Live Updates
🌺 Mahalo to everyone who joined us at the Housing & Resource Fair! 🌺
What an incredible day of connection, collaboration, and hope for our Lahaina community.
We were honored to welcome 216 households who came to learn about housing opportunities, recovery resources, and programs designed to support long-term stability. The event brought together 15 community-based organizations and resource providers alongside 4 property management firms, creating a unique opportunity for residents to connect directly with services, housing options, and recovery partners all in one place.
Events like these remind us that recovery happens through partnership. By bringing housing providers, legal services, community organizations, and recovery programs together under one roof, we can help families navigate the path forward more efficiently and with greater support.
A heartfelt mahalo to all of the organizations, property managers, volunteers, and community members who made this event such a success. Your commitment to serving Maui continues to make a meaningful difference.
A special mahalo to Imua Maui Community Healing Initiative and Hawaiian Council for providing the grant funding that made this event possible. Your investment in our community creates opportunities for families to access the resources, connections, and housing solutions they need to move forward.
Together, we’re building pathways home. GEM.org
🏠 Housing & Resource Fair – Lahaina Community Event 🌺
Looking for housing resources, support programs, or help navigating available options? Join us for a day focused on connection, information, and community support.
📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Royal Lahaina Resort
2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761
Come connect with organizations and partners providing support and learn more about:
🏡 Available housing programs and resources
📋 Current rental opportunities
🤝 Connections with others navigating similar housing needs
💬 Direct access to community support and information
Representatives from housing and recovery support organizations will be available to answer questions and help connect community members to resources.
Mahalo to our partners and everyone helping strengthen pathways toward housing and recovery across Maui.
Report by @aadukelow @hawaiinewsnow MOLOKAI - During the second Kona Low storm, Molokai resident Maka McGuire recalled waking up early in the morning to floodwaters rushing beneath her post-and-pier home.
“I’ve never seen it that bad before. It was never expected for the floods to get that bad,” McGuire shared.
Thankfully, McGuire’s Kaunakakai home was spared, but many valuables in two storage units on her property were ruined. “We live in a tiny home, so everything that is not used on the daily is put in the storage. We also have our own catering business, which everything is held in our storage,” McGuire added, saying she and her family lost their refrigerator, washer, generators, and other costly supplies.
McGuire then sought help from nonprofit organization Molokaʻi Cares. “It’s just so unbelievable, the help that has been sent to us during this time of need,” McGuire said. After receiving much-needed assistance, McGuire wanted to give back to others experiencing similar struggles, so she became a volunteer with Molokaʻi Cares.
McGuire is now a disaster case manager with nonprofit @globalempowermentmissionhawaii, or GEM. #konalow #hawaii #gem
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2026
HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green’s Hawaiʻi Office of Recovery and Resiliency (HIORR), along with other state, federal and county partners, will expand direct, in-person assistance for Kona Low storm recovery within Maui County.
Anyone directly impacted by the recent Kona Low weather events and in need of support may be eligible for the Kona Low Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP). HIORR is closely coordinating with all the counties and local partners to ensure a cohesive and trauma-informed disaster response.
The Kona Low DCMP is funded collaboratively by the state, counties and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation for 90 days and will provide up to 40 dedicated case managers to support those in need.
Residents may sign up for the Kona Low DCMP by calling Aloha United Way 211, by visiting ready.hawaii.gov, or by emailing [email protected] to get started.
Recovery support is coming to Molokaʻi 🌺
HIEMA, FEMA, SBA, and community partners will be hosting upcoming recovery events on Molokaʻi for residents impacted by the recent Kona Low storms. Disaster Case Managers and recovery teams, including support from GEM Hawaiʻi, will be available to help connect residents with available resources and assistance programs.
📍 Kilohana Community Center
334-A1 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaunakakai
🗓 May 11–12
⏰ 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Mitchell Pauole Center Hall
90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai
🗓 May 11–12
⏰ 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Available support may include:
• FEMA application assistance
• SBA disaster loan information
• Disaster Case Management services
• Recovery resource navigation
• Housing and recovery support guidance
Please help share this information with anyone on Molokaʻi who may benefit from these services. 🤝
#Molokai #Molokaʻi #KonaLow #HawaiiRelief #DisasterRecovery
Join GEM Hawai‘i and community partners at the Kihei Resource Fair for direct access to recovery resources, housing guidance, and disaster case management support.
📍 Kihei Community Center
303 E Lipoa St, Kihei, HI 96753
📅 Monday, May 11
⏰ 9AM–7PM
Services available include:
• FEMA & SBA application assistance
• Disaster Case Management support
• Emergency shelter assistance
• Housing transition guidance as FEMA and State programs evolve
• Connections to additional recovery resources
Whether you were affected by flooding, storm damage, housing instability, or wildfire impacts, our teams are here to help connect you to available programs and long-term recovery support.
Please share with anyone who may need assistance. 🤝
#Maui #Kihei #MauiStrong #KonaLow #DisasterRecovery GEMHawaii WildfireRecovery CommunitySupport MauiCounty HawaiiRelief DisasterCaseManagement
Join us on Molokaʻi for the 5th Annual Molokaʻi Educational Resource Experience!
GEM Hawaiʻi and Molokaʻi Cares Disaster Case Managers will be onsite to support individuals and families impacted by the recent Kona Low storms. Whether you need help navigating recovery resources, housing support, FEMA applications, or just want to connect with available services, we’re here for you.
📍 Lanikeha Community Center
📅 Saturday, May 9
⏰ 9AM–2PM
This community event will also feature:
* Live music
* Greased pig contest
* Petting zoo
* Food & craft vendors
* Prize giveaways including Hawaiian Airlines tickets, TVs, and more!
Mahalo to all of the organizations and community partners coming together to support Molokaʻi families and create a fun, resource-filled day for the whole ʻohana.
#Molokai #MolokaiCommunity #KonaLow #DisasterRecovery #CommunitySupport
Molokaʻi – We’re here to help*
If you were impacted by the recent Kona Low storms, join us for this FEMA Assistance Kōkua Pop-Up and get the support you need—all in one place.
GEM will be on-site providing Kona Low DCMP support, alongside FEMA and partners, to help you understand your options, navigate next steps, and access available resources.
🗓 Wednesday, May 6
⏰ 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Mitchell Pauʻole Community Center
Come talk story with our team, ask questions, and get connected to the support you deserve.
✔️ Apply for assistance
✔️ Get guidance on housing + recovery
✔️ Connect with case managers
Bring your ID, SSN, address/damage details, and any insurance info if available.
Let’s move forward together.
#MauiCounty #Molokai #KonaLow #DisasterRecovery #GEM FEMA DCMP CommunitySupport
@hawaiinewsnow report on the pop-up community assistance center (CAC) in Waianae this past weekend.
GEM Hawai’i Pacific joined several other agencies at the city’s pop-up community assistance center in Waianae this past weekend.
Hundreds of Leeward Coast residents impacted by last month’s Kona low flooding came by for assistance. Disaster recovery support included housing and rental assistance resources, SNAP and benefits navigation, health and social services referrals, and community-based support programs. #hawaii #konalow #flooding
TODAY: STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
WALANAE MALL | SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Final intake at 12:30 PM)
SERVICES INCLUDE:
*Disaster recovery support
*Housing & rental assistance resources
*SNAP & benefits navigation
*Health & social services referrals
*Community-based support programs
Attention Oahu residents: Do you need assistance recovering from the Kona Low storms? GEM will be at the Wai’anae Mall on Saturday, April 25 from 9am- 1pm with other disaster relief partners to help anyone in need.
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
