Challenge/Need 

Even two years after the August 8th wildfires, survivors are still processing the trauma. From keiki to kūpuna, ‘ohana and community members are at different stages in the healing journey. In this journey, therapy can take many forms: fishing, shopping, playing music, cooking and eating together, exercise, lomilomi and massage, arts and crafts, talking story with friends and family, and more. Each of these resonates with different individuals at various stages in the process. Over the past two years, survivors and community organizations alike have come to recognize that thoughtfully designed community gatherings in safe, comfortable, culturally-grounded spaces can meet all of these needs. 

A myriad of motivated community groups and organizations have been coordinating and hosting community events large and small, but they have encountered roadblocks that impede their ability to fully realize their visions. Challenges include:

• Lack of suitable venues
  
  • The Lahaina Civic Center and Lahaina Cannery Mall have limitations on parking, group size, etc.; there are mixed feelings about attending events at the hotels; Lahaina doesn’t have the benefit of a dedicated Community Center (a piko) like the rest of Maui’s towns
• Funding restrictions
  
  • Geographic restrictions inhibit the hosting of events outside of Lahaina that would otherwise provide spaces for displaced residents
  • Wraparound services such as childcare and transportation often unallowable costs, though they are critical for full attendance and participation
  • Food and refreshments are often unallowable costs, but they are central to local customs around gathering together and sharing space
  • Restrictions on revenue-generating activities that would allow for local vendors

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Project description and goals

Healing is foundational to economic recovery, and community gatherings are foundational to individual and collective healing. There is an ongoing need to provide opportunities for friends, ‘ohana, and neighbors to come together, reconnect, and build pilina in spaces that are comfortable and accessible.

The goals of this ERC project are to support the curation of community events deeply rooted in Lahaina's unique and diverse culture by building capacity and opening pathways for the local community organizers to realize their visions. This includes:

• Provide healing-centered spaces grounded in cultural, artistic, and spiritual practices
• Reduce isolation while strengthening community mental health and resilience
• Empower local practitioners, kūpuna, and healers through fair compensation
• Support Lahaina small businesses and local musicians and artists through integrated mākeke and vendor opportunities
• Establish a sustainable model for long-term recovery and emotional wellbeing
• Inspire people with connections to Lahaina and Maui to move home
• Flexibility in grants and funding to enable creativity in event planning and inclusion of wraparound services

These community events promote healing and mental health support through gathering and nurturing relationships, providing opportunities for both keiki and kupuna to reconnect with their culture and community. The most effective gatherings include the following components:

• A comfortable, familiar venue
• Food and refreshments
• Local music and entertainment
• Retail with local vendors
• Age appropriate activities for keiki to kūpuna
• Childcare to enable parents to engage
• Transportation for displaced residents
• Space for sitting together, reflecting, and talking story

Outcomes of these gatherings include:

• Strengthened relationships and increased community resiliency
• Improved mental health and emotional stability
• Opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses
• A firm foundation for individuals and community to heal and move forward together

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Team members 

• Mikey Burke, Hawaiian Electric
• Nicholas Carroll, Hawaiian Council
• Daryl Fujiwara, Smythe Fujiwara Design Hawaii
• Courtney Lazo, Lahaina Strong 
• Blake Ramelb, BKreative Hawaii
• Nestor Ugale, Kaibigan Ng Lahaina
• Kim Thayer, Maui ERC Project Facilitator, SR Partners
• ‍Brainstorming Partner, Council Member Tamara Paltin

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