Volunteers Help Rebuild Homes for Families in Lahaina, Hawaii
Fifteen volunteers with Mennonite Disaster Service advanced construction on three homes in Lahaina, Hawaii, according to a November 4 update describing the ministry’s late-October rebuilding work.
Crews installed kitchen cabinets, worked on siding and roofing, and prepared homes for subsequent stages of construction. The update describes progress on houses still being rebuilt, rather than three newly completed homes or a new round of homeowner move-ins.
At the Madrigal home, volunteers continued drywall finishing and painting while installing kitchen cabinets. Crew leaders also planned flooring installation for rooms where painting had been completed. The property includes seven bedrooms, two living rooms, two kitchens and four bathrooms.
Work at the Hashimura home focused on soffit, siding and interior preparations for electrical and plumbing inspections. The house passed inspection, allowing crews to prepare for insulation. At the Walker home, roof shingling was nearing completion, alongside structural work and cleanup.
Heavy rain affected the work schedule, prompting teams to prepare indoor tasks. The ministry also described changes among cooks and crew leaders as volunteers finished their assignments and replacements arrived. Keeping those teams organized remained part of sustaining the rebuilding effort.
The work forms part of Lahaina’s longer recovery from the 2023 wildfire. Mennonite Disaster Service has partnered with the local Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group to help residents rebuild permanent homes.
An earlier milestone came on March 6, 2026, when the partners celebrated the completion of homes for the Yadao and Kahahane families. Nearly 100 community members, volunteers and supporters attended the home blessings, according to a March report by Maui Now. Those completed homes are separate from the three projects described in the November update.
The partnership combines volunteer construction work with local organizations and other rebuilding partners. The earlier homes included a five-bedroom residence and a two-bedroom residence, illustrating how the program addresses different household needs.
Goshen College documented student volunteers working with the same ministry in May, including construction at the Madrigal property. That earlier account described it as a multigenerational home combining two houses into one project. The November report shows work continuing toward its interior completion, with additional construction tasks still ahead.
References
Mennonite Disaster Service — November 4, 2026.
Update covering late-October rebuilding work.
mds/weekly_report/lahaina-hi-oct-23-27-2026/
Maui Now — March 9, 2026; updated March 11.
Home dedication ceremonies held March 6, 2026.
mauinow/2026/03/09/hoʻola-ltrg-and-mennonite-disaster-service-mark-milestone-with-completion-of-their-first-two-rebuilt-homes-in-lahaina/
Goshen College — May 6, 2026.
goshen/news/2026/mds-work-in-lahaina-begins/
