Lahaina, HI – Apr. 12- 18, 2026

While it may rain a few drops each day, it has not dampened the spirit of our joyful volunteers, nor has it slowed down the tasks being completed.

On Tuesday, the drywall installation at the Asuncion house was completed, inspected, and approved!  So, on Wednesday the volunteers there were able to begin mudding the seams, screws, etc.

At the Ho’opai house, there was a bit more sanding, then priming outside for the 1^st time, and adding a 2^nd coat of primer inside.

And we started on the Madrigal house!  This large house has a unique roof design – actually two MDS houses put together – allowing an extended family to share the space/lot.  The concrete slab was previously poured, so our crew is in the beginning stages of framing the walls.

Everyone here is enjoying the food being prepared, and offered, by our Husband/Wife team, Lynn & Val Kipfer. Cindy has been kept quite busy with office functions and needs around camp. Ann has done several special projects for our Project Director. And, Mitch – the Project Director, is sure to be found at any location, at any time of day – or night!

One evening this week, a small group of volunteers took a quick trip to a local beach – Baby Beach. While there, we had a visitor – a lovely sea turtle!  We estimated his/her shell to be about 3’ long – he/she was huge (at least to those of us that don’t normally see Sea Turtles!)

Wednesday evening we were joined by two representatives, Courtney & Moani from MEMA – Maui Emergency Management Agency.  They explained the work their team does in assisting the local population with housing, food, funding opportunities, etc in times of need/disasters.

We were also privileged to have members of the Madrigal Family join us – Jose, Margarita, Omar, Jonathan, Jesus, Fatima, and Emily.  Jonathan spoke to everyone about how the fires spread and they lost their home, along with their possessions. At first they were being housed in an outside facility, with no news on what was really going on – until a friend came in and told them the housing area where their home had been was completely gone.  Everyone with MDS felt blessed to have this family come and share their story.

This Friday we will be saying goodbye to all of our ‘Weekly’ Volunteers. It will be sad to see them go – after spending 2 weeks together, we have gotten to know everyone and consider them friends.  Saturday many of us hope to join in a Whale Watching Tour!  Then time will be spent preparing for our next group of volunteers, who will be arriving Sunday afternoon.