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5 Ways Kids Hurt Too Hawaii Is Leading Maui's Long-Term Mental Health Recovery For Keiki

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The devastating long-term impact of the Maui wildfires extends far beyond the physical landscape, settling deeply into the emotional and psychological well-being of the island’s youngest residents, or keiki. As of late December 2025, the nonprofit organization Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi (KHTH) remains on the front lines, not just providing immediate crisis relief, but establishing a critical, long-term infrastructure of support to help children and young adults process profound grief and trauma. Their work, which has recently expanded to key areas like Lahaina and Wailuku, is a vital lifeline in a community still grappling with displacement, loss, and the mental health crisis that follows catastrophe.

The need for specialized services on Maui is immense. While initial relief efforts focused on housing and food, the invisible wounds of trauma continue to mount. KHTH’s strategy focuses on creating safe, therapeutic spaces that honor Hawaiian values and provide consistent, reliable care, ensuring that children who have lost homes, schools, and loved ones have the tools to heal and rebuild their sense of safety and community.

Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi: Organizational Profile and Mission

In the absence of a single individual's biography, understanding the history and mission of Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi is essential to grasp the depth of their current work on Maui. This organization has been a foundational pillar of mental health support in the state for over two decades.

  • Founding Year: Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi began its work in 2001, dedicated to addressing the often-overlooked emotional needs of children experiencing significant loss or trauma.
  • Name Origin: The organization's name, "Kids Hurt Too," was actually chosen by a group of children in 2006, reflecting the core principle that children’s grief and trauma are valid and require dedicated attention.
  • Mission: KHTH's mission is to strengthen community connections by bringing together grieving and traumatized children, teens, and their caregivers. They provide a free and safe place for children and youth, ages 3–19, as well as crucial support for their adult caregivers.
  • Core Philosophy: Their approach is rooted in therapeutic peer support and mentoring, specifically designed for youth affected by grief and trauma, and is delivered with an emphasis on incorporating traditional Hawaiian values.
  • Maui Leadership: The on-the-ground efforts in the Maui recovery are spearheaded by dedicated professionals, including Maui Program Director Marissa Meerians.

This commitment to long-term, specialized care positioned KHTH as an indispensable resource when the August 2023 wildfires shattered the Lahaina community, and the organization has since scaled its operations to meet the unprecedented demand for mental health services.

The Critical Need for Trauma-Informed Care on Maui

The scale of the mental health challenge on Maui, especially for children, is staggering. The wildfires created a complex web of trauma, grief, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that require specialized, consistent intervention.

The Silent Crisis: Displacement, Loss, and Lingering Trauma

Many of Lahaina’s youngest residents continue to face chronic instability nearly two years after the disaster. The trauma is not a single event; it is an ongoing state of displacement, housing insecurity, and the constant reminder of loss. The Hawaii Department of Education has estimated that more than a third of Maui students have either lost a family member, sustained a serious injury, or had a parent lose their job—all factors that contribute to high ACEs scores and long-term mental health challenges.

This environment of chronic stress severely impacts a child's development, leading to issues like anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating in school, and behavioral problems. The traditional Hawaiian concept of ʻohana (family) and community was fractured, making the work of KHTH to rebuild those connections through peer support groups more vital than ever.

5 Ways Kids Hurt Too Hawaii is Delivering Healing to Maui's Keiki

Kids Hurt Too Hawaii's response to the Maui crisis is a model for disaster mental health recovery. Their strategy is multifaceted, ensuring that support is accessible, culturally relevant, and sustained over the long haul. Here are five key ways they are making a difference:

1. Strategic Expansion of Peer Support Groups to Lahaina and Wailuku

In a major update as of early 2025, KHTH announced the expansion of their monthly peer support groups to both Lahaina and Wailuku. This strategic move ensures that services are physically accessible to the most impacted communities. These groups are the cornerstone of their work, providing a non-clinical environment where children realize they are not alone in their experiences. The sessions are carefully structured to facilitate therapeutic play and guided discussion, allowing keiki to express emotions that they may not have the language for.

2. Deployment of the Mobile Grief and Trauma Unit

To overcome logistical barriers created by displacement and housing instability, KHTH has deployed a Mobile Grief and Trauma Unit. This unit allows the organization to bring their services directly to families in temporary housing, community centers, and other remote locations. This flexibility is crucial in the immediate aftermath and ongoing recovery, ensuring that essential grief counseling and trauma support are not dependent on a family’s ability to travel or secure transportation.

3. Implementing School-Based Programs (HDOE Partnership)

Recognizing that schools are a critical point of contact and stability for children, KHTH integrates its programs directly into the educational system. Their School-Based Program follows the Hawaii Department of Education (HDOE) public school calendar, offering consistent, weekly therapeutic peer support groups. By embedding their services in schools, they normalize the process of seeking help and reach students who might otherwise fall through the cracks of community services.

4. Comprehensive Care for Caregivers and Families

KHTH understands that a child’s healing is inextricably linked to the well-being of their caregivers. The organization provides essential support and resources for parents and guardians who are themselves dealing with the trauma of loss, financial stress, and displacement. By strengthening the adults in a child's life, they create a more stable and nurturing home environment, which is a foundational element of trauma-informed care. The groups for children and caregivers often run concurrently, ensuring the entire family unit is supported.

5. Dedication to Long-Term Mentoring and Community Building

Unlike short-term crisis intervention, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi is committed to long-term healing. Their programs include mentoring, where older youth or trained adults provide consistent, positive relationships to children who may have lost their primary support systems. Furthermore, their focus on community building activities helps to re-establish the social fabric that was torn apart by the disaster, fostering a sense of collective resilience and hope for the future of Maui.

How to Access Support or Get Involved

As the recovery effort continues, the need for community involvement and sustained funding remains high. The work of Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi is a testament to the resilience of the Maui community and the power of dedicated, trauma-informed care.

Families on Maui seeking support for children experiencing grief or trauma are encouraged to reach out directly to the organization. The peer support groups offer a vital, free service that can be accessed by registering online or contacting the Maui Program Director, Marissa Meerians, directly. This personalized approach ensures that every child receives the aloha and specialized attention necessary for their unique healing journey.

For those looking to help, supporting organizations like KHTH ensures that the mental health crisis among Maui’s keiki is not forgotten as the island moves through the challenging phases of long-term recovery. Donations and volunteer efforts directly support the expansion of peer support groups, the operation of the Mobile Grief and Trauma Unit, and the continuation of vital school-based programs.

5 Ways Kids Hurt Too Hawaii is Leading Maui's Long-Term Mental Health Recovery for Keiki
kids hurt too hawaii maui
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