DOH PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE FLOODING ON MAUI, MOLOKAʻI, OʻAHU AND LĀNAʻI

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with Aloha House, CARE Hawaiʻi, Inc., Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center, Pacific Counseling Group, LLC and Project Vision Hawaiʻi, has launched Project Hoʻoulu - The Hawaiʻi Resiliency Project, to support children, youth and adults affected by the recent Kona Low floods on Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Lānaʻi.

Project Hoʻoulu is an outreach project where trained crisis counselors identify and help survivors cope with stress, loss and disruption. Project Hoʻoulu staffers go into communities to meet survivors where they are - at homes, shelters, temporary living sites, workplaces, schools and community spaces - to provide support as needed instead of working from a traditional clinic. The service is face-to-face and 100 percent outreach based. There is no call-in line or clinic space associated with this service. Crisis counselors will wear bright green lanyards with name tags that have the title "Project Hoʻoulu" and the counselor's name. They will reach out and be available to be approached through:

• Door-to-door visits in affected neighborhoods
• Outreach at shelters and temporary housing sites
• Presence at community events, informational meetings and resource fairs
• Collaboration with local organizations, schools and faith-based and cultural groups

Since June 12, 2026, Project Hoʻoulu has been providing brief, concise individual, family and group crisis counseling, education, information and resource navigation services. If community members meet a Project Hoʻoulu crisis counselor working in their area, they can talk story, ask questions and receive information and support on the spot. If someone would like more help, counselors can connect them to additional services and check back in, over time.

Crisis counselors help people:

• Learn simple, practical coping skills for managing stress, anxiety and worry
• Understand common reactions to disasters and recognize when they need to seek additional help
• Connect to resources, such as financial assistance, housing support, medical care and longer-term mental health services

The service is free and available to anyone who was affected by the flooding, including children, youth, adults, kūpuna, families and caregivers. There are no insurance requirements, paperwork or eligibility criteria.

Currently, there are eight crisis counselors serving Oʻahu and 13 crisis counselors serving Maui County. These counselors work closely with DOH and community partners to coordinate outreach and ensure that services reach those most affected.

• Central Maui communities: Kahului, Wailuku, Waikapu, Wahiheʻe, Waiehu
• South Maui communities: Kīhei, Wailea, Makena
• West Maui, Upcountry Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi
• Oʻahu: Central Oahu/North Shore, Honolulu (urban core), Windward Oʻahu, Leeward Oʻahu, ʻEwa/Pearl City corridor

"We understand that disasters leave more than physical damage behind - they can deeply affect the emotional and mental well-being of those impacted, sometimes long after the event has passed," said Registered Nurse Quality Manager Maria Tesoro-Morioka. "Project Hoʻoulu is here to support our communities through these challenges and connect individuals and families with resources that can truly help. Put simply, 'hoʻoulu' means to grow and strengthen. Through Project Hoʻoulu, we can navigate the hardships of natural disasters, grow stronger together and hopefully soften any lasting impact."

General crisis support remains available

For general crisis support services including mental health resources or substance use treatment services, call Hawaiʻi CARES 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 988 or 1-800-753-6879, text 988 or chat via the 988 Lifeline. Visit https://hicares.hawaii.gov for more information.

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