Help Rebuild Malden Island, Five Islands, Maine

Our small community in Five Islands, located in a picturesque harbor off the coast of Georgetown, Maine, is facing the daunting task of rebuilding historic structures and critical infrastructure after being hit by three major storms in December 2023 and January 2024. The combination of heavy wind, driving rain, and a record high tide either partially or completely destroyed the community’s utilities network, piers, boardwalk system, cookhouse, and bridge that connected Malden and Hen islands.

At the heart of our community stood the Cookhouse, a multigenerational gathering space built in the 1930s that hosted meals, dancing, weddings, laughter, and togetherness. On January 10, a large portion of the Cookhouse succumbed to winds and storm surge and collapsed into the ocean. Someone happened to capture the dramatic event on video, linked below. The stunning loss of the Cookhouse is deeply felt by each and every community member. Rebuilding will be challenging, and is complicated by the fact that all materials and equipment must get to the islands by boat or barge.

Our community was physically connected by a system of boardwalks, including a wooden footbridge that linked Malden and Hen islands. A significant portion of those boardwalks are damaged or unsalvageable. The storm also ripped the bridge off the chains that anchored it to the rocks and washed it into the ocean. Not only did the bridge connect the islands, but it also carried sewer and water pipes. The community is now without water or sewer.

The storms also caused significant damage to the pierheads that permitted people to safely access the islands. We currently do not have anywhere to safely tie up and go ashore.

As we embark on the long journey to rebuild, we humbly reach out for support. Our community has never in its 150+ year history faced such an enormous planning, engineering, and financial challenge. We are exploring every funding source available, collaborating with local leaders on sustainable rebuilding efforts, and securing contracts to repair and rebuild critical infrastructure. Your contribution will support these efforts and buoy the spirit of the resilient Five Islands community. We look forward to being able to host family, friends, and fellow mariners again in the future.