As part of our long-term recovery efforts, the American Red Cross has partnered with various organizations through grant programs to let the impacted Maui community guide in its disaster response. Each of these specialized partners works to connect the people of Lahaina to means by which they are given a greater measure of control over how their own recovery.

ToolBank USA provides professional-grade building tools to assist in cleaning and rebuilding efforts. The Red Cross is proud to partner with them as they support community groups and volunteers working in Lahaina.

What is your name and title?
Julie Italiano | Director of Marketing, Communications, and Outreach | ToolBank USA

Bill Hess | Director of ToolBank Disaster Services | ToolBank USA

What has the grant from the Red Cross allowed your organization to do?
Thanks to the generous donation from the Red Cross, ToolBank USA and ToolBank Disaster Services (TDS) have been able to deliver tools and resources to Maui and open a warehouse to support rebuilding efforts. Providing the necessary tools to restore the damage caused by the devastating wildfires in Lahaina aligns perfectly with our mission at the ToolBank. This grant has enabled us to fulfill our mission and continue lending tools and equipment at no cost to our disaster relief partners, nonprofits, community groups, and other organizations working to restore the area to its pre-wildfire condition for residents and visitors.

What have been your organization’s biggest successes so far?
So far, our greatest achievement in Maui has been forming partnerships with local long-term recovery groups to ensure our services align with community-led rebuilding priorities. We are proud to collaborate with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), a trusted advocate for Hawai’i’s communities, leading culturally grounded recovery efforts. I believe this success is best summarized by our CEO, Trey Bearden, and Kukui Keahi, Community Care Navigator Lead at CNHA.

“ToolBank exists to support communities in their most vulnerable moments, and our commitment to Maui is unwavering,” said Trey, CEO of ToolBank USA. “With tools on the ground and strong local partnerships in place, we’re here to support the long-term rebuilding of Lahaina and neighboring communities, hand in hand with the people of Maui.”

“Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in community,” said Kukui Keahi, Community Care Navigator Lead at CNHA. “We’re proud to partner with ToolBank Disaster Services as they bring critical resources to empower the hands and hearts doing the work on the ground. This partnership represents a shared commitment to healing with dignity and respect for the people and culture of Maui.”

What does your organization still have planned to accomplish?
ToolBank Disaster Services will continue collaborating with local organizations, leaders, and volunteers throughout the recovery process to ensure tools and support stay available as rebuilding advances. ToolBank remains dedicated to providing our tools and equipment to support long-term recovery efforts on the island, so having the right tools does not become a barrier for those doing the rebuilding. Our local Program Manager in Maui is Kimberly Pinuelas, and she can be reached at maui@toolbank.org.

What have been the most powerful moments or lessons learned while working towards Lahaina’s recovery?
BILL: One of the most powerful moments has been witnessing the strength and unity of the Lahaina community in the face of unimaginable loss. From day one, when ToolBank was on the island and hearing the impact stories from Fire Survivors, neighbors were helping neighbors, and local organizations came together quickly to meet basic needs. The outpouring of mutual aid, both from within Hawaiʻi and across the mainland, has been a reminder that recovery is not just about rebuilding structures — it's about restoring dignity, trust, and hope.

A key lesson we’ve learned is the importance of listening first. The recovery process must be community-led, not imposed. Recovery efforts that focus on cultural sensitivity, local leadership, and the long-term vision of the people most impacted have proven to be the most effective.

Additionally, we’ve learned that flexibility and collaboration are crucial — rigid systems and timelines don’t help communities in crisis. The ability to adapt, partner creatively, and prioritize people over process makes all the difference.

What is the impact your organization has seen in the community?
BILL: From ToolBank’s perspective, the impact we’ve observed in the Lahaina community has been both practical and deeply personal. By offering immediate access to tools and equipment at no cost, we’ve empowered local nonprofits, volunteers, and residents to clear debris, support rebuilding efforts, and regain a sense of control after the devastation.

We’ve seen how something as simple as having the right tools can speed up recovery, reduce burnout for response teams, and enable people to retake ownership of their environment. It’s not just about hammers and wheelbarrows — it’s about hope, momentum, and dignity.

The ToolBank model has also fostered collaboration across organizations, eliminating barriers and costs that often slow down disaster response. By addressing that critical logistical gap, we’ve allowed community groups to focus on what they do best: serving people.

The most rewarding part has been hearing directly from families and local leaders who tell us, “We couldn’t have done this without ToolBank.” That’s what motivates us every day.

How did the wildfire impact you, personally?
JULIE: On a more personal note, I was honored to receive a trip to Maui from the Karen Wellington Foundation at the end of 2022. My best friend and I were both diagnosed with breast cancer within three months of each other and were nominated for this grant during our treatment, surgery, and recovery. The foundation partnered with local supporters who shared their resources, in this case, two condos on the beach in Maui, to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those battling breast cancer. For my friend and me, that trip meant more than just a vacation—it marked the beginning of reclaiming our lives after a year of doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and treatments. We stayed on Maui’s southern shores and visited Lahaina multiple times for brunch, shopping, and a luau. The photos and memories from that trip will last a lifetime, and I was incredibly grateful to see Maui in all its beauty during Christmas that year.

Then, less than a year after our trip, the devastating wildfire happened. I won’t forget watching that news footage and thinking to myself, “We were just standing right there and now it’s all gone.” It truly broke my friend's and my heart to see all those places in our memories destroyed.

How has working with your organization helped you, personally?
JULIE: When I decided to switch my career from a 17-year corporate marketing role, I knew it was the right choice to join the ToolBank USA team because our organization supports people during their most desperate and challenging times. It was very important to me to be part of an organization that helps not only with immediate disaster relief but also with long-term recovery efforts in communities. I was lucky enough to turn my volunteer passion project into my new career. Seeing firsthand the work our tools have done in communities affected by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires has been incredibly inspiring, and I believe we will see the same impact in the Maui and Lahaina communities. ToolBank has personally helped me realize that the work I’m now doing makes a difference in people’s lives. This work is not just a job; it’s something I’m passionate about, and every day I wake up feeling like I’m not going to work but instead spreading the good word and mission of our organization to potential supporters, new corporate partners, communities in need, and future member organizations. It’s truly rewarding.

Mahalo to Bill and Julie from ToolBank USA for sharing their stories and contributing to the work being done to see Lahaina shine again.