Kani Hou ka Iwi
Helping communities to recover from and build resilience to disasters
Following the devastating wildfires that occurred in Lāhainā in August of 2023, the need for legal services in the realm of disaster relief and resilience became abundantly apparent. NHLC founded Kani Hou Ka Iwi, a program dedicated to disaster relief and resilience, soon after the Lāhainā wildfires to respond to this need.
This program takes inspiration from the ʻōlelo noʻeau “He pukoʻa kani ʻāina,” or the land strengthened by the coral reefs that surround it. Kani Hou ka Iwi interprets this meaning into making the bones strong, symbolizing intergenerational resilience.
According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Hawaiʻi faced 68 declared disasters from May 1952 to November 2024. Leading the count in disasters are Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County, with 29 and 28 respectively. Alarmingly, 26 of the 68 were fires as the number of fire-related disasters has nearly quadrupled in the past 20 years. Additionally, environmental threats like floods, severe storms, and volcanic eruptions pose significant risks to Hawaiʻi communities.
The Kani Hou ka Iwi program provides legal services in these areas specifically tailored to disaster recovery efforts:
- FEMA applications and appeals
- Access rights
- Burial protection
- Water rights
- Probate
- Debris clean-up
Need Assistance?
If you have a legal issue and would like to see if we can help you, please call our office at (808) 521-2302 or contact us using our Contact Form.
Contact
Sharla Manley
Of Counsel
Equal Justice Works
Disaster Resilience Fellow
Devon Haia
Staff Attorney
Equal Justice Works
Disaster Resilience Fellow
Resources
- Ho‘ohana Aku, a Ho‘ola Aku: A Legal Primer for Traditional and Customary Rights in Hawai‘i provided by the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law
News + Insights
By Devon Haia, Esq. Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Fellow and Staff Attorney Whether property was recently purchased, or passed down through generations, ʻohana can use a family land trust as a legal ...
By Liʻulā Christensen, NHLC Senior Staff Attorney When multiple family members own undivided interests or shares in a single property, that property is generally considered “heirs’ property.” Sometimes title is still in the ...
How can a deceased owner sign a RoE to participate in the free Maui Wildfire Debris Removal program?
My ʻohana’s home burned down in the Lahaina wildfire. The property is owned by me and my deceased sibling. I want to sign up for the free Maui Wildfire Debris Removal program, but ...
