Lahaina, Maui – One year after becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group (Hoʻōla LTRG) is marking an important milestone in Maui’s wildfire recovery, reflecting on a year of supporting survivors as recovery efforts continue following the August 2023 wildfires.

Since its formation, Hoʻōla LTRG has served more than 1,400 wildfire survivors, supporting long-term recovery through Disaster Case Management, stabilization funding, volunteer coordination, and home rebuilding in collaboration with nonprofit, faith-based, and community partners across Maui.

“This year reinforced that long-term recovery is built on relationships and follow-through,” said Rhonda Alexander Monkres, Executive Director of Hoʻōla LTRG. “Families are navigating complex systems, layered losses, and long timelines. Our role is to walk alongside them and help connect the support needed to move forward.”

Over the past year, Disaster Case Managers working with Hoʻōla LTRG submitted nearly 500 Maui Stabilization and other grant applications, advocating for assistance with rent, mortgages, utilities, medical expenses, insurance gaps, and vehicle-related costs. To date, more than $3 million has been distributed to families across Maui, helping provide critical financial stability during extended recovery.

One survivor, a single father of two, shared the impact of stabilization support:
“The grant gave us breathing room. For the first time since the fire, I could focus on rebuilding instead of just surviving.”

As the State of Hawaiʻi prepares to close its Disaster Case Management Program in January 2026, Hoʻōla LTRG has been selected as one of three agencies statewide to receive transferred cases, allowing survivors currently enrolled in the program to continue receiving support without interruption.

Volunteer engagement has also remained a central component of recovery efforts. In 2025, 9,622 volunteer hours were logged through Hoʻōla LTRG, representing an estimated $322,000 in community impact across 47 recovery events.

A major milestone this year was the establishment of the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Volunteer Village at the former Sacred Hearts School site. The facility includes housing for 25 volunteers, workspaces, showers, laundry facilities, dining areas, and tool storage—providing a stable base for long-term rebuilding. Mennonite Disaster Service invested more than $250,000 in the facility and ongoing operations, with additional labor and materials donated by Cajudoy Construction.

In just 10 weeks, volunteer teams completed exterior construction and roofing on two homes, with inspections now underway—bringing families visibly closer to returning home.

Hoʻōla LTRG also facilitates an Unmet Needs Funders Roundtable, where Disaster Case Managers present recovery plans for survivors facing the most significant gaps in assistance. To date, 22 families have received $386,000 in pledged support through this coordinated process.

One survivor summed up the impact simply:
“I didn’t think anyone remembered us. You kept coming back. You made us feel seen.”

The organization expresses deep appreciation to the many partners who have supported its work to date, including Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Maui United Way, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Mennonite Disaster Service, Presbyterian Disaster Services, Cajudoy Construction, Lutheran Disaster Services, Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Maui Credit Union Relief Fund, Hawaiʻi VOAD, National VOAD, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and numerous local churches, volunteers, businesses, and individual donors who have contributed time, expertise, and resources.

“While meaningful progress has been made, there is still a great deal of work ahead,” Monkres said. Many families continue to face unmet needs related to housing, financial stability, and rebuilding timelines. Continued donations and community support are welcomed to sustain Disaster Case Management, volunteer coordination, and rebuilding efforts in the years ahead. 

Those interested in supporting long-term wildfire recovery can learn more and/or make a donation at https://www.mauilongtermrecovery.org/donate.

About Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group

Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group (Hoʻōla LTRG) is a nonprofit organization supporting survivors of the August 2023 Maui wildfires through coordinated long-term recovery efforts. Working in collaboration with nonprofit, faith-based, governmental, and community partners, Hoʻōla LTRG focuses on Disaster Case Management, stabilization support, volunteer coordination, and rebuilding assistance to help families move toward stability and a place to call home. Learn more at www.mauilongtermrecovery.org.

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