Amidst this island-wide devastation that Hurricane Lowel brought to Kauaʻi, our wahi pana (sacred place) of Nōmilu took a catastrophic hit. 

Nōmilu is a storied, sacred wahi pana deeply rooted in Kauaʻi's cultural history. 

Today, that legacy faces an urgent challenge.

On September 7, 2026, Hurricane Lowell swept past the west of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, battering the island with damaging 92 mph wind gusts, torrential rain, fallen trees, and island-wide power outages. Along south-facing shores, historic 20- to 30-foot waves and a 4-foot storm surge swept inland, leaving widespread flooding and coastal damage in their wake.

At Nōmilu, violent ocean surges inundated our delicate loko iʻa and destroyed decades of community restoration in hours. Massive boulders and sand now blanket the thriving fishpond, marine debris litters the land, and our facility infrastructure is completely ruined, leaving this sacred wahi pana unrecognizable. 

Witnessing this historic source of sustenance in ruins breaks our hearts, but it also drives our urgency. As Kauaʻi heals, Nōmilu must rebuild. We ask for the community's help to clear debris, repair the damage, and bring Nōmilu back to life. 

Onōmilu, supported by ʻohana and community, spent decades restoring Nōmilu into a thriving fishpond, outdoor classroom, and cultural hub. By clearing invasive plants and debris, opening freshwater springs, and repairing the ‘auwai, volunteers revived essential cultural stewardship on the ʻāina. Because Nōmilu grounds local education and culture, recent damage erased decades of community-led restoration in mere hours, threatening a resource preserved for future generations. 

Your contributions will fund immediate emergency recovery efforts, starting with heavy equipment rentals, structural building materials, and the critical tools required to restore our walls and traditional mākāhā. Donations will also allow us to clear the massive amounts of marine and storm debris left behind by the surge, and directly replace the lost stewardship tools so our local keiki can safely return to the land for hands-on, place-based learning.

Because we are a registered charity, your donations go directly to Onōmilu's secure charity platform, and you will automatically receive a tax-deductible receipt.

The ʻike  (wisdom) of our kūpuna teaches us resilience, but we cannot rebuild this historical treasure alone. Please consider making a donation today. No amount is too small. If you cannot donate, sharing this page with your family, friends, and social networks is an incredible way to help us heal the ʻāina.

Mahalo nui loa for your aloha, prayers, and unwavering support during this critical time