FOR MAUI: Supporting & Rebuilding Together

FOR MAUI: A Sustainable Initiative to Support Local Families and Rebuild Together

Aloha friends, ohana & supporters of our Maui community. In the devastating wake of the Maui fires, the people of our island have been left homeless, and without answers. As we grieve the immense loss of life, home, and the beautiful historic town of Lahaina, the original capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a new reality is among us: the longer we remain inactive in rebuilding, the longer it will take, and the more roadblocks we will face. Now that we have made it past the initial phase of heartache and destruction, acceptance and adjustment, it is time to reassess what is needed now and create ways for large donations to have direct impacts on the long road ahead of rebuilding our home.

Our community is in dire need of money to build, but we also need skilled workers in order to accomplish the massive scale of construction needed in months and years ahead. The fire was just the tip of the iceberg – this has affected our entire island. There are no more tourists. No more jobs. No money coming into our economy. We must find a way to sustainably rebuild and build our economy from within. Utilizing our local resources and local workers, to complete jobs that will directly impact our community.

Myself, Juan Ricci — owner of Ricci Builders Hawai’i — and my team have come up with a solution: To build long-term homes for residents affected by the Maui fires in Lahaina, Kula, and West Maui, and train local workers to do so. With over 20 years of building experience, the Ricci Builders team is committed to train locals to rebuild, while being able to provide a decent salary for these workers. By essentially becoming the “construction arm” of Maui, we will be able to best utilize the resources as they come in. Ricci Builders has organized this fundraising campaign to support the men and women working tirelessly day in and day out in their attempts to help our community recover from the destruction of the fires. These are people who have lost their homes, and their jobs, some have lost family and friends, yet they are here every day, showing up and doing the work no one else is here to do. It is clear the people of Maui who are helping, need our help.

We are creating a global epicenter for all investors and donations from outside sources. Currently, our team has broken ground on private land in three locations — one of which is a 3-part project for a family of seven. So far the money has been out of pocket and and it is clear our resoures are needed island wide, and we are looking to expand greatly — essentially re-routing all of Ricci Builders’ business contacts, resources and planning skills for the sake of rebuilding Maui.

This is an organization solely dedicated to the people affected by the Maui fires and the members of the community supporting them. It was created by Maui residents, for the Maui community we love and support so much. Every dollar donated will be redistributed to community members and project organizers as needed. We ask our friends and family, followers and anyone who has ever had the privilege and blessing to experience the beauty and aloha of the Hawaiian Islands to please share and donate. Mahalo nui loa.

Follow @riccibuilders for more updates and live footage at ground zero in Lahaina, Maui.