open hearts. While many families were dealing with flooding and damage in their own homes, they still made time to help others. That’s what made this experience so unforgettable. In the middle of one of the hardest moments the North Shore has faced in recent years, the community came together in the most beautiful way. Every single day leading up to reopening, people showed up to help rebuild the preschool for the keiki. There were long days of hauling out soaked materials, tearing out damaged drywall up to at least 4ft high, tearing out carpets, flooring, classroom sinks, cabinets, installing new drywall, floors, baseboards, repainting walls, reorganizing supplies, building new shelves, and trying to piece everything back together. Parents worked side by side with teachers. Volunteers who had never met before became teammates. Some people came after work. Others gave up weekends with their own families to help restore the school. No one was keeping track of hours. People simply saw a need and stepped in. One of the most emotional parts of the recovery was witnessing the incredible generosity from the community. A GoFundMe created by a preschool parent quickly became a source of hope as donations poured in from families, friends, local supporters, and even complete strangers. Cabinets, shelves, tables, toys, books, classroom supplies, art materials, and other essential items that had been lost in the flood were donated or purchased to help rebuild the classrooms. Every donation, every shared post, every meal dropped off, every prayer, and every helping hand reminded the 142 Hawaii Parent July/August 2026
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