Support is being sought this month to aid those impacted by the recent brushfires in Kunia.
Over the past three weeks, three separate fires in the area have burned approximately 866 acres in total: the Aug. 19 fire near Kunia Camp on Kunia Road burned about 600 acres and led to an arson investigation; the Aug. 25 Kunia Road fire burned approximately 251 acres; and a Sept. 6 fire at the Kunia Loa Ridge Farms burned about 15 acres of sugar cane.
To bolster fire relief and prevention initiatives for Kunia Village, nonprofits Kunia Village Development Corp. and the Hawai’i Agricultural Foundation, and local businesses Kō Hana Distillers and Nalo Farms, have launched a month-long community fundraiser, called “Kōkua Kunia,” according to a joint announcement Monday.
The September campaign aims to raise $100,000 for Kunia Village Development Corp. “to provide direct support for affected area farmers to help recover from crop losses and restore farmland after acres of crops were destroyed,” per the announcement.
“The Kunia fires have had a devastating impact on our local farmers, which are the backbone of our community,” said Kunia Village Development Corp. President Stephanie Whalen in a statement. “We believe that by coming together, we can provide immediate and meaningful support. Our goal of $100,000 is just a starting point, but every dollar helps. This is about more than just a fundraiser — it’s a testament to the strength and resilience of our community.”
Kō Hana and Nalo Farms (formerly Kunia Country Farms), both of which have commercial farming lots in Kunia Village, lost crop from the recent fires.
In response, Kō Hana is seeking to partner with local bars and restaurants to feature a special cocktail made with Kō Hana Kea rum, where “100% of the proceeds from these featured cocktails will be donated" directly to the Kunia Village Development Corp. and its surrounding farms, officials said.
The distillery also plans to release a new, limited-edition bottle, the Kōkua Reserve, with “a significant portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold" going toward the fund.
The campaign will culminate with a community fundraising event intended “to bring together participating partners, community members and media to celebrate the spirit of aloha and the collective effort to rebuild,” the announcement said. Personnel who responded to the recent fires in Kunia will also take part in the celebration.
Mark your calendar from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Kō Hana distillery, located at 92-1770 Kunia Road. Tickets include admission and three-part tasting of the Kōkua Reserve, as well as food for purchase from Barrio Café, This Lil Piggy, Sage Creamery and more.
Food and beverage purchases at the event will also benefit Kunia Village Development Corp.'s "Kōkua Kunia."
Event tickets and online donations can be made on Eventbrite, or via check mailed to:
Kunia Village Development Corporation
C/O Kōkua Kunia
P.O. Box 100 Kunia, HI 96759
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
