Neighborhoods have been devastated by Tropical Storm Lala, which brushed past Hawaiʻi as a hurricane.
Homes ripped off their foundations, cemeteries uprooted, schools flooded: this was the toll of Tropical Storm Lala, which nearly made landfall on the southern end of Big Island as a hurricane.
The damage caused an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in damage across Hawaiʻi, Gov. Josh Green said over the weekend.
Hawaiʻi nonprofits have started to mobilize to serve communities, particularly in the hardest-hit community of Kaʻū, which saw “complete and utter devastation,” as state Rep. Jeanne Kapela has said. Here are a few of the ways you can pitch in to help efforts across the island.

Donate money
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- Vibrant Hawaiʻi: Hilo-based nonprofit that provides relief to Big Island victims, including water distribution.
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: Operates a Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund for disaster relief across the islands.
- Hawaiʻi Island United Way: Supports vetted victims, local nonprofits and emergency response efforts.
- O Kaʻū Kākou: A Pāhala-based organization providing resources and services to victims across Kaʻū.
- ‘Iewe Hānau o ka ‘Āina: A Nāʻālehu-based organization serving Kaʻū and providing supplies.
- American Red Cross: Operates shelters and helps with damage assessment.
- Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi: Actively works with other organizations to assess needs of Lala victims statewide.
- HOPE Services Hawaiʻi: Helps people on Hawaiʻi island who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Hawaiʻi Foodbank: Serves hungry families, including those affected by Tropical Storm Lala.
- The Food Basket: Hawaiʻi island’s foodbank, which delivers food across the island.
- The Salvation Army: Conducts disaster relief efforts across the state.
- World Central Kitchen: Provides meals to people in need.
- The Lāhui Foundation: Provides food, water and assistance to Lala victims across the islands.
- Nā Kia‘i O Maui: Provides food and disaster support to Maui.
- Mālama Kula: Provides ʻāina recovery efforts in Kula.
- Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation: Serving farmers, ranchers and fishers affected by the storm.
- Helping Hands Hawaiʻi: Providing supplies to Lala victims.
- Maui Rapid Response: Distributing donated supplies to homeless individuals.
- Maui Humane Society: Caring for animals following the storm.
Donate items
- The Food Basket: Hawaiʻi island’s foodbank, accepts canned and dry goods, fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen items. Bring items unopened, in their original packaging. Accepts donations weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Hilo (40 Holomua St.) and Kona (73-4161 Ulu Wini Place).
- Hui o Hauʻula: Accepts food and water supplies at the Hauʻula Civic Center, 54-010 Kukuna Road, Hauʻula. Gates open at 9 a.m. For more information call Dotty Kelly-Paddock, 808-255-6944
- Simply Sisters by Lola Miller Designs: Accepts water, propane, gas and nonperishables this week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 250 Kamehameha Ave. in Hilo.
- Volcano School of Arts & Sciences: Collects sealed bottles of drinking water at the Old Volcano Road campus “bubble” Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- State Rep. Jeanne Kapela (Big Island): Collects Starlink internet devices to distribute to impacted families. Call 808-854-1148 to help.
Volunteer to help victims
- The Food Basket: Provides food to people in need.
- Hawaiʻi Island United Way: Supports Lala survivors by operating an emergency line and more.
- American Red Cross: Operates shelters and assembles disaster response teams.
- The Lāhui Foundation: Provides food, water and assistance to Lala victims across the islands.
- Volcano School of Arts & Sciences: Helps with coordination, deliveries or staffing the delivery hub. Contact ʻAuliʻi Nathaniel at 210-422-1196 or aulii.nathaniel@gmail.com.
This story will be updated. Check back for more.
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