Brown Alumni Club of Hawaii

Pau Hana Get Together at the Bamboo Garden at Stage Restaurant/Amuse Wine Bar hosted by Alum Justin Bandy

BROWN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII

BROWN CLUB OF HAWAII
SPECIAL NEWSLETTER
MAUI WILDFIRES DISASTER
AUGUST 2023

Aloha Brown University Community--

In this Special Newsletter, Brown students from Maui share their impassioned messages about the devastation from the Maui wildfires, which they witnessed in person and are still witnessing before they return to Brown, and the urgent need for disaster relief. The students' love for their community and their anguish about the wildfires' destruction are palpable. These students are appealing to the Brown community--the other community they now belong to-- to help their home community of Maui with disaster relief that is desperately needed.

After reading this Newsletter, please support Maui disaster relief by donating to the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF). As recommended by the students as well as our Club, the HCF's Maui Strong Fund is a frontline non-profit organization focusing on rapid response and recovery in Maui and distributing funds to other relief agencies such as the American Red Cross (Pacific Islands), Maui Food Bank, and Maui Diaper Bank. You can donate to the Maui Strong Fund at this link:
https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.

On the online donation form, please click on the statement "I would like to give on behalf of an organization" and then type in: Brown University Affiliate. Later, our Club will ask HCF for the total amount donated under this identifier name and then report this amount to the Brown Community in our next newsletter.

Let us know that you donated to the Maui Strong Fund, or any other organization providing Maui disaster relief, by commenting on our Club's Facebook post about the Maui Wildfires Disaster. Our Facebook group is the Brown Alumni Club of Hawaii. Because we were rushing to send out this special newletter, we were unable to reach out to Brown alumni living on Maui beforehand. Brown alumni on Maui are also welcome to comment on our Club's Facebook post about the Maui Wildfires Disaster.

One of the shelters in Central Maui for Lahaina residents displaced by the wildfires. Photo from Jacob Garcia '27.
Maui shelter

Message from Jacob '27
My name is Jacob Haʻaheo R. Garcia, an incoming freshman at Brown University. I was born and raised on Maui. As you well know, we have been dealing with horrific circumstances involving multiple fires on the island, particularly Lahaina town. The historic town, initially the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, prior to Honolulu, has been decimated involving loss of lives, history, buildings, homes and businesses. At this time, families that have been displaced are living in shelters without clothing and other essential necessities such as diapers, medications, etc.. Our community has been tirelessly aiding them, but resources will soon be depleted unless donations continue.
On behalf of the Brown students of Hawaii, I ask for your help by giving monetary donations to the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation at this link: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.
There are many others, but our County government has been referring donors to the HCF's Maui Strong Fund. If you do donate, please identify yourself as a Brown University Affiliate. During these trying times is when the best of humanity is exhibited. We appreciate your kōkua (help). Mahalo!

My family is standing in 60 mph winds and watching the black smoke grow, knowing that the winds could change at any moment and knowing that our town was burning. My Dad decided to stay and keep an eye on the house, so we said goodbye. We evacuated to the other side of the island, slept in our car, and waited for our Dad to join us. Photo from Grace Martin '26.
Maui sky

Message from Grace '26
My name is Grace Martin, and I am a returning sophomore at Brown University. I was just three weeks old when I moved to Lahaina, and I have lived there ever since. The community and town have become a part of me; Lahaina was home to my favorite restaurants, friends' houses, movie theater, coffee shops, and so much more. Lahaina is even more than all of that to so many, especially the local families that have been there for hundreds of years.
While my family and my home are safe, so many of my friends have lost their homes, businesses, and loved ones. People’s entire livelihoods have been lost in just the blink of an eye. Our community has come together with such strength and unity to support those who have lost so much, but it is not enough. Lahaina will be rebuilt, but it will need support from across the country, and the world, in order to do so. If you have the means, please consider donating to the Maui Strong Fund or the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

At 5:40pm on August 8th, the boat I worked on returned to Lahaina Harbor, where we found Front Street ablaze. Smoke blanketed the harbor, and the explosions of cars boomed in the distance. Photo from Ross Peck '26.Maui fire harbor

Message from Ross '26

I am Ross, a resident of Maui, and I write to you with a heart burdened by the recent fires that have torn through our island. The destruction has been unfathomable, causing the loss of businesses, homes, and family members, and leaving thousands more displaced and destitute.

I am asking for your support of the Maui community. While numerous organizations rally to help, I urge you to consider contributing to the HCF's Maui Strong Fund. Your aid will help provide shelters, food, and financial assistance.

Thank you for your help and support.

'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia

No task is too big when done together by all.

This shows the destroyed buildings and cars ravaged by the wildfires on one of the main roads in Lahaina. The two unharmed cars in the middle of the photo brought supplies to people still stuck in Lahaina when the roads to and out of Lahaina were closed. Photo from Jacob Garcia '27.

Maui Road

Message from Logan '25

Aloha mai kākou,. I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. My name is Logan Koa R. Rulloda, and I am a rising Junior at Brown University from the beautiful Upcountry in Maui. I am grateful to be safe and sound at the moment, and I am reaching out to you all as part of my efforts to help alleviate some of the burdens of those around me who have not been so lucky due to the ongoing situation in Maui.

As you have seen on international/national headlines and social media, wildfires have swept through the areas of Lahaina, Pulehu, and Upcountry (where I was born and raised), claiming numerous lives, displacing friends and families from their homes, ravaging pristine landscapes, and threatening the very essence of what makes Maui so unique. The scale of this disaster is beyond words, and the impact on our community is heart-wrenching.

However, please know that the resilient spirit of the people of Maui, along with the dedicated efforts of the men and women who serve as soldiers, firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, and volunteers are working tirelessly to bring this situation under control. However, in times like these, the unity and compassion of people like you make all the difference. I personally reach out to you with a plea for your support, be it through donations of food, clothing, and necessities for impacted families experiencing hardship. Maui remains a strong island community. However, our resources are limited, given our size. The best way to contribute right now is through monetary donations to trusted Maui community-centered organizations including 1) Hawaii Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund , 2) CNHA's Kako'o Maui Fund, 3) Maui United Way's Maui Fire Disaster Fund .

Amid these challenges, let's hold onto hope and positivity. Lastly, thank you for your thoughts, and please continue to keep Maui in your prayers. Mahalo nui loa.

A house in upper Kula that burned completely to the ground Photo from Logan Rulloda '25.

Kula house

To all you Brown alumni, we hope that, as you read this special newsletter, you were reminded of the youthful energy and bright-eyed commitment to community service that you had while attending Brown.

Email your comments or questions to [email protected]

Support Brown Alum Christina May Ho!

This Brunonians Pay It Forward Day, help support the students, faculty, and programs that are moving Brown and the world forward. Join the movement and pay it on May 13! Gifts to the Brown Annual Fund will be matched 1:1 until midnight tonight! Pay it at brown.edu/go/payitforward21.

Class of 2023 Send-Off Party on August 18, 2019

Brown University Faculty Talk on Women in STEM by Professor Jill Pipher, VP of Research

The Brown Club of Hawaii congratulates the students accepted to the Class of 2023!

The Brown Club of Hawaii was very honored to have Professor Wendy Schiller, Professor of Political Science, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Chair of the Political Science Department at Brown, give her insight about the State of the American Democracy: Version 2018, at two special events in Honolulu.

The Brown Club of Hawaii welcomes the Class of 2021.

The Brown Club of Hawaii visited the Kamaka Ukulele Factory -- Fred Kamaka, Jr., a Brown graduate, and his father, were gracious hosts at this event.