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Representative Jeanné Kapela

@repkapela

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Mother | Legislator | Doer
State Representative for House District 5
South Kona to Kea’au 🌺

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MAHALO!! 🤍

There are no words to fully describe the tragedy and chaos our communities have experienced since Hurricane Lala hit. But as a dear friend reminded me: look for the bright spots.

Friends, our recovery will be long, but I am so damn proud of what we put into place. More than anything, I am forever grateful for the people, organizations, businesses, volunteers, and incredible amount of aloha that showed up when our community needed it most.

In just 3 days, we built a functioning supply and distribution hub across 6 locations in West Hawaiʻi, thanks to partners who immediately said, “How can we help?”
@konadanceandperformingarts @katy_raczkowski @westhawaiirealtors @wannabeepono @hawaiiislandhumanesociety and Tradewinds Hi

And over the next 2.5 weeks, with your support, we pushed more than $100,000 in cash and direct aid into Kaʻū, from Ocean View to Pāhala.

Our little hub, run by myself and two incredible friends @clair.oneil @higirltravels who stepped up when we needed them most, helped coordinate:

• 6 collection locations
• 75+ truckloads of supplies
• 45 volunteers
• 1,300+ volunteer hours
• 4 helicopter deliveries
• And more phone calls, texts, DMs, supply runs, and late nights than I could ever count

I share those numbers because I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together. We saw a gap, and we filled it.

And somehow, on top of all of that, we coordinated, funded, and delivered 73 FREE generators into Kaʻū for families, kūpuna, medically fragile residents, and others who desperately needed support. That effort was so incredible it deserves its own post. ❤️

It has been such a whirlwind that I haven’t had much time to stop and share what happened. But to EVERYONE who donated, volunteered, shared a post, made a call, sent a DM, drove a truck, opened a storage space, connected us to resources, or simply asked, “What do you need?”YOU were a part of this recovery.

I will never forget the way we activated as one island, one state, and one community.

There is still so much work ahead. But these are the bright spots I will carry with me.

@rainbowhelicopters @repjilltokuda @vibranthawaii @mauimutualaid

Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo. 🤍 taken in Ka'u by @repkapela

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a month ago

Ka’ū 🤍 Need help filing for unemployment after Hurricane Lala?

The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is sending staff to Kaʻū to help impacted residents complete and process their unemployment applications.

📍 Nāʻālehu Hongwanji
Monday, August 31
10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

📍 Pāhala Community Center
Tuesday, September 1
10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Please bring a valid ID. Help us spread the word to anyone who has lost work or income because of the storm! #KokuaKau taken in Naalehu, Hawaii by @repkapela

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a month ago

A message of mahalo from Nāʻālehu. ❤️

Marcia Masters, Team Lead for the Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub, shares her gratitude for the incredible generosity shown to the Kaʻū community following Hurricane Lala.

As power is restored and the need for emergency distributions begin to decrease, communities are moving into its next phase of recovery.

The needs ahead will look different. Volunteer efforts will begin shifting from distributing water and basic necessities to cleaning out homes, navigating insurance processes, making repairs, and supporting families as they rebuild.

This does not mean our response is over. It means the work is changing.

As Marcia shares, the outpouring of donations and support from across Hawaiʻi Island has been deeply appreciated. Mahalo to everyone who gave, volunteered, transported supplies, checked on neighbors, and helped communities through the immediate aftermath of the storm.

As our islandwide community begins their journey toward disaster recovery, we will continue sharing updates about what is needed and how you can help.

Mahalo for showing up for Kaʻū and Hawaiʻi Island. Truly, we each hold one piece that is a part of something bigger. ❤️ by @repkapela

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2 months ago

8/20 UPDATED LIST | OUR COMMUNITIES NEED OUR KŌKUA 💛🌧️

In the wake of Hurricane Lala, Capitol Modern and MORI by Art+Flea, in partnership with Our Hawaiʻi, Vibrant Hawaiʻi, and Representative Jeanné Kapela, are urgently collecting supplies to support families and communities on Hawaiʻi Island and in Waiʻanae.

Every contribution can make a difference. Please review the requested items before dropping off and share this post to help us spread the word. Please do not bring any items that are not listed, as they will be turned away.

📍 Drop-off at MORI, Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., First Floor
🗓️ Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
📧 Questions: aly@artandflea.com

• For quick drop-offs, you can pull up along the Richard’s Street loading zone (see slide 3). If you need assistance carrying items from your vehicle, please walk in to MORI, someone will come out to help.
• Donation needs will continue to be updated as the situation evolves, please check the latest list before arriving which will be pinned to our feed

Mahalo nui for continuing to show up for one another. Together, we can help get much-needed supplies into the hands of our communities. 💛

#CapitolModern #HurricaneLala #Kokua #HawaiiStrong #Hawaii

8/20 updated informational graphics requesting community donations for families and communities affected by Hurricane Lala. The first announces an urgent need for donations and provides drop-off information at MORI inside Capitol Modern in Downtown Honolulu. The second lists requested supplies for Hawaiʻi Island and Waiʻanae, including empty gas cans, flood clean-up supplies, electronics, clothing, blankets, tarps, tents, non-perishable food, diapers, wipes, and other essential items. Also includes a photo to the Richard’s Street loading zone. The graphics include the logos of MORI by Art+Flea, Capitol Modern, Our Hawaiʻi, and Vibrant Hawaiʻi, with support from Representative Jeanné Kapela. taken in Capitol Modern by @repkapela

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2 months ago

Kōkua Kaʻū! 🌺

Kaʻū needs our help. In the aftermath of Hurricane Lala, families and communities are working to recover, and there is an urgent need for essential supplies.

Please donate what you can. All donations collected at our drop-off sites will be transported directly to Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s distribution hubs across Kaʻū.

We also need volunteers to help us collect, sort, transport, and distribute donations. Whether you can give a few hours or a few days, we would love to have you join us. ❤️

A huge mahalo to all of the businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and community partners stepping up to make this effort possible. This is what it means to take care of one another.

Donate. Volunteer. Kōkua Kaʻū. 🌺 by @repkapela

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2 months ago

📡 Help Us Keep Hawaiʻi Island Families Connected

In the wake of Hurricane Lala, reliable internet access is critical for families trying to stay connected, access resources, and begin the recovery process.

We are seeking Starlink units to help provide internet access to impacted families and communities.

If you have a Starlink unit available to donate, please contact Rep. Jeanne Kapela at (808) 854-1148.

Please share this post to help us reach anyone who may be able to kōkua. ❤️ by @repkapela

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2 months ago

📢 COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE — HAWAIʻI ISLAND

📍 Ocean View Marketplace Parking Lot
Kaʻū Radio has set up a Starlink Wi-Fi access point to provide internet access.
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. all week

🤝 Assistance & SNAP Support
Vibrant Hawaiʻi will have navigators on site to help residents complete requests for assistance and SNAP replacement forms.

Please share this information with neighbors, family and friends who may need support. 💙 by @repkapela

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2 months ago

Tune in!
Hawai’i County to host Hurricane Lala Press Conference
Sunday, August 16, 2026 @12:00 PM
Livestream via YouTube
Linked via story post. by @repkapela

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2 months ago

Please stay safe!!! 🫶🏾 by @repkapela

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2 months ago

🚨 TROPICAL STORM LALA UPDATE: PREPARE NOW 🚨

Hawaiʻi Island is under a Hurricane Warning as Tropical Storm Lala approaches. The storm could be at or near hurricane strength as it nears our island, with damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, power outages, and road closures possible beginning Friday evening.

Peak impacts are currently expected Saturday, with hazardous conditions potentially continuing through Sunday.

🏠 SHELTERS OPEN FRIDAY AT 6 PM

For District 5 and nearby communities:
• Yano Hall — Captain Cook
• Nāʻālehu Elementary School Gym
• Robert N. Herkes Gym — Pāhala
• Keaʻau Armory
• Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility
• Kealakehe High School Gym — Kona

If you need to use a shelter, bring your own food, water, medications, and essential supplies.

🌧️ PREPARE TODAY
• Get your go-bag ready
• Charge phones and backup batteries
• Secure outdoor furniture and loose items
• Prepare for possible extended power outages
• Know your flood risk and avoid flooded roads
• Check on kūpuna and neighbors who may need help
• Make sure you have food, water, medications, and supplies for pets

🚌 HELE-ON: Paratransit ends at 8 PM Friday. All fixed-route and Paratransit services are cancelled Saturday and Sunday.

🗑️ TRANSFER STATIONS: All County solid waste facilities will be closed Saturday.

🏖️ SANDBAGS: County sandpile locations and additional storm resources are available through the links in my bio / story.

Please take the time we have now to prepare. A small change in Lala’s track could significantly change the impacts we experience across Hawaiʻi Island.

And please check on one another. I’ll continue sharing updates and resources in my stories as we receive them. by @repkapela

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2 months ago

Turns out public service is kind of chic ✨

But in all seriousness, it’s never lost on me what an incredible honor, and responsibility, it is to carry the hearts, hopes, and needs of our communities into the State Capitol.

Each election season, I’m reminded just how lucky I am to represent the place that raised me, to fight for those of us who call it home, and to help change what leadership can look like along the way.

Mahalo nui for the opportunity to keep showing up, keep doing the work, and keep leading with aloha as we build a better Hawaiʻi together. 🌺

Serving our community…… Always chic 🤍 taken in Hawaii State Capitol by @repkapela

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2 months ago

So proud of this incredible young woman! 💖✨

Another Kona girl has brought home the crown.

Last night was such a full-circle moment. I met Carly 13 years ago at Miss Heiva I Hawai’i, and it has been such a joy to watch her grow over the years. From Miss Hawaiʻi’s Outstanding Teen, to Miss Kona Coffee, and now welcoming her into our Miss Hawaiʻi sisterhood.

It was never a matter of if, only when. From the moment I met her, I knew she would become a Miss Hawaiʻi.

Congratulations, Carly. Welcome to the legacy. Your journey is only just beginning, and I can’t wait to see all you’ll accomplish. 👑🤍 by @repkapela

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2 months ago