Prep Outshines Prayer! Top 15 Ways to Support Hawaii's Climate Disaster Victims

I was in Māui the day before the fires. Michele and I led a couple of truly magical, perfect chant events that weekend... and then the hurricane winds started in so strongly it was difficult to walk on the streets. Scary, but our HOS family is relatively unscathed and far from the damage.

I've been up close and personal with extreme weather in India for decades, so the acceleration of climate change is no surprise. Someone (often several simultaneously) from our global family of chant lovers is dealing with a climate crisis almost constantly. I feel empathy burnout sometimes, but this crisis in my own neighborhood is a rallying call for me.

Perhaps for many others too, having a beloved iconic Hawai'i town suddenly destroyed may also ignite change? While our island 'ohana is grateful for the global outpouring of support, we also hope YOU are safe and ready for what is now our new normal. (Like roaring Rishikesh monsoon flooding today, which you can see on my reels on IG or FB!)

In light of last week's devastating fires in Hawai'i, I have done 2 new blog posts which may be helpful, whether you're inclined to pray and/or prepare + contribute physically.

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I don't know about you, but I get annoyed when I see "PRAY FOR MAUI" popping up everywhere on social media after last week's devastating fires.

You might think that's ironic, coming from me (since I teach people how to teach people to use sound and mantra for self-healing, trauma recovery, and connection/communion aka prayer) but hear me out... prayer helps but here are at least 15 more useful things we could be doing to help!

See separate post with an easy 5-minute mantra meditation & relief prayer for natural disasters.

Part 1: Get your own s*#t together

1. GO bag
   Pack your own "go bag" with essential survival supplies that you could grab at a moment's notice, so that when disaster strikes in your area, you can be helping others (rather than needing to be rescued yourself)!
2. STAY bin
   Prepare a "stay bin" in case you need to stay in one place without water or power until help arrives.
   
   In Māui last week, the people who escaped would have been better off if they had had a "go bag" sitting in the back of their truck... and the people who survived but were isolated would have been better off if they had a "stay bin" with their essentials.
   
   In Hawai'i since we're prone to fires, floods, and tsunamis, packing your "go bag" in a bright colored drybag backpack would be smart, since it could also be used as a flotation device in case you're swept out to sea or need to jump in the ocean to avoid fire, like dozens of Māui folks did.
   
   Especially if you're in a tsunami zone, or a flash flood drainage area, earthquake prone area, or in the dry leeward side, you may not have much warning!
3. Get training to help others. Take a CPR, lifeguarding, or search & rescue course. Our dear friend Michele on Māui inspired me to apply for the search and rescue operations team. We're both able bodied and fit, and we'd love to be helping in every way we can!
   
   Sure, we can also lead chant experiences to create a safe space for prayer, healing, and community... but there'll be plenty of time to train people in powerful sound healing yoga practices to help with trauma recovery later. While people are still missing and buildings are still smouldering, I'd rather be actively helping in the emergency. I'll leave the praying to the folks who are unable to help physically. Mahalo!

Part 2: Invest in Your Local Community

1. Knowing your neighbors is key. Why not throw an "Post-Apocalypse Prep BBQ" and discuss who has which resources, so you can hui up and have a plan for when things get rough? It would reduce organization time and get things done faster. One of the most tragic things about a disaster is the response lag time... which is largely preventable. As individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities, we can take it upon ourselves to make a plan in case government response is slower than we'd like it to be.
2. If you're involved in a group (a sports club, choir, workplace, etc.), rally the members to take time to discuss resources and make a plan in advance.

Part 3: Be Vocal about Policy Priorities! Vote & Donate if you can

1. Donate to Hawaii Disaster Relief Foundation (HDRF): Extend a helping hand by supporting HDRF, a local organization committed to disaster preparedness and swift response. URL: www.hawaiidisasterrelief.org/donate

2. Volunteer with Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA): Get involved in KUA's community-driven initiatives to build resilience against climate disasters. URL: www.kuaaina.org/volunteer

3. Advocate for Climate Policy with 350 Hawaii: Join 350 Hawaii's advocacy efforts for climate policies that safeguard the islands from future disasters. URL: www.350hawaii.org/get-involved

4. Support Local Businesses via Hawaii Community Lending: Invest in local businesses impacted by climate disasters, promoting recovery and resilience. URL: www.hiclending.org/support-local

5. Educate and Mobilize with Hawaii Climate Warriors: Amplify climate awareness through Hawaii Climate Warriors, sparking collective action. URL: www.hiclimatewarriors.org/act-now

6. Provide Shelter through Aloha United Way: Extend your aloha spirit by contributing to Aloha United Way's shelter initiatives. URL: www.auw.org/donate

7. Donate Supplies to Hawaii Foodbank: Support disaster victims by providing essential supplies through Hawaii Foodbank. URL: www.hawaiifoodbank.org/give-help

8. Engage in Reforestation with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii: Help restore Hawaii's ecosystems and prevent climate-related disasters by participating in reforestation efforts. URL: www.sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org/volunteer

9. Join Surfrider Foundation – Oahu Chapter for Beach Cleanup: Contribute to disaster resilience by volunteering for Surfrider Foundation's beach cleanup events. URL: www.surfrider.org/volunteer

10. Support Malama Kauai's Community Resilience Programs: Stand with Malama Kauai in promoting sustainability and disaster response in vulnerable communities. URL: www.malamakauai.org/donate

Conclusion: Hawaii's climate disaster victims deserve more than just prayers; they need our collective action. By engaging with local organizations, advocating for policy change, donating, and volunteering, we can make a real impact in supporting those affected by climate disasters. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Hawaii for generations to come!

Now, back to the prayer part... if nourishment to your nervous system is what you need, we've got a Mantra Sound Bath playlist on Youtube you could enjoy!

If you'd like to RSVP to be there LIVE for the next one, we will be tailoring it especially for disaster-relief communities. Self-care is essential, if we wish to be our best to serve others in their times of need.

Sign up at https://www.heartofsound.in/yogaofsound_registration and you'll get on our email list to hear about the monthly free global online chant sessions.