Honoring Progress and Community Strength: Reflecting on the Maui Wildfires One Year Later

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the devastating Maui wildfires that swept through our community on August 8, 2023, we pause to reflect on the journey of recovery and resilience that has unfolded over the past year. The fires, which tragically destroyed over 2,200 structures and caused approximately $5.5 billion in damages, left a profound impact on our community and families, particularly our young keiki.

The destruction affected many, including the loss of homes, schools, and vital community resources like Pūnana Leo o Lahaina and the Maui Economic Opportunity Early Head Start site. Organizations such as Imua Family Services, which provides critical early intervention and childhood services, also faced significant setbacks with the loss of their Lahaina office.

In the wake of such adversity, our community rallied together. From counseling and critical mental health services, to educational resources and practical assistance in rebuilding, many local organizations and nonprofits have been working to ensure that Maui’s youngest keiki and their families receive the support and resources they need. Over the last 12 months, Commit to Keiki’s has been highlighting these efforts in our monthly newsletter as part of our Maui Recovery Spotlight Series.

Looking ahead, Commit to Keiki remains committed to uplifting the various organizations who are working together to bring programs and services back to Lahaina’s keiki and families. As we reflect on the challenges of the past year, we also celebrate the resilience and strength that have emerged from within our community.

NADIA GARCIA JOINS COMMIT TO KEIKI’S STEERING COMMITTEE

Nadia Garcia is the Manager of Government Affairs & Business Advocacy at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, a statewide, non-profit organization whose mission is to serve as the Voice of Business on behalf of its 2,000 members and employees.

Prior to her current role, Nadia served as a Legislative Aide in the House of Representatives for the Chair of the House Committee on Labor and clerked for the Senate Committee on Higher Education. She also worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician at Hawaii Behavioral Health, a Service Supervisor for PAB Workers in the Developmental Disabilities Division at DOH, and as a Life Skills Specialist at Child and Family Services Hawaii.

MEET KEAKA MITCHELL

Early Childhood Wildfire Recovery Coordinator in West Maui

Keaka Mitchell recently joined the Early Childhood Action Strategy (ECAS) backbone team as the Early Childhood Wildfire Recovery Coordinator in West Maui.

Keaka is from Lahaina and is working closely with the County of Maui, state Departments, nonprofits and federal partners on building forward the early childhood system in West Maui. Welcome Keaka!

GOVERNOR GREEN SIGNS BILLS RELATED TO EARLY CHILDHOOD

Governor Josh Green recently signed the following bills into law that relate to early childhood:

Early Learning Facilities (SB3087): Proposal to amend the Pre-Plus statute to allow early learning programs to operate on state property in addition to those on DOE campuses, and to open it to all children not eligible for kindergarten.

Preschool Open Doors (SB3116): Establishes application of selection priorities for program participation in Preschool Open Doors (POD) through the annual POD application period that occurs prior to the program year, and continuous enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis once the program year has started.

For the latest information about Commit to Keiki and the bills we’re tracking this legislative session, follow us @CommitToKeiki on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.