Live Updates
Department of Human Services (DHS) Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) Housing Specialist training at the GEM office this week. #maui #lahaina #firerecovery
The State of Hawaii’s Disaster Case Management Program’s day of remembrance for the 2-yr anniversary of the Maui wildfires. The DCMP made 102 leis to honor the 102 lives lost in the fires and placed the leis at the Teardrop of Lahaina memorial. #maui #lahaina #fire #recovery
GEM Hawaii-Pacific team. Increasing our case workers by more than 100%. St Vincent de Paul doing the new hire State of Hawaii DCM Program training at GEM today.
The Maui Relief TANF Program, administered by @mauieconomicopportunity (MEO) and @globalempowermentmissionhawaii provides short-term and long-term support to families with children whose income is at or below 350% of the federal poverty level and who were directly or indirectly affected by the wildfires.
While the program offers a range of benefits, housing support is only available to families who suffered property loss. Support is temporary and limited to eight months plus security deposit. Benefits are only available to families with dependents. Scan the QR code above to apply today! To learn more about our work in Hawaii visit the link in our bio, or: https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/maui-wildfires/ #maui #wildfires #disasterrecovery #GEM #MEO
Our GEM Hawaii team has been working diligently to place over 300 families back into intermediate housing solutions. There’s still so much to do. This program is in partnership with the State of Hawai’i and DHS. #maui
📍Kaanapali, Maui📍
🌟 Today marks a significant milestone for the community of Lahaina! We`re thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Sacred Hearts School of Lahaina at its temporary campus in Kaanapali. 🏫 This new beginning is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Lahaina community. Together, we continue to rebuild and grow stronger. 💪❤️
Mahalo to the following individuals and groups:
Ed Freedman (Founder, Stable Roads Foundation)
Michael Capponi (Founder, Global Empowerment Mission)
Filomena Binaua (pianist)
Sacred Hearts School Hawaiian Studies and Hula Club
Kehauanani Kaauwai and Charlene Ako
Dr. Patty Wurst (Emcee and 8th-grade teacher at Sacred Hearts)
Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil (Pastor, Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, and Sacred Hearts Mission Church)
Monsignor Terry Watanabe (Pastor, St Anthony Padua Church and Vicar of Maui)
Father Peter Laupapa Tauf AʻAsau (Parchial Victor, Maria Lanakila Catholic Church)
Father Ken Deasy (Father Kenʻs Vineyard and Sacred Hearts School Advisory Board)
Tonata Lolesio (Principal, Sacred Hearts School)
Michael and Chuen Yee (Managing Partner, MCYIA Interior Architecture and Design)
Rodger & Lisa May (Owner, Pineapple Properties)
Native Hawaiian Practitioner Joshua Kapika (Knights of Columbus and EPIC Ministry)
Dr. Llewellyn Young (Hawaii Catholic Schools)
Ola Maui (Consulting Company)
#SacredHeartsSchool #LahainaStrong #CommunityRebuild #Maui #Kaanapali #NewBeginnings #LahainaMaui #MauiStrong #keikiokaaina #Keikiof Lahaina #Lahainaforever #Studentsoflahaina
Repost @globalempowermentmission April 11 2024
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Maui Fires GEM Mid-Long Term Recovery Update.
This video showcases the construction progress of the new school that GEM Hawaii in partnership with @stableroadfoundation is building and co-funding for Sacred Hearts School is Lahaina, Maui.
In addition, GEM Hawaii has already processed 152 Households (413 individuals) for 6-12 month @airbnb stays. This is through the @govhawaii DHS Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
We have also distributed over 36,000 of our Family Necessities Kits in partnership with @mauifoodbank and @countyofmaui. #maui #hawaii @edfreedman @handlerrich @jefferies @kainoagram @globalempowermentmission #mauifires #bstrong #nicole&davidtepper
Repost @globalempowermentmission March 23 2024
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The GEM Hawaii branch works closely with the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services to support their Rental Assistance Program (RAP). This program provides housing support for survivors who are not eligible for FEMA assistance.
DHS’s Rental Assistance Program (RAP), works to financially secure housing for up to 12 months for eligible households.
To date, our portion of the rental assistance program has housed 121 households or 334 individuals for one year.
If you have a house you’d like to enter into the program, please apply at www.helpingmaui.org and select to apply for GEM. @globalempowermentmission @govhawaii @countyofmaui #maui #hawaii #gemmissions
Repost @globalempowermentmission February 9 2024
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MAUI FIRES 6 month Update on @globalempowermentmission Hawaii’s efforts. Our teams have worked tirelessly on these programs. All this work is only possible due to our Smart Partnership Model. Together, We are Always Stronger
•Short Term Cash Program:
$478,900 in Bstrong cash cards distributed.
•Short Term Housing Program:
2.3 M in Airbnb stays within the first two weeks. One month after the fire, GEM partnered with The State of Hawaii and airbnb.org to renew Airbnb bookings for an additional 412 individuals.
•Aid Distributions:
30,000 + Family Necessities Kits distributed from our Westside Distribution Center and $3.1M in aid.
•Tool Program:
134,000 in tools purchased and donated to 94 tradesmen.
•Rent Abatement Program:
270,000 in checks issued to landlords to house 109 displaced families.
•RAP Program:
GEM Hawaii partnered with The Hawaii Department of Human Services in their Rental Assistance Program (RAP). RAP is designed to assist FEMA-ineligible survivors as they exit shelters and move into more stable long-term housing. Our RAP team has processed over $6M in long-term Airbnb bookings.
•School Rebuild Program:
Broke ground on the temporary location for Sacred Hearts School in Kaanapali. This project is a partnership with Stable Road Foundation and The Catholic Diocese. The school will provide a safe learning environment for almost 200 K-12 students.
•Housing:
GEM Hawaii is also working to create new housing inventory in partnership with the State of Hawaii. These community developments will offer both traditional and modern long-term housing options for survivors. GEM has 110 units en route and scheduled to land on Maui in early Spring.
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Special thank you to @bethennyfrankel @handlerrich @jefferies David & Nicole Tepper, @countyofmaui @govhawaii @stableroadfoundation @mauibrewingco @kalanimiller @mauigarret @sailtrilogy @mikoh @livingearthsystems @edfreedman @good360usa #DepartmentofHumanServices #bstrong #maui #hawaii #mauifires #lahaina #kula #fires
Repost @globalempowermentmission December 5 2023
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GEM Hawaii has partnered with Hawaii Department of Human Services and Airbnb to implement a new rental assistance program for survivors of the Maui Wildfires. The program is designed to help survivors who are not eligible to receive benefits from FEMA. There are still over 5000 survivors currently housed in hotel rooms that are in need of long-term stable housing. This $2.5M program is funded by the State of Hawaii and will offer immediate housing solutions by tapping into the short-term rental market for long-term stays. #GEM #Bstrong #GEMHawaii #maui #lahaina #wildfires @airbnb
Repost @globalempowermentmission November 8 2023
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Maui Fires 3 Month update.
In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, #Maui, GEM has been tirelessly working on the ground since day 2. GEM Hawaii has provided crucial assistance to survivors. We began by getting immediate aid to local hubs and distributing cash cards to survivors. GEM has now distributed nearly $500,000 in Bstrong cash cards.
By week two, we collaborated with @airbnb to secure short-term Airbnb bookings for over 1,200 survivors, offering them immediate lodging.
By week three, GEM established a housing case worker support office in Kahului which has processed nearly 1,000 housing applications. We distributed $250,000 in rent abatement checks to 109 families who secured long-term leases and assisted 220 families with Airbnb.org reservation renewals. This was made possible with staffing support from @sail.trilogy employees.
In week five, GEM opened the Westside Distribution Center in Kahana, distributing aid to 1,500-2,000 vehicles weekly and providing over 15,000 family care boxes since mid-September. Volunteers and partners like @MauiBrewingCo, @countyofmaui, @hfahawaii, and @MauiFoodBank played vital roles in this initiative. Support from volunteers equates to approximately $160k in labor costs savings.
GEM’s back-to-work tool program invested $135k in tools, aiding 94 tradesmen in resuming their work. Gratitude goes to donors @californiapools and @stableroadfoundation for their contributions.
Looking ahead, GEM finalized plans for the temporary Sacred Hearts School in Ka’anapali, accommodating 250 students (grades K-9) for the next three years. Additionally, in partnership with @LivingEarthSystems, we’ve commenced building tiny homes, set to be completed by the end of November, providing sustainable housing solutions for survivors.
Thank you for supporting our Hawaiian programs. #Hawaii #Maui @bethennyfrankel #Lahaina @edfreedman mauigarrett @globalempowermentmissionhawaii
Repost @globalempowermentmission November 2 2023
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Maui Fires Update
It’s been almost 3 months since “Lahaina and other parts of #Maui experienced the worst fires in US history. Our teams were there on day 2 and immediately established our GEM Hawaii office in Kahalui.
The GEM Hawaii team is made up of 100% Hawaiian locals.
To date, we have served 41,648 individuals from our Kahana distribution center in partnership with @countyofmaui @mauibrewingco. The total economic impact of our volunteer’s works is $158,942. We have helped 108 families commit to long-term housing with our rent support program. We have distributed $499,700 in Bstrong Visa cards, and supported 94 Tradesmen with new tools valued at an average of $1500 per person.
We have also completed the design process for our school renovation project, and are working through the permitting phase.
GEM Hawaii is committed to the long term recovery process. To learn more please visit our bio-links.
#Hawaii #Maui @bethennyfrankel @sailtrilogy @countyofmaui @mauibrewingco @kainoagram @stableroadfoundation @edfreedman @hawaiifoodbank @hawaiinewsnow #David&NicoleTepperFoundation @hawaiicommunityfoundation
Summary Stats
Rental Assistance Program for FEMA-Ineligible
Phase 1: Immediate Response
Our GEM BStrong team is on the ground now in Maui, Hawaii, assisting those who have been severely affected by the wildfires. Our immediate assistance will come in the form of our BStrong cash cards, which offer survivors the flexibility of purchasing whatever supplies they need most. We will also be offering Airbnb Short-term accommodation assistance, Long-term housing solutions, Rebuilding projects, and Contractor tool purchasing assistance to those who’s homes have been severely damaged or completely destroyed in the fires. We will also be offering support for pets affected. Our team will be on the ground indefinitely, ensuring that those on Maui will be given as much long-term support as needed.
GEM will now be operating from our new Maui office, which is open to assist with long-term housing applications, our BStrong cash assistance cards, and other aid.
Long-term Housing Solutions
GEM is presently offering longer-term housing assistance to those who have been displaced by the Lahaina fires. In this program, we are helping to alleviate housing costs to families having to move into new spaces. We will also supply these homes with basic first needs, within our GEM Welcome Home Kits.
Partners
