Maui Resources and Information After the Fires

This webpage will be continuously updated with new information so please check back frequently. The Hawaii Medical Association also has a similar webpage with updated resources which you can peruse.

This is a nice summary on KHON regarding lead screening in keiki with reference to the Keiki Health Fair in Lahaina. To read this article, click here.

Dr. Livaudais Appears on National AAP Podcast to Discuss Disaster Preparedness

Pediatrics Research Roundup, Surviving and Preparing for Disasters – Ep. 194

In this episode posted on 3/5/2024, Rachel Moon, MD, FAAP, associate editor of digital media for the journal Pediatrics, shares a research roundup from the March issue. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also talk to Felicitas Livaudais, MD, FAAP, and Cindy Calderon, MD, FAAP, about surviving disasters and learning how to prepare for the future.

Check out the podcast at the 15:00 mark.

Child Care Resources

The Ready Keiki initiative is a multifaceted plan to ensure that all Hawaii’s children are ready for kindergarten while creating economic stability for local families. Ready Keiki will expand access to preschool for Hawaii’s 3- and 4-year-olds. Click on the link to learn more about Ready Keiki and apply.

Maui Relief TANF Program - Online applications will open on Friday Oct 20th - Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (meoinc.org)

Preschool Open Doors | Patch Hawaii . Phone number is 808-242-9232.

Family Child Care Licensing | Patch Hawaii for potential people who would like to start up their own childcare business. They can also call Leia Snyder at Maui Patch at 808-856-4092.

Family, Friend, Neighbor Care | Learning To Grow (learningtogrowhawaii.org). They assist FFN providers through the process. However, they do NOT refer.

Dr. Irene Papaconstadopoulos and Marisol Abad talks about reentry precautions to West Maui.

To watch their video, click here.

Dr. Felicitas Livaudais talks about the Lahaina Wildfires

Dr. Fely Livaudais, a Maui pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente and HAAP Board Member, gave a riveting and informative presentation on August 29, 2023, talking about history of Lahaina, the bravery of individuals during the wildfires, and the many individuals and organizations that have helped with the recovery effort. To watch her video, go to Hawai’i Rural Health ECHO Videos, and click on “Kokua Lahaina Rising” under the month of August.

Hawaii AAP Provides Testimony at Maui’s Board of Education Meeting Supporting Maui Children Affected by the Lahaina WildFires

Dr. Maya Maxym, co-chair of HAAP’s Advocacy Committee, gave written testimony on behalf of the HAAP to the Maui’s BOE Meeting on August 24, 2023, supporting Maui children affected by the wildfires. To see her testimony, click here.

Dr. Cassandra Simonson, a pediatrician at Maui’s Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center and member of HAAP’s Advocacy Committee, gave a riveting oral testimony at this meeting. To watch her oral testimony, click here (4 minutes).

Dr. Melissa Kim, also of Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center and Advocacy Committee member, testified and was quoted in the Star-Advertiser.

What not to say

This 2-page summary provides education professionals concrete advice on “what not to say” to grieving students and their families. It offers more constructive alternatives.

Children’s Books (updated with final version)

There Was a Fire (A story for young children on Maui)

This story was written by Liz Hartline who is the Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Honolulu Community College. It is designed for children ages 3-8 who have been affected by the Maui wildfires. The pictures and language used is generic, but does mention that people died in the fire. Children who have directly experienced loss or children with limited language may need a more personalized version of this story. Please edit the pdf as needed for the children in your care to be more or less specific. At the end of the story there is a list of resources for caregivers. To access this story, click on the button below.

There was a Fire

Trinka and Sam: The Big Fire

Trinka and Sam helps young children and their families talk about feelings and worries they may have after experiencing a large-scale fire, like a wildfire. This children's book describes some of Trinka's and Sam's reactions and talks about how their parents help them to express their feelings and feel safer.

Trinka and Sam

Med-QUEST

Med-Quest is suspending Medicaid termination for Maui patients effective 8/10/2023 for both children and adults.

Med-Quest is removing edits for early medication refills and DME. So, patients should be able to fill medications and obtain equipment if they do not have these.
NEW: Medication Program for Uninsured called EPAP by HHS. EPAP will be covering the vast majority of prescriptions for uninsured patients. To see the list of uncovered medications and covered DME, click on this link.

WIC: Update on Infant Formula

If families are unable to find their WIC card, they can call the Maui WIC office or go in person to the WIC office and get help to get a new WIC card. However, there have been some stores that are short on infant formula. Pharmacare delivered a pallet to the Maui Food Bank on 8/15/2023 and 8/16/2023. National vendors have also delivered formula to the Maui Food Bank including a very large shipment of Similac. Vendors are in the process of resupplying stores. Although the Maui WIC Office has some formula in stock, the Maui Food Bank will have more.

There is a large shipment of infant formula (Abbott - Similac) scheduled to arrive on Maui on 8/22/2023, after which it will go to the Maui Food Bank.

Volunteering

The State of Hawaii Department of Health is coordinating efforts for healthcare providers to support the West Maui Community. If interested click on this link (will need to scroll down close to the bottom to see the online form).
The Maui Health System of Kaiser Permanente is asking for volunteers to staff temporary clinics in West Maui at the Lahaina Gateway, Napili Park, and possibly other locations. The primary focus will be to provide medication refills, basic urgent care, wound care, and offer psychological support. To sign up, click on the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/hNLmv4fW1V. The lead site will handle location assignments and all volunteers will be leaving together.
Project Vision Hawaii is seeking for medical volunteers for those affected by the Lahaina Fires. If interested, click on this link (will need to scroll down to find the Sign Up Now button).
NEW LOCATION: Mauna Medic Healers Hui is a grassroots organization that sends volunteers to Lahaina. Everybody is welcome, not only physicians. No skill is needed, just helping hands and a loving heart. For people who want to help, they can show up at 9 AM at the Honokowai Beach Park. The Mauka Medic Team then gives assignments. The Maui Rapid Response (which is a collective disaster response organization made up of individuals from Maui-Mutual-Aid, Maui-Strong, and a number of nonprofit and direct-aid organizations, working in coordination with county and state officials) has a sign-up form to coordinate medical support.
The Hawaii Medical Association is compiling a list of physicians who are able to volunteer their time and expertise. If you are willing to serve the community and volunteer your efforts, please contact Mark Conching at m.conching@hawaiimedicalassociation.org. Include your name, contact phone number and email address. They will forward volunteer submissions to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and will contact you directly when the need arises.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is calling for volunteers. The Hawaii MRC operates under the Hawaii State Department of Health. In a disaster, MRC volunteers may be activated to provide surge capacity to DOH and other emergency management partners.
The American Red Cross is calling for volunteers. If interested, click on this link.

Maui Events and Medical Clinics

CHAMPS Pediatrics will not require proof of insurance for the families affected and will waive their costs.
Kaiser Permanente Maui and Malama E Ke Ola will have medical mobile vans set up in Lahaina.
The John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawai’i State Rural Health Association, Hawai’i U Telehealth, and AHEC are offering FREE telehealth services, including mental health counseling, evaluations, and medications. Computers and hot spots are provided if needed. For more information, call (808)375-2745 or visit hawaiiutelehealth.org.

Mental Wellbeing for First Responders, Staff, and Volunteers

This Zoom space invites first responders, frontline staff, volunteers, and all helpers who have been involved in caring for those affected by the Maui wild fires. This is available at no charge from volunteers who have experience in supporting mental health needs. Go to this Zoom link. Password is: 12345.

Mental Health Resources: Infants/Children/Teenagers

Hazel Health is supporting children who experienced anxiety, worry, or other symptoms of mental distress.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. The AACAP’s online Disaster & Trauma Resource Center has resources and information about helping children through a disaster.
Caring for Children in a Disaster (CDC). The CDC has an online resource center with tips on responding to and coping with emergency situations and disasters, including specific recommendations for children.
Kids Hurt Too Hawai‘i. If you or someone you know who need grief and trauma services call: 808-545-5684.
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies. If you are in need of immediate maternal or child support in any capacity, reach out to: Call: 808-737-5805. Email: info@hmhb-hawaii.org. 24/7 Klara Line at www.HMHB-Hawaii.org.

Mental Health Resources: Parents/Families

American Red Cross. In addition to providing emergency response support, the American Red Cross has resources on emotional recovery and disaster relief.
Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national hotline (not KP-affiliated) that’s dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling. Those needing support can call or text 1-800-985-5990.
NAMI Hawai’i (Maui Strong Support Group). Current meeting times are 8/19/23 at 10:00 AM and 8/26/23 at 10:00 AM. You can register by sending an email to anisa@namihawaii.org.
The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health, Maui Community Mental Health Center offers crisis mental health services and is expanding hours to those experiencing emotional or psychological distress as a result of the Maui wildfires. To receive emergency services, contact Maui CMHC. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They have expanded clinic hours on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate immediate needs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For after-hours support, please contact Hawai‘i CARES 988. Phone number is 808-984-2150. Email is mauiwellness@doh.hawaii.gov. Address is 121 Mahalani Street in Wailuku, HI.
Hawai‘i Cares. To accommodate immediate needs, there will be expanded clinic hours on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, contact Hawai’i CARES to speak to a local crisis counselor at 808-832-3100, 800-753-6879 or call/text/chat with 988. The public is encouraged to reach out if they need emergency services such as mental health counseling, trauma processing, psychiatric services and resource guidance. Translated into 27 languages, the “Help After a Disaster” brochure is a tool that can be shared in your community to help people understand the types of FEMA assistance that may be available to support individuals and families in disaster recovery.
Aloha United Way. 211 provides information and referrals about emergency resources and services to Hawaiʻi residents, which operates seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Programs and resources include shelters, healthcare, food, school closures and much more. Call, text, or chat 211.
SAMSHA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline. Disaster Distress Helpline – national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
*Services available in multiple languages. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center Guide – (PDF download). For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7. Or go to the website above and click the "ASL Now" button below.
Child and Family Service. Crisis Relief Line: Disaster support Hotline Services. Connect callers with Resources and Disaster recovery help. Maui/Non-O‘ahu Residents: 1-855-550-4673. O‘ahu: 808-515-4673.
The Salvation Army of Hawai‘i. https://hawaii.salvationarmy.org/hawaii_2/maui-location/. The Salvation Army in Maui County is providing emergency food boxes, meals-to-go, and emotional and spiritual support at a variety of locations. Spiritual Guided Counseling: 808-440-1846.
Catholic Charities Hawai‘i – https://www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/counseling-mental-health/
Our counseling programs offer individuals, couples and families the support they need to build healthy relationships and enhance personal wellness. Call their help line at (808) 527-4470. Phone: (808) 442-5700.
Mental Health America (MHA) Hawai‘i. https://mentalhealthhawaii.org. MHA Hawaii promotes mental health and wellness through education, advocacy, service and access to care statewide. If you are looking for a list of agencies and programs that offer behavioral health services, please see MHA’s Finding Help Phone List (2021). Statewide Office on O‘ahu: (808) 521-1846. Branch Office on Maui: (808) 242-6461.
Natalie Werkoff, LCSW, CSAC is offering FREE mental health support groups. Group details are the following: 8/18/23 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93303860163. Meeting ID: 933 0386 0163.
Mana Mental Health is offering Free individual counseling sessions for women who are pregnant or postpartum. **All sessions virtual or by phone – all islands**. Call, Email or visit the website: Ph: 971-251-2081. Email: kalena@manamentalhealth.com. Web: www.manamentalhealth.com.
Carelon Behavioral Health – Partner with HMSA is offering FREE counseling services. Call: 1-800-580-6934.
AANHPI – Ohana Center of Excellence has a consolidated list of resources and information regarding the Maui Wildfires. Visit Hawai‘i Wildfire Resources - ‘Ohana Center of Excellence (aanhpi-ohana.org).
The HawaiiUTeleheath (HUT) provides FREE telehealth services. HUT is supported by the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC). For more information and to sign up, click here.

Other Resources

The State of Hawaii Department of Health has resources on the Maui Wildfire Response including information on health clinics, behavioral health services, environmental and hazard concerns, and replacing vital records.
Dean Wong of Imua Family Services shared good resources for the Maui Wildfires. There are two JPEG’s of resources that he also shared which can be used in texting (#1 and #2). These includes a checklist of what to do (unemployment, FEMA, etc.) and is meant to be brief and easy to understand.
The Lane County Resource Guide of Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. (TIP) is a 80-page document which has information on coping after a tragedy, emotional first aid, food assistance, etc. Another good TIP website is http://www.whentragedystrikes.org/.
The State of Hawaii and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) have launched the Hawaii Fire Relief Housing Program. The goal of the program is to connect those in urgent need of housing due to the Maui fires, with Hawaiʻi homeowners willing to assist by offering unoccupied rooms, units or houses on a temporary basis. For more information, click here.
Supporting the grieving child and family: A clinical report from the AAP offering practical suggestions for pediatricians and other child healthcare providers on how to support grieving children and families.
Providing psychosocial support to children and families in the aftermath of disasters and crises: This clinical report provides practical suggestions on how to identify common adjustment difficulties in children in the aftermath of a disaster and to promote effective coping strategies to mitigate the impact of the disaster as well as any associated bereavement and secondary stressors.
Asbestos.com by The Mesothelioma Center has a guide on asbestos and natural disasters, including wildfires. Asbestos is carcinogenic. This guide includes exposure prevention tips and cleaning after a wildfire.

American Academy of Pediatrics Resources

AAP Patient Care Tools and Resources

AAP HealthyChildren.org Parenting Resources

How Children Understand Death & What You Should Say

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) – the AAP serves as the national program office for this network of children’s environmental health experts

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Below are resources for talking to children about disasters, as well as resources for clinicians, volunteers, and organizations. These resources are a starting point in addressing the trauma that affects victims of disasters and are not intended to serve as a substitute for psychiatric treatment or counseling.

For information on talking to children about disasters please visit the following sites:

· Disaster and Trauma Resource Center (aacap.org)

· Disaster Liaison Network Resource Center (aacap.org)

· Climate Change and Eco-Anxiety in Youth (aacap.org)

· Talking-Children-about-Wildfires-and-other-Natural-Disasters.pdf (aacap.org)

· Microsoft Word - Helping Youth AFter Community Trauma For Educators_Final_explosions (nctsn.org)

· secondary_traumatic_stress_child_serving_professionals.pdf (aacap.org)

· Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event: What To Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life (aacap.org)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

In response to the recent wildfires in Hawaii, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together.

For residents or visitors needing to find shelter go to https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii.html or call 1 800 Red Cross if you need help.

Resources include:

· Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires (En Español)

· Wildfires: Tips for Parents on Media Coverage (En Español)

· Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents

· Trinka and Sam: The Big Fire - e-book for young children. (En Español)

· Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español)

· Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)

· Creating Supportive Environments: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)

· Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)

· Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)

· Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)

· The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After A Parent or Caregiver Dies

· After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (En Español)

· Once I Was Very Very Scared (En Español) – children’s book for young children

· Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (for responders)

Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA PFA Handouts include:

For community and mental health providers who plan to continue working with affected communities long-term, review Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR; En Español) and take the SPR Online course.

Resources to Support Firefighters:

The Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health has resources for firefighters, providers supporting them, and their friends and family, including the Helping Heroes web-based training.

Mobile Apps:

Available from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University and other partners: