Hurricane Lala Recovery
Howzit everyone,
This is Pastor Jared from Overflow Church Kohala. As many of you know, Hurricane Lala passed the southern tip of the Big Island on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The District of Ka’u has been significantly impacted by severe flooding, collapsed roads, and even homes being swept away. While Kohala is on the north side, more than a hundred miles away from the south side of the Big Island, we felt the effects of the hurricane as well. Specifically, our church property sustained damage to the parsonage, where my family and I live, and to the garage/storage building. Portions of the roof from both structures were blown off during the hurricane’s strong winds. After the roof was blown off the parsonage, rain came in, causing parts of the ceiling to collapse, and flooded two bedrooms and the bathroom. With damage to the electrical wiring and mold already growing in those rooms the next day, the parsonage was not safe for myself or my family, and as such we had to move out. In order to continue to serve our church and community we prayed and asked God to provide a place for myself, my wife, and four children (ages 17, 16, 12, and 6). Praise God, He has provided a place for us to stay temporarily. But this place we are at, as incredible as it is, is just temporary.
As such, we are asking for help in rebuilding the parsonage at Overflow Church Kohala, so that we can move back in as soon as possible and continue to be a part of the work God is doing here in Kohala. We have reached out to various contractors to give us estimates of the work needed to be done, the cost associated with that, and when they are able to come and give us a clearer picture we will update you all. But in the meantime, we are trying to raise $200,000 to repair both the parsonage and garage/storage area.
If you would like to give to the project, please click on the link below.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/overflow-church-kohala-hurricane-lala-recovery
During the storm and in the following days after, I was discouraged and weak. While people came to help us move our stuff out or bring us food, one friend asked me, “What is your commitment here?” And I think she asked that in the most caring way possible. Why stay here when I could easily move my family to Kona, where my wife’s parents live? Why stay here when I could easily go back to Oahu, where my folks live? And as I looked at the house with no roof, I felt God ask me, “Would you rather have a home but not have Me? Or would you rather have no home, but have Me?” And it made me think. I put my confidence in my home and my ability to do the work, my ability to serve…and If I have those things, then I could probably continue to do it for a long time. But now that our home is compromised, if I had to choose, would I want a home or would I want God, what would my decision be? Of course, I want God. But that is a lot harder to say when you have no home to shelter your wife and kids…because having a safe place for your family means so much. But, of course we want God because we know He can make a way. We know He IS making a way. Of course, we want God because no matter the cost, it is worth it for the Kingdom of God to come here. It’s just sometimes we can’t see Him making the way and that’s hard. But I guess that’s what faith is. Trust when you can’t see it.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. If you are not able to give, you can still share our need and that would be awesome too. If you have any questions please reach out to us. We’d love to talk.
God bless, fam. Love you, all.
Pastor Jared