Nonprofit that responded to Hurricane Lala urges preparedness ahead of possible third storm

PAHALA, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) – A nonprofit that responded to Hurricane Lala is now preparing for the possible threat of a third storm, while residents also deal with unwanted invaders after the flooding.

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The Guardian Foundation serves veterans, service members, first responders and rural communities. During Hurricane Lala, the group’s president was there for the community.

The day after Highway 11 was washed out in front of Kaʻū Hospital, Deborah Funai Brown, a Pāhala resident and president of The Guardian Foundation, saw the destruction from Hurricane Lala’s floodwaters.

“It gives me chicken skin just thinking about taking of that damage, seeing the boulders, the trees, just the water still rushing through,” Funai Brown said.

Nonprofit distributed disaster kits, created community hub

The nonprofit responded to the community’s needs by creating disaster kits and a community hub, and is now urging residents to be prepared for potential threats from Hurricane Lowell which follows Tropical Storm Moke.

“I’m praying that we can all push it away, obviously,” Funai Brown said. “We can never predict Mother Nature. So all we can try to do is be as prepared as possible.”

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For two weeks, Pāhala residents had no electricity.

“And so we want to make sure that people have enough drinking water since we were without it, enough propane to be able to cook if you can,” Funai Brown said. “Just the necessities alone to make sure you have that stockpile for at least two weeks.”

Group addressed animal food, mental health needs

The Guardian Foundation also worked with the Hawai’i Animal Kuleana Alliance to distribute food for animals.

The group also checked on people’s mental health.

“You’re in this fight or flight type of mode, and so that’s where psychological first aid comes into play,” Funai Brown said.

Residents dealing with mosquitoes, mold and fire ants

In addition to recovery from Lala, residents are dealing with unwanted invaders from the floodwaters: mosquitoes, mold and little fire ants.

“I actually got bit,” Funai Brown said.

Despite the long recovery ahead, Funai Brown said she’s motivated by her community’s resilience.

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