Ocean View hub, helicopter drops aid for Hurricane Lala storm victims

OCEAN VIEW, Hawaiʻi (HawaiiNewsNow) — A community hub in the Kaʻū District has been open since Monday and will remain open as long as the community needs it, serving residents affected by Hurricane Lala.

Read more Heavy rain, winds possible for Hawaii Island as TS Moke passes

Community hub serves as lifeline

Hope Diamend Ministries lost its tent used for services because of Hurricane Lala, so Sunday’s service was held on an old lava field instead.

Long lines of storm victims waited for a hot meal and supplies. Several Ocean View residents living in their cars have no access to goods and services, and power has been out for more than a week.

Hope Diamend Ministries said it is serving 1,000 meals per day regardless of the weather.

“We don’t have a church, we don’t have a building, we don’t have anything, but don’t stop and we are here for the community and we are here for the people. We are here for the souls and the people here lining up,” said Myya Auld, of Hope Diamend Ministries.

Sunday’s meals were canceled because some Kona restaurants were either closed or drivers did not want to make the 1.5-hour trip to Ocean View in stormy conditions, so church volunteers found other groups bringing hot food.

Read more State health officials urge Moke storm safety precautions during Lala recovery

Volunteers organize helicopter drops

Volunteers are organizing private helicopters to make drops to isolated homes with no access to water, food or supplies.

Musician Kahi Young had never been in a helicopter before but is now delivering goods to about 18 families in need.

“It means the world to me. It means the world to get these babies fed and get our kānaka fed, our kūpuna. It’s everything, and knew that I haven’t taken this step, this initiative, the outcome could have been different,” Young said.

“That family they had a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old; they were down to four bottles of water for a family of nine, and they’ve been calling and calling for help, and nobody has gotten to them. So since this past week, I made it a point to make sure those kids were eating every day,” Young said.

Helicopters could not fly Sunday because of expected rain conditions on Hawaiʻi Island. Volunteers have to wait and see what happens with the weather before resuming the drops.

Read more Volcano resident shares lessons from Lala ahead of Moke