Clearwater Ohana Displaced by Lava

Malika Judd is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Emily Dudley.

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Interview on BBC World News with Meteorologist Malika Dudley and Lava Evacuee Emily Clearwater.

My name is Malika Dudley... On May 1, 2018 my sister was on Maui to celebrate my birthday... there was some concern that a flurry of earthquakes and cracks in the ground would potentially lead to some kind of volcanic activity in Puna. We couldn't have imagined what was in store.

My sister, Emily, flew home to the Big Island a few days later... as she landed the first eruption broke ground in Leilani Estates. They started to drive home and realized it probably wouldn't be the best idea. Emily is 6 months pregnant and they have a 1-year-old, Luola. They couch hopped for a while and are now staying with ohana in Waimea.

The first couple of weeks, we watched and waited... friends homes were being swallowed by lava... people's properties, their businesses, their livelihoods. It is heart-breaking. My brother-in-law, Neekowee, was born and raised in Puna. If there was one thing he could rely on through his childhood... it was this place. The one constant... Puna. And now, it's changed forever.

Neekowee is a young pilot with Alaska Airlines. Emily is a stay at home mom. They moved back to the Big Island to build a home and raise their growing family. They were living in a cabin on their property right off of Pohoiki road and had just cleared land for their building pad... electricity and water were the exciting new developments for the cabin just days before the eruptions started. They had also welcomed two new members to the family - Opihi and Pohaku - two baby kittens... we hope the kittens were able to get out, or were rescued, but there's no way to know for sure.

Emily has not been home since she came to Maui to visit. Neekowee was able to go back with friends and grab items from their home a few times... the last time was dicey as lava bombs in the area really started to scare them, the sulfur dioxide was strong... they got out of there quickly. Emily is unsure if he got all of the sentimental items... things were definitely left behind... but they are just things.

On May 17, 2018 we discovered access to their home was officially cut off. A fissure on one side and a lava river on the other. On May 20, 2018 we were doing what so many others in the area are doing... comparing and contrasting aerial images... trying to figure out if their land and their home has been touched... if it's still there... we got the news that the neighbor's houses had burned down... and the lava appears to be going right through the middle of their property. Emily's midwife also lost access to her home & birthing center... the future is so uncertain.

Now, we move forward. They have found a home in Papaikou (our hometown) and put an offer in below asking price. The homeowner is aware of their situation and accepted. The loan officers are doing everything in their power to expedite the closing so that they can get settled, make this new house into a home, and prepare for the birth of their second child.

My sister and brother-in-law are humble, hard-working people - and like so many others in Puna - their lives have been turned upside down. They will be paying a mortgage for their land in Puna on top of all of the other expenses involved with this displacement... and could use any help to offset these costs.

They would never ask for help. So I'm doing it for them... if you can find it in your heart to donate any amount... no matter how small... I know they would greatly appreciate the help.

If you are unable to donate but you can share it on social media that is just as helpful... we appreciate any and all help to spread the word. Any contribution above what they need, will be paid forward to others in need.

Mahalo from my ohana to yours.

Opihi & Pohaku