Maui Non-Profits in a Time of Crisis

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The Power of Charity Organizations: Grassroots Growth in Times of Crisis

Charity organizations are the backbone of thriving communities, stepping in during times of crisis when needs are greatest.Maui Mayor supporting people
Grassroots efforts often begin with small groups of passionate individuals responding to an immediate need. Over time, these initiatives grow, fueled by partnerships, volunteers, and a shared commitment to make a difference. The Maui wildfires are a powerful reminder of how essential these organizations are in times of disaster.

Though each nonprofit may have a unique mission, we are all united by a common purpose: to serve our communities, uplift humanity, and build a more resilient future. At Hungry Heroes Hawaii (HHH), we believe that when the basic human needs—food, water, and shelter—are met, individuals are empowered to align with their inherent genius, fostering a culture that thrives organically. Our work is guided by the spirit of Aloha ʻĀina (love for the land), and we are committed to nurturing meaningful connections between people, place, and purpose.

Grassroots organizations thrive through collaboration, adaptability, and shared responsibility. As needs evolve, organizations like HHH continuously re-evaluate and reorganize to stay effective and aligned with community needs.

Together, through our collective efforts, we embody resilience, generosity, and hope for a better tomorrow.

Nonprofits Leading the Maui Wildfire Response

Living Pono ProjectLiving Pono Project

Slogan: “Growing Futures for All”
Mission: Makale’a and Hoapili, a husband and wife team, started the Living Pono Project in response to adversities faced by Kānaka Maoli and islanders to stay in Hawaii, thrive as a people, and retain cultural identity.

​This NGO focuses on at-risk youth, vulnerable populations, people with disabilities, and re-entering individuals. These issues hit home as Hoapili’s younger brother is challenged with developmental disabilities. Their goal is to create opportunities in sustainable industries, rooted in Hawaiian cultural values, where all can prosper.
Website: Visit Living Pono 

HHH - Helping Heal HungerHHH – Help Heal Hunger

Slogan: “Feed Hope and Nourish Maui, from Farm to Hungry, with Love!”
Mission: Hungry Heroes Hawaii, a Maui-based grassroots nonprofit, is dedicated to addressing the foundational needs of food, water, and shelter for fire survivors and the hungry on Maui. Through our meal program and partnerships with local farms, we deliver nourishing meals and fresh produce with love, fostering the spirit of Aloha ‘Āina and helping individuals thrive.
Website: Visit HHH 

Common Ground CollectiveCommon Ground Collective (CGC)

Slogan: “Building community through sustainability and resilience.”
Mission: Partnering with local farmers to promote food security and sustainable farming.
Website: Visit CGC

Maui Rapid ResponseMaui Rapid Response (MRR)

Slogan: “Immediate action for immediate need.”
Mission: Mobilizing volunteers and resources for swift disaster relief.
Website: Visit MRR

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

Global Empowerment MovementSlogan: “Providing immediate disaster relief, sustainable development, and empowerment.”
Mission: GEM focuses on offering rapid response and sustainable aid during emergencies while also promoting long-term recovery initiatives. Their efforts extend across the globe, helping communities rebuild and restore resilience in the wake of disasters.
Website: Visit Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

Maui Food BankMaui Food Bank

Slogan: “No one in Maui should go hungry.”
Mission: Distributing emergency food supplies to those in need.
Website: Visit Maui Food Bank

World Central Kitchen (WCK)

World Central Kitchen Slogan: “Wherever there’s a fight so hungry people may eat, we will be there.”
Mission: WCK uses the power of food to provide meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. They work on the frontlines to serve warm meals to people affected by disasters and promote food resilience in vulnerable areas. Their presence in Maui following the wildfires brought hope and nourishment to thousands.
Website: Visit World Central Kitchen (WCK)

 

All hands and hearts hawaiiAll Hands and Hearts

Slogan: “Responding to today’s disasters, building resilience for tomorrow.”
Mission: Volunteer-powered rebuilding efforts in disaster zones.
Website: Visit All Hands and Hearts

Maui Rescue MissionMaui Rescue Mission

Slogan: “Rescue, restore, rebuild.”
Mission: Providing shelter and care to those experiencing homelessness.
Website: Visit Maui Rescue Mission

Hawaii Community FoundationHawaiian Community Foundation

Slogan: “Empowering the spirit of aloha.”
Mission: Offering grants and support to Maui residents and programs.
Website: Visit Hawaiian Community Foundation

Hua Momona

Mission: Promoting sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.
Website: Visit Hua Momona

Maui United Way

Slogan: “Live united.”
Mission: Mobilizing resources to create lasting community change.
Website: Visit Maui United Way

Help Maui Rise

Mission: Supporting long-term recovery and resilience initiatives.
Website: Visit Help Maui Rise

Lahaina Strong

Mission: Supporting residents in rebuilding Lahaina after the wildfires.
Website: Visit Lahaina Strong

Brown Cross Hui

Mission: Offering direct relief and essential supplies during disaster recovery efforts.
Website: Visit Brown Cross Hui

Pacific Birth Collective

Mission: Supporting women and families through birth, postpartum, and parenting education.
Website: Visit Pacific Birth Collective

Napili Noho

Mission: Providing relief to displaced residents of Napili and beyond.
Website: Visit Napili Noho

KaKo’o Distribution Center

Mission: Distributing supplies and essential goods to affected Maui residents.
Website: KaKo’o Distribution 

Feed My Sheep

Mission: Delivering food and care to those experiencing hunger across Maui.
Website: Visit Feed My Sheep

Kimokeo Foundation

Mission: Promoting Hawaiian culture, education, and conservation initiatives.
Website: Visit Kimokeo Foundation

Chef Hui

Mission: Our mission is to create opportunities to connect the culinary world with their community through a strong network of local chefs and produce providers.
Website: Visit Chef Hui

Other Impactful Maui Nonprofits

Imua Family Services

Mission: Empowering children and families through education and therapeutic programs.
Website: Visit Imua Family Services

Women Helping Women

Mission: Supporting survivors of domestic violence through advocacy and services.
Website: Visit Women Helping Women

Maui Humane Society

Mission: Promoting animal welfare and caring for animals in need.
Website: Visit Maui Humane Society

Hospice Maui

Mission: Providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Website: Visit Hospice Maui

Pacific Whale Foundation

Mission: Promoting ocean conservation and marine education.
Website: Visit Pacific Whale Foundation

Hawai’i Farmers Union United

Mission: Advocating for sustainable farming practices and agricultural education.
Website: Visit Hawai’i Farmers Union United

Hawai’i Land Trust

Mission: Protecting and conserving Hawai’i’s natural landscapes.
Website: Visit Hawai’i Land Trust

Mahalo to these organizations and countless volunteers for their dedication to serving the Maui community and embodying the spirit of aloha.

Meet Naim Ferguson, Inspiring Hearted Skillful Action

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Co-Founder: Naim Ferguson

In 2023, Naim Ferguson arrived at the Anuhea Chapel Kitchen with his daughter Mya, seeking deeper involvement in humanitarian work after a near death experience. As Mya prepared to apply to UC Berkeley to study the intersection of environment and humanity, Naim was also drawn to explore how he could contribute to meaningful, community-driven efforts.

After connecting with Steven Calkins and spending time in the field—working in the kitchen, delivering meals, and witnessing firsthand the impact of grassroots community efforts—Naim felt a profound calling to Aloha ʻĀina. Recognizing the immense need for organization and sustainability in maui, he stepped up to lead the next iteration of Hungry Heroes Hawaii (HHH).

At the time, the organization was called Hungry Homeless Heroes. With a vision for long-term impact and sustainability, Naim rebranded the movement to HHH, with a goal to move away from “hero’ and toward ‘healing’ while drawing inspiration from 888, a manifestation number symbolizing abundance, balance, and renewal. He saw the potential to build something beyond crisis relief—something rooted in self-organization, leadership, and community resilience.

Naim’s personal slogan, “Inspiring hearted, skillful action,” was born from his desire to balance skill and aloha in response to Maui’s greatest needs. Rooted in both leadership and service, he saw the urgency for compassionate action that was also strategic, efficient, and impactful. When the wildfires struck on August 8, 2023, Naim’s ability to mobilize people, organize resources, and implement technology-driven coordination systems helped accelerate relief efforts. His work with HHH became a testament to what is possible when heart, skill, and community come together to uplift and rebuild.

Naim’s passion project, Navigator, a Maui leadership program designed to support men and women in navigating life with a solid compass, map, and crew, became an essential foundation for his approach to community response. On August 8, 2023, when the wildfires devastated Maui, Naim activated his leadership network—men from his men’s groups, women from leadership programs like Conscious Leadership, and individuals from book clubs he had facilitated. Together, they answered the call and mobilized to support Maui in its greatest time of need.

With his expertise in technology, leadership, movement-making, and self-organization, Naim brought to life systems that rapidly connected people, resources, and information. He implemented digital coordination tools and decentralized decision-making methods to accelerate relief efforts, ensuring meals, supplies, and support reached those who needed them most. This approach led to a radical, community-driven response that empowered everyday people to take action and help their neighbors in real time.

Leaving behind his career in ocean sports sales and distribution, Naim committed fully to restructuring and scaling HHH. His leadership played a crucial role in securing partnerships, funding, and infrastructure to sustain Maui’s recovery efforts. His work emphasized not only immediate aid but also the long-term vision of resilience, collaboration, and food security for the island.

Through his leadership, HHH has evolved from a crisis-response effort into a structured, mission-driven movement, proving that when people come together with purpose and care, real change is possible. Naim resigned from the board in 2023  and took a role as Director of Impact in late 2024 and supported the transition to Living Pono Project. He now is back to work with a revitalized mission at the Navigator Project where he is providing Maui Canoe Tours and Expeditions, as well as building an all natural organic fabric clothing line for yoga, surf and lifestyle at True Nature, attire.

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Naim, Makalea and Kaulana at Maui Relief Hub
Senator Lynn DeCoite with Naim Ferguson
Khalsa Aid Maui with Indy and Naim Ferguson

Addressing Food Scarcity for a Sustainable Future

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Editorial Series by Sara Yamtich: Part 3 of 3 – Food sovereignty issues by looking at colonial past 🌱✊

To understand our present challenges and prepare for the future, we must delve into the roots of food scarcity on Maui. Historical land dispossession and economic marginalization have contributed to the struggles we face today. As we work towards a future of food security, it’s essential to build on the strengths of our community and honor the land’s capacity to sustain us.

Our mission is not just to provide immediate relief but to foster long-term resilience and self-sufficiency. This involves…

Supporting Local Agriculture: By partnering with local farmers, we help ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious food while supporting the local economy.

Community Education: We offer programs that teach sustainable farming practices, traditional food preparation, and the importance of food sovereignty.

Building Strong Networks: We collaborate with other organizations to create a robust network of support, ensuring that resources are efficiently distributed and that no one in our community goes hungry.

Together, we can create a future where everyone has access to healthy food, where the land is respected and nurtured, and where the community thrives. Join us in this journey towards food sovereignty and sustainability.

🌺 Your support and involvement are crucial in making this vision a reality. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, you can help create a more equitable and resilient Maui.

#FoodSovereignty #SustainableMaui #CommunitySupport #HealingHungerHawaii

A Glimpse Into Maui’s Colonial Past

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Editorial Series by Sara Yamtich: Food sovereignty issues by looking at colonial past 🌱✊

Part 2 of 3: A Glimpse Into Maui’s Colonial Past

Maui’s serene landscapes and vibrant culture mask a turbulent history of colonization that profoundly shaped the island’s socio-economic structure. From the arrival of missionaries and settlers in the 1820s, who introduced drastic changes to land ownership and traditional lifestyles, to the strategic political maneuvers that led to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Maui’s history is a testament to the resilience of its native people.

This economic and political transformation continued until Hawaii’s annexation by the United States in 1898, and its eventual statehood in 1959. These events not only altered the islands’ governance but also left lasting impacts on the native Hawaiian community and culture.

Today, as we appreciate Maui’s beauty, it’s crucial to acknowledge and respect its complex past—a history that underpins the significance of ongoing efforts to preserve and honor Hawaiian heritage and rights. As part of this journey, it is vital for us to actively engage in righting historical wrongs, ensuring that we move forward with a deep commitment to justice and equity for the native Hawaiian community.

🌿 #MauiHistory #HawaiianCulture #RespectThePast #JusticeAndEquity

Embracing Our Kuleana

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Editorial Series by Sara Yamtich: Food sovereignty issues by looking at colonial past 🌱✊

Today, we pose the question: How do we address food scarcity, not just today, but into the future? To face this challenge, we must look to the past.

In the spirit of aloha ‘āina—love of the land—we are guided by a deep commitment to heal and nurture both our land and our community. It’s not an easy topic to discuss, and we recognize the importance of being transparent about our histories and the ongoing impacts of colonization.

As descendants of settlers and colonizers in the Hawaiian Kingdom and beyond, we acknowledge our unique kuleana (responsibility) to actively engage in the restoration and support of the communities and environments we inhabit.

This responsibility compels us to grapple with our past, understand the impacts of colonization, and move forward with intentional actions that contribute to a sustainable and equitable future for all. By volunteering with our organization, you are not just giving time—you’re participating in a mutual exchange that honors and uplifts the dignity of every community member.

Together, let’s continue to co-create a culture of support and resilience. Join us in our journey of service and stewardship, helping to create a thriving Maui that respects and reflects the true spirit of the island.

🌺 Join us, learn, and grow as we tackle the challenges of today with hope and action. Be a part of our movement towards a future where every member of our community feels seen, supported, and valued.