Michelle Bettencourt Kilauea Relief
Donation protected
On May 3rd 2018, the Kilauea volcano on the big island of Hawaii, erupted, permanently affecting the lives of so many. To date, the lava flow has covered some 9,000 acres and the area covered is growing. Some lost homes, some lost all their belongings, and some, like Michelle (Mitzi) Bettencourt, our dear friend and family member, even lost her livelihood.
Mitzi has lived in, and been an integral part of the lower Puna community for nearly 30 years. She lives and works in the very neighborhoods most affected by the recent eruption. Mitzi owns and operates Little Big House Hawaii, where she designed, built, and furnished in the traditional and true Hawaiian style, several homes in Vacationland for her family and clients who became close friends. During her projects, Mitzi would often select native plants for landscaping and would even develop one-of-a-kind art to adorn the walls and create a feeling of Aloha for all who enter. She has helped shape the culture and color of this precious Hawaiian community. Her work in Vacationland is beloved by the residents of Puna, and has even been featured in "At Home, Living In Style on Hawaii Island" magazine on two separate occasions. Much of her income was also from managing a number of vacation rentals and even doing the housekeeping herself. And now, everything she has created, all her vision, life's work, livelihood, and personal home have been lost to the lava.
Mitzi first visited the Big Island in 1978 with her mother Loretta and 3 year old son Lee. They all fell in love with it. She moved here 10 years later after visiting many times. She attended UHH and graduated with a BA degree in Anthropology in 1995. She also attended massage school and received her massage therapy license in 2004. She enjoys painting on canvas and on wooden signs she posted around the neighborhood spreading Aloha to homeowners and visitors.
There are many difficulties ahead for Mitzi and all those displaced by the flow. Rentals are increasingly difficult to find and often fetch high dollars. Insurance does not cover the cost to clear the flow areas and rebuild on the land and no one knows if or how long it will be until they can get back into their neighborhoods now covered in rock. Those who lost their homes, like Mitzi, will have to relocate for an indefinite period of time, look for new work and replace lost items. This all comes at quite an expense.
Mitzi is not one to ask for a hand-out. In fact, her grace and generosity go above and beyond that of the average do-gooder. But we, her family and friends, feel compelled to ask for your help, as she never would do it herself. Please, if you can donate a dollar, or ten dollars, or even more, you will be contributing to help a woman get back on her feet after a truly devastating loss. The money will be used for daily expenses such as food, lodging and bills, and Mitzi will have direct access to withdraw the funds through her Go Fund Me account. We hope and pray we will be able to raise enough money to aid her in the challenging road ahead and to her next path in life. Her future is uncertain at this time but she will certainly use her creative talents in whatever she decides to do next and will continue to spread her ALOHA.
Thank you so much for your time, energy, support and consideration. We know your dollars are hard-earned and precious, and we are forever grateful to anything you can spare to help our family member and friend.
If your finances are not such that you can spare a dollar today, please help by sharing the link to this campaign with 5 of your friends - anything and everything you can do to help us get the word out is so appreciated!
Please also visit the links following the photos below with quotes from Mitzi in the local Hawaiian news, a government map showing the area affected by the flow and more.
Aloha,
The friends and family of Michelle "Mitzi" Bettencourt:
Kim Ortman - Hawaii, sister
Beth Dougall - California, friend
Charlyne Friedman - California, friend
Windy Dougall - San Diego California, campaign organizer and friend








West Hawaii Today News With Mitzi Quote : (written on May 20th, prior to the lava taking over her home and neighborhood)
USGS Map Of Affected Area (see Vacationland area where the flow expansion is still occuring)
West Hawaii Today Volcano Update (for local updated info on the flow)
Little Big House Hawaii

Mitzi has lived in, and been an integral part of the lower Puna community for nearly 30 years. She lives and works in the very neighborhoods most affected by the recent eruption. Mitzi owns and operates Little Big House Hawaii, where she designed, built, and furnished in the traditional and true Hawaiian style, several homes in Vacationland for her family and clients who became close friends. During her projects, Mitzi would often select native plants for landscaping and would even develop one-of-a-kind art to adorn the walls and create a feeling of Aloha for all who enter. She has helped shape the culture and color of this precious Hawaiian community. Her work in Vacationland is beloved by the residents of Puna, and has even been featured in "At Home, Living In Style on Hawaii Island" magazine on two separate occasions. Much of her income was also from managing a number of vacation rentals and even doing the housekeeping herself. And now, everything she has created, all her vision, life's work, livelihood, and personal home have been lost to the lava.
Mitzi first visited the Big Island in 1978 with her mother Loretta and 3 year old son Lee. They all fell in love with it. She moved here 10 years later after visiting many times. She attended UHH and graduated with a BA degree in Anthropology in 1995. She also attended massage school and received her massage therapy license in 2004. She enjoys painting on canvas and on wooden signs she posted around the neighborhood spreading Aloha to homeowners and visitors.
There are many difficulties ahead for Mitzi and all those displaced by the flow. Rentals are increasingly difficult to find and often fetch high dollars. Insurance does not cover the cost to clear the flow areas and rebuild on the land and no one knows if or how long it will be until they can get back into their neighborhoods now covered in rock. Those who lost their homes, like Mitzi, will have to relocate for an indefinite period of time, look for new work and replace lost items. This all comes at quite an expense.
Mitzi is not one to ask for a hand-out. In fact, her grace and generosity go above and beyond that of the average do-gooder. But we, her family and friends, feel compelled to ask for your help, as she never would do it herself. Please, if you can donate a dollar, or ten dollars, or even more, you will be contributing to help a woman get back on her feet after a truly devastating loss. The money will be used for daily expenses such as food, lodging and bills, and Mitzi will have direct access to withdraw the funds through her Go Fund Me account. We hope and pray we will be able to raise enough money to aid her in the challenging road ahead and to her next path in life. Her future is uncertain at this time but she will certainly use her creative talents in whatever she decides to do next and will continue to spread her ALOHA.
Thank you so much for your time, energy, support and consideration. We know your dollars are hard-earned and precious, and we are forever grateful to anything you can spare to help our family member and friend.
If your finances are not such that you can spare a dollar today, please help by sharing the link to this campaign with 5 of your friends - anything and everything you can do to help us get the word out is so appreciated!
Please also visit the links following the photos below with quotes from Mitzi in the local Hawaiian news, a government map showing the area affected by the flow and more.
Aloha,
The friends and family of Michelle "Mitzi" Bettencourt:
Kim Ortman - Hawaii, sister
Beth Dougall - California, friend
Charlyne Friedman - California, friend
Windy Dougall - San Diego California, campaign organizer and friend
West Hawaii Today News With Mitzi Quote : (written on May 20th, prior to the lava taking over her home and neighborhood)
USGS Map Of Affected Area (see Vacationland area where the flow expansion is still occuring)
West Hawaii Today Volcano Update (for local updated info on the flow)
Little Big House Hawaii
Fundraising team: Friends & Family of Mitzi (2)
Windy Dougall
Organizer
Pahoa, HI
Michelle Bettencourt
Beneficiary
Beth Dougall
Team member