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Make an online donation through the Diocese where you can select from 3 different funds in support of Maui relief efforts and/or Holy Innocents Church..
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Checks can also be mailed directly to A Cup of Cold Water, the Diocese's Care-van ministry serving Maui: A Cup of Cold Water, 2140 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793.
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A Special Pastoral Message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: (August 29, 2023) Our Presiding Bishop shares a message of care and compassion to the Diocese of Hawai'i, and especially to those affected by the deadly Maui fires that destroyed Lahaina and a community that included Holy Innocents Episcopal Church.
We are grateful to the Presiding Bishop for taking the time to share this message, as he faces his own serious health issues. To view the full text version of his message, click HERE. |
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A daylong vigil was held in Hawai'i on September 1, 2023, for people statewide to come together to support the victims of the Maui wildfires and their families. The day was centered around emotional and spiritual healing that is rooted in Native Hawaiian practices with leaders from diverse faiths. Among the events was a blessing at the University of Hawai'i - Stanford University football game on Friday evening. Participating were Kahu Hailama Farden (Waianae Protestant Church), retired Bishop Eric Matsumoto (Honpa Hongwanji), Monsignor Gary Secor (Catholic Diocese of Honolulu), and our own Rev. Paul Nahoa Lucas (St. John's By-the-Sea), 5th from left. (From the St. John's BTS website)
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August 17, 2023: Report from the Kaua'i Response Team on their second day (8/16) - (Reporting by the Rev. Kerry Holder Joffrion) In the evacuee crisis, following the Maui wildfires, we are heading out to the people behind the people (ACCW) with food, water, blankets & sheets, diapers, toiletries, some clothing and now due to the burn wound needs: wound cleansers, antibiotic ointments, wound dressings, antibiotic injections/orals, basic pain care, asthma aids due to smoke inhalations, nebulizers, etc.
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Our first stop was at the Camp Maluhia by the Mendes Ranch on Kahekili HWY where we met the Tongitialoa families needs. We left eczema medicines for baby one year old Junior, suffering from skin issues. We established a communication channel with the BSACamp who asked us to send Kanaka families up the mountain to them; they can house over 55 more people in cabins. We left a Bible and Book of Common Prayer.
Most of our work yesterday in aid focused in the Paia area with Old Maui High School Road as a main emphasis. Holomua Road had cars on both sides of the road with small encampments. Four of the fourteen families we served with medical care identified themselves voluntarily as former residents of Lahaina and fire evacuees. We estimate that at least six more beloved of God, were fire wearied and unsheltered as well. Nate in Paia had a abscess boil on his knee, an MRSA so the medical team did an incision and drainage procedure. The doctor and nurse then cleaned and dressed the wound and a wound on the other leg. Nate was painting a mural of natural beauty to encourage other evacuees in the dark aftermath when we treated him. We prayed, anointed him, and left a Bible and Book of Common Prayer. Anna & Michael in their early twenties, we’re living out of their car with other evacuees and unsheltered people on Holomua RD. “You took the time to treat us like human beings,” said Cisco; following a veterinarian exam of Blue the Hound and the gift of a tent. Anna gave Kahu a bracelet of rose quartz and said, “ my peace I give, my peace I leave you, not as the world gives do I give unto you ..’ We connected and sent Michael Pihukoa & Anna Rose Ade, Sam & Eric Vega, and Ernie Anorak’s family to the BSA Boy Scout Camp for Leif to receive them up Camp Maluhia mountain way. Kai was treated for severe burns and scarring wound issues. Severe facial burns in 3rd degree covered his face, shoulders, arms. There were skin grafted areas but complications due to his unsheltered status left him with chronic infectious suffering. He has kept his disfigured face fully covered in a half ski mask. Neck, shoulder, hand disfigurements. Recurrent infections due to lymphatic blockages with scar tissue have also caused him profound traumatic pain. Kai is probably in his mid-twenties. The medical team drained his wounds, applied and gave him antibiotic creams, and antibiotic orals, pain medications were also given. We prayed with Kai; anointed him and blessed him Holy Oil; with an inscripted Bible with the Team’s and ACCW names, a date, and a message of Christ’s healing love. We left a Prayer Book for ‘the night watches.’ We cried. More photos with descriptions in the slideshow from the Kaua'i Reponse Team by Ron Morinishi and Kerry Holder Joffrion, on their first two days on Maui - Unloading medical and camping supplies that were shipped from Kaua'i; inside of War Memorial shelter; one newly houseless man who suffered with infections--Dr. Sparks from the Kaua'i team spent a long time treating him; the road to the old Maui High School had many small encampments; the volunteers helped distribute medical and camping supplies; Kaua'i team van full of supplies; Nate in Paia; Treating a sick puppy. |
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August 15, 2023: Report from the Kaua'i Response Team on arrival day (Reporting & photos by the Rev. Kerry Holder Joffrion)
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