Severe flooding has impacted the North Shore— Families in our St. Michael community and Sts Peter and Paul Mission need our help
Aloha mai kākou,
Over the past week, Oʻahu has experienced several days of intense rainfall from a persistent Kona Low storm systems, bringing repeated rounds of heavy rain across the island.
As the ground became saturated and waterways overwhelmed, continued rainfall led to severe flooding across the North Shore, especially in Waialua and Haleʻiwa. Homes were flooded, cars immersed under water, roads were closed, and families were forced to evacuate.
The situation intensified as the Wahiawā reservoir (Lake Wilson) reached critical levels, raising real concern over potential overflow and catastrophic downstream flooding. Out of an abundance of caution, evacuations were ordered across parts of the North Shore, displacing members of our local community.
Now that conditions have begun to stabilize, the reality is clear: many families are facing significant damage and need support.
Over the past week, Oʻahu has experienced several days of intense rainfall from a persistent Kona Low storm systems, bringing repeated rounds of heavy rain across the island.
As the ground became saturated and waterways overwhelmed, continued rainfall led to severe flooding across the North Shore, especially in Waialua and Haleʻiwa. Homes were flooded, cars immersed under water, roads were closed, and families were forced to evacuate.
The situation intensified as the Wahiawā reservoir (Lake Wilson) reached critical levels, raising real concern over potential overflow and catastrophic downstream flooding. Out of an abundance of caution, evacuations were ordered across parts of the North Shore, displacing members of our local community.
Now that conditions have begun to stabilize, the reality is clear: many families are facing significant damage and need support.
EPIC Flood Relief Initiative – Oʻahu
In response, EPIC Ministry is mobilizing to support:
St. Michael Knights of Columbus Council #16741, who know the community well and are actively identifying those most in need.
See the Situation (Video Coverage)These videos give a clear look at the severity of the flooding on the North Shore:
- St. Michael Parish (Waialua)
- Sts. Peter and Paul Mission Community
- Families in the broader Waialua community who come to the Church for assistance
St. Michael Knights of Columbus Council #16741, who know the community well and are actively identifying those most in need.
See the Situation (Video Coverage)These videos give a clear look at the severity of the flooding on the North Shore:
- Hawaii Civil Beat – https://youtube.com/shorts/xJFCUMLaLOc?si=BSuKUuAmdLCdVG2R
- Island News KITV – https://youtu.be/grb1R3-AGd4?si=v_qpL_sWYpZpiCq_
- National Coverage – https://youtu.be/OnWDyAk8smA?si=n0LMvnquob6OON5K
How You Can Help (Immediate Needs
1. Monetary Donations
Your donation will go directly toward:
Your donation will go directly toward:
- Emergency assistance for the immediate needs of affected families
- Cleanup and recovery support
- Other Immediate needs identified by the parish and mission community
2. Volunteer for Cleanup EffortsWe are building a team of adult volunteers ready to assist with:
- Cleaning flooded homes
- Assisting with damaged businesses
- General recovery efforts on the North Shore
Huakaʻi in Action – A Model for What Comes Next
Even before the North Shore evacuations, our community had already begun to respond.
After the first round of heavy rainfall, a call went out through the Huakaʻi Project (A joint project of EPIC Ministry and the Diocesan Office of Evangelization) to assist a kūpuna whose home had flooded on the Windward side.
Within hours, our community mobilized.
Over the course of two days, nearly 20 young adults stepped in to serve—removing damaged furniture, salvaging what they could, cleaning the home, and helping secure it for the future.
This is exactly what the Huakaʻi Project is about:
Not just talking about service—but responding when the need is real and right in front of us.
And now, that same call is before us again—this time on a larger scale.
After the first round of heavy rainfall, a call went out through the Huakaʻi Project (A joint project of EPIC Ministry and the Diocesan Office of Evangelization) to assist a kūpuna whose home had flooded on the Windward side.
Within hours, our community mobilized.
Over the course of two days, nearly 20 young adults stepped in to serve—removing damaged furniture, salvaging what they could, cleaning the home, and helping secure it for the future.
This is exactly what the Huakaʻi Project is about:
Not just talking about service—but responding when the need is real and right in front of us.
And now, that same call is before us again—this time on a larger scale.
Moving Forward
As we saw during the Maui recovery efforts, the most effective response is:
We will continue to provide updates as this initiative develops.
- Local
- Relational
- Well-coordinated
We will continue to provide updates as this initiative develops.
A Call to Prayer
We ask you to please keep the people of the North Shore in your prayers—especially those who have experienced flooding, evacuation, displacement, and uncertainty in these past days.
May we respond with generosity, faith, and a spirit of service, becoming instruments of Christ’s mercy for those in need.
May we respond with generosity, faith, and a spirit of service, becoming instruments of Christ’s mercy for those in need.
Sign up below and we'll reach out with service opportunities based on your availability.
Volunteers will:
Volunteers will:
- Help clean out flooded homes
- Remove debris and damaged items
- Support families as they recover