Maui Resilient - Help and Recovery Fund

Aloha friends:

By now you know that on August 8, 2023, an incomprehensible tragedy hit our home island of Maui. Fierce wildfires, like a thief in the night, didn't just take our belongings, they took our homes, memories, jobs, and sadly, countless lives. What was once familiar, historic and beloved is now reduced to ashes and soot.

But amidst this dark cloud, the Temple of Peace Community Development Center, Inc. is mobilizing to expand the healing and services we have offered for nearly 20 years. We’ve been around, as a non-denominational, inter-faith ministry and healing center, lifting spirits, providing food, counseling, and, now more than ever, shoulders to lean on. We are equipped to provide an array of healing modalities, including one of the island’s only hyperbaric chambers, which may be vital for burn and trauma victims.

The government and big organizations are stepping in, and that’s great. But there is also an immediate need for not just clothing, food, shelter and supplies, but also for mending the broken spirits. We're welcoming these souls every day, and the stories... they'll tear you apart. The trauma of the fire is leaving scars that aren't just skin-deep. And with so many local businesses gone in the blink of an eye, wallets are getting as empty as some of the hearts we’re trying to heal.

We believe in the strength of our community. We’ve seen it before. Every hug, every dollar, every hour you can spare will help bring hope and healing. We’re not just rebuilding structures; we're stitching the very fabric of our community back together, one story, one smile, one “it’s going to be okay,” at a time. Temple of Peace is pledging to stand by the relief efforts for the long haul, and to adapt our efforts to what’s most needed, both short and long term.

If there's one thing that remains unshaken, it's the Maui Spirit of Aloha. Let’s emerge from these challenges together, collectively contributing what we can to relief efforts. Your donation will make a difference today, and in the months to come.

Mahalo nui loa,

Rev. Kedar and Shelley St. John and the Temple of Peace `ohana