Global Christian organization delivers housing to ʻohana in Lahaina

Over the weekend, Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization, dedicated three new homes for Maui families affected by the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

Lahaina resident Carol Santos and her ʻohana, whose house had burned in the blaze, recently celebrated in their brand-new living room surrounded by family, friends and volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse. They shared stories, sang worship music and Santos “thanked God for this fresh start,” the organization recounted in an announcement.

A dedication ceremony was held Saturday, June 28, on Maui.

“I have a home and security for my children,” she said in a statement. “We can now come back together. Samaritan’s Purse brought my family home. This is God’s house.”

Remarks were given by Luther Harrison, Samaritan’s Purse vice president of North American Ministries, who added, “This is a great day, seeing this family rejoice. While the grief is still heavy in this community, the church is standing beside them.

“I thank God for our volunteers who are here giving of their time and talents. Our help comes from the Lord, and we ask that you continue to pray for the families who are still recovering.”

Local contractors and volunteers from the organization construct the homes, which “stands as a visible reminder to these families that they are not forgotten,” the nonprofit noted.

So far, the organization has rebuilt five homes in Lahaina, with 16 more under construction and an additional 24 approved for rebuilding. Samaritan’s Purse will also provide building materials to 18 additional families.

As part of the organization’s ongoing recovery efforts on Maui, Samaritan’s Purse has provided more than 700 volunteers to assist more than 900 families, along with 41 tons of relief supplies and equipment, per the announcement.

Samaritan’s Purse is a non-denominational evangelical Christian organization that since 1970 has provided “spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world,” according to its website.

This is the nonprofitʻs second deployment to Hawaiʻi in the last decade. In 2018, Samaritan's Purse mobilized equipment and volunteers to help families in the wake of the catastrophic flooding on Kauaʻi.

For more information or to volunteer, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.