Kākoʻo Maui: Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
In the aftermath of the devastating 2023 wildfires that swept through Lahaina and other parts of Maui, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) launched the Kākoʻo Maui Program to meet the urgent and evolving needs of the community. Guided by kuleana, aloha, and lōkahi, this initiative centers long-term, community-led recovery—ensuring that the people of Maui are not just surviving, but thriving.
One powerful story of hope comes from Ikaika and Janelle Hiapo, whose Lahaina home was lost just five years after it was built. With nowhere to go and their future uncertain, the couple received critical support through Kākoʻo Maui. They were not only connected to stable housing but also received a grant that helped them begin rebuilding. Today, as construction nears completion, their home stands as a symbol of strength and the deep care of a community committed to lifting one another up.
That same care is echoed in the words of Kukui Keahi, Associate Director of Kākoʻo Maui and a wildfire survivor herself:
“Working at Kākoʻo Maui has given me the opportunity to create and administer programs that I know—through my own experience as a survivor of the Maui wildfires—will make a meaningful impact on our community. As a multigenerational resident of Lahaina, this work is deeply personal; it’s an honor to serve the very people and place that shaped who I am. What makes this journey even more powerful is serving alongside fellow survivors. Our shared experience creates a bond that fuels trust, compassion, and a deep commitment to ensuring our recovery is led by and for the community we love so dearly.”
Kākoʻo Maui is more than just a program—it’s a community of passionate individuals, like Kukui, who have lived through the aftermath of tragedy and turned that experience into a source of strength, connection, and purpose. From the beginning, Kākoʻo Maui has served as a trusted recovery partner, guiding thousands of wildfire survivors toward stability and hope. One of its most impactful milestones is the opening of the Kākoʻo Maui Relief and Aid Services Center in Kahului—a trauma-informed, culturally rooted hub offering wraparound services, navigation support, and a safe space for healing.
To build back stronger and ensure Maui’s future is rooted in local leadership, CNHA expanded its workforce development efforts. Through the Hawaiian Trades Academy, nearly 400 Maui residents have earned certifications in debris removal and construction—gaining meaningful employment while contributing directly to rebuilding their island home.
Kākoʻo Maui also provides:
- Rental Assistance & Case Navigation for displaced families
- Rebuild Support with free or low-cost architectural plans, debris removal guidance, and permitting help
- Housing Support Services to help families return with dignity
- A partnership with Hawaiʻi Energy supplying qualifying Lahaina households with Energy Star appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators through the Kākoʻo Maui Distribution Center
Throughout this journey, CNHA has remained deeply committed to listening to the community, evolving with their needs, and staying rooted in its mission. With three active service locations on Maui—the Kahului Resource Center at Maui Mall, the Lahaina Gateway Resource Center, and the Distribution Warehouse near Seafood City in Kahului—Kākoʻo Maui continues to serve as both connector and provider.
To date, the program has delivered:
- 13,000+ direct services
- 800+ homes furnished
- 1,000+ individuals housed
- Supplies distributed to 11,000+ wildfire survivors
At its core, Kākoʻo Maui represents the strength of collective aloha—a recovery led by the people, for the people.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit:
helpingmaui.org