Following back-to-back Kona Low storms in March that brought heavy rains, wind and flooding, Isle communities are moving toward recovery and rebuilding at the sight of blue skies this week.
Aloha State Daily rounded up some more organizations and causes that are directly supporting individuals and families who were affected.
Double your impact to help farmers
Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation’sHawai‘i Flood Response Fund via GoFundMe aims to “help Hawaiʻi farmers recover from flooding and severe wind damage with rapid, unrestricted aid for crop loss, repairs, and urgent operating needs,” the fundraiser page reads. “Funds will be disbursed directly to farmers to support immediate recovery needs.”
ASD has found an anonymous donor who will match all donations up to $100,000.
Learn more here.
Emergency feeding
Chef Hui responded by instinct, according to Amanda Corby Noguchi, who co-founded the nonprofit focused on food sustainability, education and community outreach with husband chef Mark Noguchi in 2017.
“And honestly, we never really stopped responding. Since the [Covid-19] pandemic, we've been working alongside our community partners and food systems community of growers, cooks and people of service in an ongoing, everyday way,” Amanda Corby Noguchi said in an email to ASD. “So when the warnings came that flooding was possible, we were already on the phone with partners talking though how weʻd activate together.”
Chef Hui is part of the Oʻahu Feeding Task Force, led by Amy Miller, president and CEO of Hawaiʻi Foodbank, she noted.
Corby Noguchi added: “What was interesting this time was that food wasn't actually the scarcity — it was coordination. Very quickly, many hub leaders on the ground were telling us there was too much unsolicited food coming their way and not enough organization around it.”
In response, Chef Hui became a logistics hub to help manage inbound requests, move things along and minimize waste. World Central Kitchen, among other organizations, as well as local chefs and restaurants partnered together to make a difference, she noted. Interested in partnering? Reach out to floodrelief@chefhui.org.
“When you see you neighbors in need, you don’t think about your bottom line. You just start being of service however you can.”
Corby Noguchi told ASD that the feedback so far has been: “people didn’t just appreciate the food, they appreciated being seen.”
“Long term, every crisis teaches us how to show up better. Emergency feeding can’t be an afterthought — it needs to be standing infrastructure, build on relationships that start in community and flow upward.
Learn more here.
Donate to teachers
Earlier this month, the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s board of directors committed $50,000 from the union’s Crises Fund to support its members impacted by the storms.
(ICYMI: ASD shared the story of Waialua residents Matt and Tzaddi Pearce, who are elementary school teachers at Hawaiʻi Technology Academy.)
Those interested in supporting Hawaiʻi teachers can donate to HSTA March 2026 Kona Storm Relief Fund or give to individual teachers via GoFundMe.
Learn more here.
Boots on the ground response
Nonprofit Inside Outreach has been on the frontlines of flood relief efforts, working in tandem with other organizations and businesses helping those in need.
Director Josue Aguilar recently told ASD he’s has a busy past month and half, coordinating and connecting with impacted communities in Waialua, Waimānalo, Mānoa and more on Oʻahu.
“As an organization, we come alongside others to support, communicate, assess needs, etc. ... We had hundreds of volunteers come help, but it has slowed down,” he said. “We’ve been working with anyone that is in need. As the needs change, there will be more specialized work to come.”
The organization, founded by husband-wife team Daniel and Lucy Molina, has also raised more than $50,000 for supplies and materials, and direct relief for local families and businesses.
“Giving has slowed after news cycles have changes,” said Aguilar, who is the nonprofit’s sole staff member.
He previously worked in disaster relief following the 2023 Lahaina wildfires for two years. “It’s very similar,” he said of the fire and flooding responses. “That disaster helped prepare me for this one.”
“As we move toward the recovery phase, continue to reach out to family, friends, volunteers, anyone who has been directly impacted.”
Mental health issues will need to be addressed, said Aguilar, whose faith helps him process and release trauma.
“I know I can’t carry it on my own, so I feel it and give it to the Lord.”
With more work to be done, he advises volunteers to sign up on Inside Outreach’s website.
“If youʻre considering volunteering always be helpful, flexible and willing to learn. Things can change very quickly,” Aguilar said.
“Our goal is to make sure folks don’t fall through the cracks.”
Learn more here.
Benefit concert
Hawaiian Council's Aloha in Action Benefit Concert is set for Thursday, April 21. Proceeds will go toward Hawaiian Council’s Kākoʻo Mai fund, which provides direct assistance and resources to those affected by the floods. Tickets are still available here.
Learn more here.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
