April has not been an easy month for Hawaii and Pacific Island communities. While Hawaii recovers from a series of unusually devastating Kona low storms, twin cyclones wrought destruction in other Pacific regions. At least 22 people in Papua New Guinea lost their lives to Cyclone Maila, and Super Typhoon Sinlaku flooded homes and left parts of the Northern Mariana Islands without power for what could be weeks. 

These spring disasters are affecting islands, where distance and infrastructure constraints make recovery uniquely challenging. And all are in a region where Native and Indigenous communities tend to face even more recovery barriers. Many live in substandard housing, leaving them more vulnerable to severe damage or the total destruction of their family homes.  

Although these disasters were caused by three separate weather systems, they were all part of what climate scientists predict could become a “Super El Niño” weather pattern. A Super El Niño is expected to bring more frequent and more intense disasters to Asia and the Pacific Islands. The road to recovery for affected communities will be long and require sustained investment to ensure the most vulnerable aren’t left behind. 

Compounding Disasters

To make matters worse, many Pacific Island communities are still recovering from previous disasters. On Maui, where CDP has developed deep relationships over the past three years, residents are still recovering from the catastrophic 2023 Lahaina and Kula fires.  

When disasters layer on top of each other, recovery challenges increase. Displaced survivors are displaced again. People may lose homes for a second time in just a few years. Livelihoods and economies that were beginning to be rebuilt face major setbacks, and recovery-related construction projects are delayed. Woven through all of this is heartbreak: People wake up every day and face the reality that they have no choice but to start the recovery process all over again.

How To Help Hawaii and the Pacific Islands

With this knowledge and insights gained from our Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund in mind, we’ve compiled a list of recovery issue areas funders should consider supporting to make a lasting impact on communities most in need in Hawaii and beyond.

Read the full article about disaster recovery for Hawaii and the Pacific Islands by Laura Lynn Taylor at Center for Disaster Philanthropy.