Submitted by Joanne Laird, Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset
The Rotary Club of Kihei Wailea has successfully secured a $21,000 grant from the Hawaii Rotary District 5000 Foundation’s Maui Fires Relief Fund to support the Maui Rescue Mission (MRM) mobile units. The first unit has been deployed to different locations each week, offering essential services to the houseless community on Maui. These services include mobile laundry facilities, ADA accessible bathrooms with hot showers, clothing, snacks, personal care items, wound care supplies, wifi, and charging stations. MRM has been providing these vital services for the past five years at various locations across the island.
In the aftermath of the devastating Maui fires, MRM stepped up their efforts by extending their services to the Olowalu camp at Cut Mountain and began offering laundry services to Pu’uhonoa o Nene Shelter. The overwhelming demand for these services led to the realization that their current mobile unit was in need of repairs. As a result, MRM decided to seek funding for a second mobile shower and laundry resource center. The grant secured will not only cover the repairs for the existing mobile unit but also provide the new center with essential equipment such as tents, tables, chairs, and outreach supplies to ensure its smooth operation. Maui Rotary Assistant Governor Al Weiland expressed Rotary’s support for the Maui Rescue Mission in their efforts to provide crucial services and uphold dignity for the homeless individuals in our community.