"Hey bro, a pregnant couple moved into camp. They're due next month. Would you be able to do a maternity shoot for them?"
I drove over to Ka'anapali within the hour of receiving that text to meet with the couple.
Kawai and CN recently lost their temporary housing in bureaucratic chaos. They are among the many who have slipped through the cracks during the governmental mismanagement of our community post-fires.
To some, the idea of living on a beach in Maui may sound like a dream. However, having experienced homelessness myself years ago due to addiction, I can attest that it's far from idyllic. The relentless elements, lack of privacy, and constant food insecurities make it a daily struggle. Add to that the trauma of narrowly escaping the most devastating natural disaster Hawai'i has ever seen, all while trying to keep up with prenatal care.
And yet, these two carry on with high spirits.
Their experience is a hard reminder of the importance of community support in times of crisis. Grassroots organizations like Lahaina Strong have emerged as beacons of hope, providing assistance and resources to those who have been overlooked by traditional channels.
What started as a Fishing-for-Housing protest has transformed and doubled up into a safe haven for individuals like Kawai and CN, offering not only food and shelter, but also access to essential services like mental health and prenatal care. (Shout out to Pacific Birth Collective.)
As a Lahaina-side photographer, I feel it is my kuleana to document moments of both despair and resilience in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire. I've done my best to capture the strength of individuals like Kawai and CN, whose stories serve as a testament to the power of community.
In times of crisis, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges we face. But amidst the debris and disorder, there are stories of hope that remind us of our capacity to overcome even the greatest of obstacles as we rebuild and recover.
Forever grateful for the community coming together in bridging the gaps left by those in power.
If you feel compelled, here is a link to Kawai and CN's GoFundMe
