Lahaina, HI – Feb. 22-28, 2026

A group of 15 volunteers from the Martindale and Parkview Mennonite Churches in Pennsylvania arrived Sunday, February 22. All young people with lots of energy, they eagerly tackled the job of building houses Monday morning.

A team of 14 volunteers filled Jelyn’s house on Monday and Tuesday, with some painting a bedroom, porch and carport while others hung doors, worked on flooring, installed easing and baseboards. Others installed flooring and painted a vanity cabinet. They painted beams and installed closet shelves. Later in the week they completed detail work and built a picnic table.

Several people worked at Clint’s house each day. They caulked, painted and wrapped porch beams. They framed a room to surround the hot water heater. They cleaned and put in a new mailbox and house number.

At Valerie’s house, they checked roof and installed blocking. They put up fascia trim, soffit and painted eaves. They were excited to lay shingles and completed half of that job in one day and were nearing total completion by Friday. They rebuilt two window casings and installed bird box (attic airflow vent).

Friday, several volunteers installed posts, beams and rafters at the Ascunsion house. They also sheathed the roof.

Monday evening, we celebrated two birthdays with a candle in the cheesecake desserts for Rosie and for Sheila. Thursday, we enjoyed a special dessert of pineapple upside down cake for Jeff’s birthday and on Friday, we had brownies and ice cream sundaes for Angelina’s birthday.

Wednesday morning the group attended the cultural training set up by the long term recovery group. Keeaumaku explained the history and culture of this area. The Mauians lost a lot in the fire, but they have hope again.