Community Rallies in Hawaii Following Historic Flooding; Local Church Coordinates Relief

Flooded streets in Laie, Hawaii, on March 20, 2026, following torrential rain. Local leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working with the community to meet immediate needs and to begin cleanup efforts.

​SALT LAKE CITY — Residents across the Hawaiian Islands are beginning the arduous process of recovery following the most severe flooding the region has seen in two decades. In the wake of the disaster, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have joined forces with local community members to provide critical supplies and manual labor to those displaced by the rising waters.

​The torrential rains, which peaked on March 21, 2026, have left hundreds of homes significantly damaged or destroyed. While the impact is widespread, the North Shore of O’ahu, Maui, and Molokai have been identified as the hardest-hit areas.

​Immediate Relief Efforts

Flooded streets in Laie, Hawaii, on March 21, 2026, following torrential rain. Local leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working with the community to meet immediate needs and to begin cleanup efforts. 

​To address the urgent needs of survivors, the Church has repurposed its local meetinghouse parking lots as makeshift distribution hubs. These centers are currently providing:

• ​Potable water and food supplies
• ​Emergency fuel
• ​Cleanup equipment and volunteer coordination

​Steven Nawahine, a local Church leader in Laie, praised the rapid response of the community, noting that volunteers of all ages mobilized within hours of the initial flooding. "These acts reflect the Christlike love and resilience that define our community," Nawahine said. "As recovery continues, we remain committed to caring for one another."

​Infrastructure and Education Update

Flooded streets in Laie, Hawaii, on March 20, 2026, following torrential rain. Local leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working with the community to meet immediate needs and to begin cleanup efforts.

​Despite the significant residential damage, key institutions in the area are beginning to stabilize:

• ​BYU–Hawaii: Classes have officially resumed for students.
• ​Polynesian Cultural Center: The center has reopened its doors to the public.
• ​Emergency Funding: Church headquarters in Salt Lake City is currently processing emergency humanitarian aid to bolster local recovery budgets.

​How to Help

​Officials are directing those who wish to assist in the recovery efforts to contribute via the Church’s Humanitarian Fund. Additionally, specific service opportunities for boots-on-the-ground assistance will be posted on the JustServe platform as cleanup transitions into long-term rebuilding.