. We literally had about five minutes to get out of there. We had solar batteries. So I had the AC running, even though there was no electricity so we couldn’t hear outside or smell how bad the smoke was. I just so happened to look out the window, seeing neighbors leaving. I told my daughter who was 15 at the time, the green clan is on. She got the leashes on the two dogs, wrangled up the three kittens, and we put them in the pet bag. I took the fire extinguisher, pulled the pan.
I went to my uncle’s room where he was just sitting quietly with his back to me as I unlocked his sliding door for his rescue. I said my quiet goodbye at this time as time stood still and said to myself, the fire department will come and get him. I went back to this gate mode and looked out the sliding door to see if the wind might die down. Yet embers were flying through the garage and side of the house, and the car was right next to it. It was time to go. The wind wasn’t going to stop, and we needed to load up. As I finished loading the back, my two feral cats came running up to me screaming to take them. This actually became my most traumatizing moment for me, because I had to leave them behind. And a big gust came, and they ran. We went up around the corner. My daughter called 911 to send someone to get my uncle. I told the police there, and they were busy directing traffic. We passed a fire truck trying to hook up to the same fire hydrant in 2018 with no water, once again. We saw the dark smoke by our house and kept driving and stopping on side in case 911 called needing assistance. We never got a call, so I decided to go escaping in the traffic to get to our family house. We could already see the fire had made it down near town, and the poles were blocking the highway, and that’s why it was taking so long. We finally made it to our family’s home. We never unpacked.
I had my breakdown and was in shock, and I was on adrenaline and waited for our next move. The fire was coming, so we headed north to our auntie’s house in Napili. Five families, seven cars, and three other families were already there. We slept in the car with our pets. No electricity, no cell service, but there was a bathroom, food and water if we needed. Everything was now word of mouth. Word was to go to the Ritz Carlton to get supplies. It was the first time I realized that I was not a volunteer. I was the person in need. The next word was, boats were coming from Molokai, our Oceanside, bringing supplies on the lower road. Some of us needed gas, food, and water. We even got delivery from others as more supplies came in. In the meantime, you stood in the middle of the road to try and catch cell service for Molokai. Trying to call my husband to let him know we were okay, and trying to get a hold of my mom to let her know we were okay not knowing she had her own escape and where I thought we would now be living had burnt as well. They had to listen to the radio because there was no cell service. It said that you couldn’t go in and out of Lahaina. Families from the Central side loaded up and came around the north end to bring us things. Taking a chance they might get stuck, but bringing whatever supplies they could. A hub was eventually set up at Napili plaza where you could get food, clothes, everything. A plane actually flew overhead saying there was water, food and supplies there. And in all this chaos, I thought, so I need to call 911 to ask if they got my uncle. Maybe I could see it on my security cameras.
Luckily, the greater divine intercepted that transaction, and I sadly never got the call. So I could only assume the worst. I just remain numb. Four days later, word was the hotel was housing emergency workers. My cousin worked for MPD. Problem was we had our pets. Honua Kai took us in. I can’t even remember if we had to show an ID, definitely no credit card. The room wasn’t even cleaned. The visitors had to leave, and they didn’t have electricity. I didn’t care. There was a washing machine/dryer, so I cleaned so we could stay in a room and not in our car. This became our non congregate shelter. Although grateful, it was traumatizing because we weren’t sure how long we could stay. Where we would go. And if we would get kicked out or moved by the Red Cross. As we are up in the air, we are now dealing with our insurance, speaking to our assigned agent, listing everything we have lost, filling out paperwork. Till this day, I’m still trying to get the maximum amount for my mom’s property. And on top of this, we were now going through paperwork, debris cleanup and sifting with a Samaritan purse. Canceling all your services for the house that was no longer there so you wouldn’t get billed. It was a lot. 10 months later, my daughter asked from the fire to be able to go to her school up the road. Get rid of the CD that played shining star during our escape, and not to live at our Lahainaluna house because this was our second fire already. She doesn’t feel safe, especially because it’s all brush on the south side of our homes. Luckily, we have my mom’s property to rebuild and live on. We were supposed to rent a place near the burn zone at the higher rent rates due to FEMA and greedy landlords’ mess.
A friend offering 3,500 plus utilities, but not 5,000 at least. We then found out that they were allergic to cats. It was a deal breaker. No one wants to rent to people with pets, and we couldn’t stand the NCS program for much longer. We finally purchased a condo unit that a friend was selling at the appraised rate and not price gouging, which also allowed pets. 10 months after the fire, a lady who was volunteering and feeding cats in the burn zone scanned and found my two feral cats. They had escaped up above the bypass and made it. This made me super happy. Because every time I went back to my property, I would call for them. I no longer have to wonder or worry about them. It is not home. We’re here because we have to be. The one year date, there was a paddle out. I scattered my uncle’s ashes that morning. I felt free, and I felt he was free. We are still surviving. We now have to go through the whole process of rebuilding. Yet we’ve spent half of our money for now, and I’m still filling out paperwork. Each person who is directly in the line of that fire has an escape story like mine. And most are truly traumatic. I am grateful to have decided to go uphill as opposed to down. That day, I thank my angels all the time for guiding me right. I’ve made some really good friends along the way, even with the mayor. I tell my daughter, my husband and even my pets all the time we made it. Thank you.
Earle Kukahiko: My name is Earl Kukahiko. I am a lifelong resident of Lahaina. Actually, one of very few left, I think. Born and raised in Lahaina in the old plantation, what they called the dispensary back then, which now we call a medical group, I guess. So we lost four homes. My son lost his, my daughter lost hers, my wife and I lost ours, and my parents home of almost 60 years also was burned to the ground. So I believe at this stage and why the mayor called me in was to represent our kupuna, which is a term we use as elders in our community. I really didn’t know I was a kupuna until Kaliko introduced me as a kupuna in front of President Biden. And at that point, I was kind of looking around. Is my dad here? But anyway, I coached Kaliko in girls fast speed softball at a very young age and into her high school career so I let it pass. Anyway, since the fire, there are actually three tasks that I was impressed upon, while also still learning. Still trying to learn to navigate, finding the balance between what was, what we now have, and what we need to move forward. First was creating that bridge between entities as we fought for water, as we continue to fight for water, housing, cultural recognition and economic stability. I’ve come to learn that there are so many different issues. However, they all somehow overlap and intertwine with one another. Bringing those together in a safe and trustworthy space to share accomplishments, thoughts and vision has been vital to how we proceed forward.
Second, making sure things are done in a pono righteous way. Kupuna do not have to be in the fight. There are many capable appeals, as we call young people warriors who have been on the ground doing it for a long time. Some for many years. What we need as kupuna is to make sure that it is done in an apono way with respect and compassion for one another. For example, we need to bring them to the table to stay in the conversation. And not to just say your peace and leave, but to stay and listen to the other side, and we may have more in common than we thought. And lastly is to instill hope in our community. We’ve been forced into multiple layers, phases and levels of hope. Growing up, if we needed a definition, we’d go to the dictionary. Today, my granddaughter told me that people go to Google. So this is Google’s definition. A feeling of expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen. An optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcome with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life. A feeling of trust when challenges arise, making sure that things do not fall through the crack. Making sure people’s anxieties are kept to a minimum. As we make new memories moving forward, we must learn from the bad ones, and treasure the good ones. And together, we can. And together, we will build a better future. Not with selfishness or greed, but with a cohesive understanding that we honor our past, live in safety and comfort in the present, and continue to build a solid legacy for future generations to follow.
Mish Shishido: If You would picture this, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, Robert Owen, giants in the world of educational reform, each blazing their trail. Now, imagine a room filled with modern day trailblazers. Just look around stepping off planes out of cars united by a single purpose. What fuels their journey? An unshakable belief that their voices will echo through these halls, sparking change that will ripple far beyond. For 29 years, I stood in front of the classroom guiding students through the world of science, history, english and mathematics. But today, I stand before you in a new role as an assistant to Archie Kalepa, a soul whose very heartbeat echoes the rhythm of this land and its people. The wildfires that have ravaged our beloved Lahaina have ripped me from the classroom, and thrust me into the ultimate test of our resolve, our aloha and our collective strength. To those who have lost homes, livelihoods and the cherished landscapes of childhood memories, I see your pain. It’s etched into the charred faces of Earth. But even in the ashes, I sense a fire within each of you. A flame that burns any wildfire. We are the descendants of brave pacific voyagers of a people who built a thriving community on this sun kissed land. Resilience courses through our veins. Resourcefulness is our birthright, and hope is the very core of who we are. Our kupuna taught us that every challenge conceals an opportunity, that every ending marks a new dawn. Now is the time to call upon the lessons we learned in the classroom and the living laboratory of this community.
The lesson is that perseverance can shatter any obstacle that together we can rebuild, restore, and emerge like the phoenix from the ashes. Just as our native forests lie dormant awaiting the fires to clear the way for new growth, so too lies within us the power to rise in you. Archie Kalepa, my friend, my leader, my now boss has a vision for our rebirth. A plan to heal our land and our hearts. I call upon you, my ohana, to join hands with him, with me, with each other. Let us be the builders, the caretakers, the dreamers. Let aloha be our compass as we navigate this journey. We will mourn, we will heal, and we will rise for we are Lahaina. And this is our home. We will not be defined by loss, but by our response, our love and our unwavering commitment to rebuild. Let the story of our resilience be the legacy we forge for generations to come.
Nestor Ugale: My name is Nestor Ugale, and I sit on the Lahaina Advisory Committee for Mayor Richard Bissen. I joined in the beginning of December 2023, just four months after the devastating wildfires. With the all star cast already assembled, I didn’t believe I was adding much value to the team. However, the Mayor convinced me otherwise. He assured me that I’ll be adding the right dimension and perspective to an ever changing landscape. As a son of Lahaina, born and raised, I consider myself very lucky. Like my own blood family, the community at large is as much responsible for who I am today. The geographical setup and isolated nature of Lahaina adds to the exclusivity and protectionism that is for better or for worse. The identity of Lahaina and its community, similar to most tourist destinations, real estate prices and gentrification forced me to move away from my hometown while commuting to and from Lahaina for economic reliance. In the wake of the fires, I found myself on the other side of a mountain catching glimpses of photos, phone calls and voicemails, and horrific stories with no steady stream of communication and a general idea of what was happening those outside of Lahaina like myself, who were paying attention had to piece together a sense of what was actually happening to a truly isolated town.
The next week would not only alter the lives of those who lost everything, including family members. But on a personal note, it has altered how I conduct my day to day, and has redirected the trajectory that is my purpose of being a Lahaina community member. Within the next 48 hours, my wife and I explored every option there was to join with other desperate groups, other desperate families to make our way into Lahaina. Without an address in Lahaina proper, I was prohibited from entering our own town. How was I to reach my brother and the rest of my family to ensure their safety? I ended up joining the efforts of local chefs who paired with world central kitchens, and earned my way in by delivering tens of thousands of hot meals to people with no homes, no cars, no electricity, no water, and no form of formal communication. The next three to six weeks felt like a blur. I was tired, but I kept going. My memory still taps into the scent of charred cars and debris as I think about the elders hiding in homes that stood still. Afraid, lonely and without a clue in the world of what was to come. This work has been my driving force within the first week of disaster response. The pockets of survivors were being identified and cared for, and we noticed that there were still some pockets of communities that were still in dire need of attention. The immigrant community. More specifically, the Filipino and Latino community. I am a fourth generation Lahaina Filipino.
I don’t speak any Filipino languages, but I do understand a little bit. And as it turns out, Filipinos are the second largest ethnic group today in Lahaina, and make up more than even half the students in a public education system. More Filipino lives were lost versus any other ethnic group. So naturally, my efforts focus on those neighborhoods because that’s where I grew up, and that’s where my family and friends live. Until power was restored, the fear and uncertainty, many people lived and affected their ability to trust outside aid. And my face, along with the crew that came along with me, we’re the only ones that entire neighborhoods trusted. As crucial infrastructure returned, housing aid stood up, federal and international aid began to pour in, I finally returned to my family. However, it wasn’t long after that, people started to wonder, where are the Filipino people? Why aren’t they showing up for help? And if there is such a large population, why are they still not showing up on our surveys and other data collection sheets? The perplexity of our Filipino community is still one that isn’t fully understood, which is a huge problem. Since the invitation to join the Mayor’s advisory, I’ve been able to network and collaborate with government and non government entities who aim to address all of the issues that affect everyone in the Filipino community. I have since founded a nonprofit, along with some dear friends of mine, focusing on Filipinos and the immigrants in West Maui with the aim of addressing socioeconomic mobility, mental health and wellness, and the advancement in education and professional development born out of pure necessity.
Prior to this effort, there was a void of support to address our community in these ways. The name of our group is called Kaibigan ng Lahaina, or friends of Lahaina. We realize the language access and cultural nuances often get forgotten in western approaches to disaster response, and that we hope and by understanding that we can tell an approach that is softer, welcoming and appropriate. It’s through this foresight, understanding and support of our Mayor Rick Bissen, that a young, professional leader in the community was even considered to join such a platform. Let alone feel empowered to organize and mobilize on behalf of such a large faction of our community. There are no words I can offer that will amount to the level of gratitude I have for him and his team. I apologize that I’m unable to join the conference. Mayor can tell you that I even had him write a mayor’s note, like a parent note, to see if my boss would pay for my time away from work while I travel to Sonoma to be with all of you. I just have to remember that going to work is also called resiliency building, and so someone has to keep this economy afloat. I just want to wish, maraming, maraming salamat, or thank you so very much for the opportunity to share my story, my involvement with Mayor Bissen and these amazing individuals. I pray that the work we do only adds to the amazing things that you all have already accomplished. Thank you.
Jennifer Gray Thompson: I’m sure as you’re looking through the schedule, you will notice that there is a big emphasis on Maui in particular. And I would like to really call that out in the fact that of all the fires I worked in nearly seven years, it is the most complicated one by far. It’s the level of casualties. It’s also the level of loss. It’s the most remote place on earth. It’s all that you’re hearing. We waited actually longer than four months to go in, because we knew all these people had rushed in, and I could not see what use we would be early. We certainly didn’t want to take up any room or space. We started two months earlier making as many connections as we could, and then we came as a team. Many of the people who came with us are in this room today. And it was for many of us, even though we should be hardened and wizened disaster people, it was intensely transformative. And when my husband picked me up from the airport, I was like, oh, my god. Honey, you don’t even know. All these years, this thing I’ve been doing that keeps me going in this business, which is about humanity, right? I see it pop up in communities, and then maybe it pops right back down. But I’m like, you don’t understand. In Maui, they have names for it. It’s normal. It’s like they have names for how to do the right thing by each other. They have ohana, it’s about the land. It was like finding a language that I didn’t even know existed because I had a lot to learn about Hawaii, and I’m still doing that in Maui. But the people have taught every disaster professional that I know, even Chris Smith, Jim Alvey.
A lot of us came back from that trip differently because of the way that we learned what we learned by listening, but also because they insisted on giving back to us, like through native Hawaiian philanthropy who were so nice. I almost cracked in half. I’m like, no, no. I’m here to be nice to you. If you’re any nicer to me, I’m not going to survive it. But it was wonderful. So this is why, because I think we all have something to learn. It’s not about the scope of the tragedy. It’s really about the depth of humanity and response, which encapsulates everything that we are ever trying to do in this work for each other. So I have some questions for you, and we can go down the line. So it’s obvious. We know the fire hurt the community, and we’ve all been hurting with you and for you. But is there one thing that surprised you that it did actually that you could call, I don’t want to call it a positive, like an unexpected outcome that felt right, or pride, or something like that that came out of this moment?
Laurie Lei DeGama: I think it just focused more on Lahaina and uncovered a lot of the problems. One being the water. Like I said, our fire hydrants did not have water. I literally just joked about this while walking across to Whole Foods. I was teasing Amos in charge of me when I said, oh, look at this decoration over here. And he looked at it. And I go, yeah, that’s what we have in Lahaina because they don’t have water. And so moving forward, what are we going to do about it? Because my biggest problem was, because there was no water, I felt the fire should have gone straight down towards the ocean, but it went out sideways. And so there was no way of stopping it. You just had to kind of watch it, I think. And so moving forward, and for me, wanting to move back home, I can’t move back home until it’s figured out. I hope to find more information out here about it, but it uncovered that for me.
Jennifer Gray Thompson: That’s a good thing.
Kalikolehua Storer: What is hopeful for me is one part of my line of work. I work in the conservation watershed, and I was raised around a Hawaiian family that has a Hawaiian perspective. Aina and kai are important to us. And the beautiful thing about this is sometimes, when you are doing aina work and you’re the one small group way back in the mountain that nobody sees. Maybe they hear about you. Maybe they hear you’re growing some trees, planting some taro. But now, the beautiful thing is, everybody wants to plant a tree. Everybody wants to learn about how to plant food, what can sustain me, and so you just start to hear the buzz throughout the town. And in Hawaiian, our children go to Hawaiian immersion, Kula Kaiapuni. And in that setting, through Hawaiian language and Hawaiian perspective, we teach the children how to be grounded. Nowadays, they call it, oh, let’s go get grounded. In Hawaii, to be grounded is to take off your slippers and get into a taro patch, and take care of the things that feed you. So we come out of the womb thinking that perspective. And today, we have nowhere to go but up. So you may as well get your hands in the ground, your butt in the air, and get to planting. Because the more talking that we’ve done over the years, that just wastes time.
But today, now we can talk, plant, eat and watch things grow. All at the same time. Very, very hopeful that we will never starve. Our kupuna say, the rain will follow the forest. We see it. The forest is way up at the summit. But no. The forest is halfway down in the forest because the rain is starting to follow the trees that have no water system. It is on the rain that comes from the top of the mountain, and it’s nearly right above Honolulu Bay. So can you tell that I get excited. I’m very hopeful, because everybody’s gonna have food, and the water will come with the more trees we plant.
Earle Kukahiko: Okay, well, kupuna brain, so I hope I answer the question that you asked. But for me, I kind of grew up in the plantation, pineapple picking era. Both my parents worked in the school system, and so we were pretty much sheltered from a lot of the cultural significance. So it was a really rude awakening. Learning a lot of the things that we’re now experiencing culturally as well as economically. And so like Laurie mentioned, water, I didn’t realize. I was always wondering why I had to stop watering my yard. But then the golf courses were nice and green out there. And so it’s not that we don’t have enough water, it’s just we’re restricted to our residents. We only have 22% that actually went to the residents. The rest all went to private entities. So those are some I think the Wake Up Calls. One of the things that we are working on is that with this fire, we have a chance to press a restart button and try, fix and repair. We’re not going to have everything done the way we want, or the way that it should be. But we can at least start the process for our future generation to prosper and to continue. The other shocking thing I learned just recently is that there’s only 16% of homeowners that actually live on the property that they have in Lahaina. So how can we get our young people back on the aina to afford being a resident living on your property. So again, these are a lot of the challenges that we are working towards. And hopefully, we can accomplish it.
Mish Shishido: So one of the hopeful discussions that I’ve been a witness to with Archie, and the housing discussions that have been going on would be the financial mindset. So his question to me was, how come so many people, when they get their lease, or their name gets called up for Department of Hawaiian Homelands, they don’t qualify for their mortgage, and they say that they’ve been waiting on the list for 20 plus years. And I said, well, it’s because there wasn’t a financial mindset change over the 20 years. And so the literacy for finances has to change. And what’s being written into a few of the housing projects that we’re working on, private housing projects, is a financial literacy program. That would help the appeal, or anyone that is buying help to change that mindset. So I believe that that’s part of it as well. And one of the discussions that we did have early on when the White House had sent a contingency out about a year ago was that many of the homeowners were underinsured. I’m sure that that was a problem here too. No one told us that. Wildfire insurance was needed. There wasn’t a fire engine that was going to respond to the homes within 15 minutes because it couldn’t get there. So that was another issue. I believe the educational process now is also changing, so I am hopeful. Because in two weeks, the superintendent and the cases, or all the area superintendents are going to be visiting the Lahaina complex, and I’m on that front end.
So even though it broke my heart to walk away from my classroom a week after the fire had happened, and that was by choice, because of who I was going to begin working for, I am putting myself and becoming very hopeful that that system, that the Department of Education system that I felt was imploding, I put myself on that front line because that’s where it begins. It’s literacy. So here is where I find it. There’s so many things that this fire, this wildfire has illuminated for us to deal with. We’re being forced to even look at it from so many different angles, and this has allowed us to say, I do, mahalo our mayor. I had the privilege of teaching his grandson, who is thriving today. But when he was in my classroom, I got all the stories. He is not unlike any other student that I’ve had, but my job was to create that spark. And that same thing is going to happen in a week from now when we converge all these canoes in the ocean, which is where the heart of the matter starts with all of our kiki in Lahaina. They get to get out there and swim to the canoe, touch the canoe, learn how our ancestors used that to get to where we are, and that’s literacy. So it goes from the very top to the bottom, and in preparation. So I believe it starts with literacy in so many areas. We do need to get them to own those homes. And the housing projects that Archie’s working on, that’s a component that he’s been weaving in there as well.
Jennifer Gray Thompson: I did want to say that one of the things we love the most in this organization is what we call an emergent leader, which are people who did not have an official role before the fire, but take on an outsized leadership role after the fire. And I would consider having a Mayor’s Advisory Council of not your biggest fans, a very much best practice that I would like to see more communities adopt because then they’re not afraid to tell you what’s true and what’s needed. These are emergent leaders who already had social capital in the community, so it was a very smart thing to do. They are a big part of the reason, including many of these people in this room, of why the Federal Government has even bent to the will of Maui in ways that are wonderful. And I would like to thank all of you for your really hard work, and for coming here to Sonoma to be with us. Thank you.