Bayanihan Resilience Project

Funded by Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Bayanihan Resiliency Project is led by EEH to strengthen the health, well-being, and resilience of Maui's Filipino community, particularly those affected by the devastating August 2023 Lāhainā wildfires. EEH builds on longstanding partnerships with Filipino and Filipino-serving organizations across Maui County while cultivating new collaborations to expand outreach and connect community members with vital services and resources. With a proven history of providing linguistically and culturally appropriate programs for Hawaiʻi's diverse communities, EEH is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of wildfire survivors through trusted, culturally responsive engagement.

The project focuses on supporting residents impacted by the fires, especially those who lived in Lāhainā, where Filipinos made up approximately 40% of the population before the disaster. Lāhainā was also home to a significant immigrant population, with nearly one-third of residents born outside the United States and more than one-third of households speaking a language other than English at home. Many families continue to face economic challenges, underscoring the need for accessible, culturally relevant support.

During the first year of the Bayanihan Resiliency Project, EEH and its community partner, Kaibigan Ng Lāhainā (Friends of Lāhainā), reached an estimated 180,000 radio listeners through programs providing information on mental health and wellness, housing, recovery resources, survivor stories, and community events. These broadcasts were also livestreamed on Facebook, generating more than 15,000 plays. EEH's participation in community events throughout the year further strengthened relationships with Filipino organizations and the broader network of agencies serving wildfire-affected residents.

In its second year, the project continues to expand access to trusted information and resources through Filipino ethnic media while increasing awareness of government and community services available in Ilokano and Filipino/Tagalog. The project also offers workshops on accessing public resources, employment and job readiness, and best practices for organizations working with the Filipino community. Through continued collaboration with community-based and government partners, EEH will provide culturally grounded activities and interventions that promote healing, resilience, and long-term recovery.