The the Hawai'i State Teachers Association (HSTA) and Kamehameha Schools partnered to distribute hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to Lahaina families. This initiative was launched in response to the wildfires that occurred on August 8, which destroyed King Kamehameha III Elementary School and temporarily closed three other schools.
According to the HSTA website, over 800 backpacks filled with school supplies were collected by Lahaina families at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali. Kamehameha Schools contributed the supplies and secured a donation of 3,000 backpacks from Lands' End. Volunteers, including teachers, retirees, and staff members from HSTA and Kamehameha Schools, came together at Windward Mall on Oʻahu in September to fill the backpacks with supplies.
Prior to the community event, more than 400 backpacks had already been distributed. Additional backpacks were delivered to Hawaiian language immersion schools and Lahainaluna High School. The remaining backpacks will be distributed by various organizations, including the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, and local schools in Lahaina.
In addition to school supplies, each backpack includes a heartfelt, handmade card created by keiki (children) and 'ohana (families) from various community programs supported by Kamehameha Schools. These cards aim to convey a message of care and aloha to the recipients.
The success of this backpack distribution effort was made possible through the support of sponsors such as Lands' End, Windward Mall, and Matson. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to provide Lahaina students and families with essential resources and a message of support during their recovery from the recent challenges they faced.