John & Amy Meyer Mission for Maui Fires Disaster Relief

Aloha friends!

Over 20 years ago Amy and I stood on a beach in Oregon and got the download of a lifetime while in prayer regarding Hawaii. Specifically, Lahaina and Maui. Lahaina is the very place that was highlighted to start a training center for entrepreneurship, life skills, the arts, and much more. Since that time we’ve lived on four of the main islands, shed countless tears, had a nervous breakdown, laughed our heads off with locals, embraced many local lives throughout the islands, and have passionately called Hawaii home. We’ve struggled so many times trying to remain in the islands we can’t even tell you. Even down to living in a car for a time.

When it’s in your blood, you know.

Yet, all of the heartache we’ve endured pales in comparison to what many are going through right now. Our hearts have been grieving non stop over the fire disaster on Maui. Like so many other people are around the world. The Aina (land) is such a special place. The people, lavender fields, island birds and island music heals the soul.

Amy and I have been a part of the Hawaii Ohana for years. Like many, we were heart-broken and grieved over the Maui fires. In fact, we still are. We can't shake it. We want to be with our ohana there to be of help in any way we can. We have been in prayer much since they happened and we feel that now is the time.

Some of you know that we have worked as contractors in property management as well, and we were on our way back to Lahaina to manage a vacation rental company from a detour to Oregon when they started. In fact, three days before the fires happened the owner of the company called us and said he had a "Gut feeling" to hold off on the hiring for awhile. (We obviously know why now, but It's a longer story, which you can watch in our video).

As we were praying for ways we could help, we were invited into an opportunity to serve with the Red Cross on Maui. This will greatly help us to serve those who have lost everything. It will also be a stepping stone into paving the way to establish a "Center of Inspiration" in Lahaina to be a source of light for the community. This is something we have carried in our hearts to do for 22 years.

We begin with the Red Cross in Jan. 2024.

We started this fund as a way for anyone who feels the nudge to give to help us with housing needs (As many of you know housing on Maui is a real challenge right now, but not for God) and our vision for Maui in the future.

Many mahalos for your support! We also have Venmo, Cashapp, and Paypal for those who want to give that way as well. You can find those links on our site in the contact us section. www.paddlesup.fun

John & Amy

Paddles Up