Whittier Tech Raises More Than $2,000 to Help Hawaii School Affected by 2023 Wildfires

A zoom call between Whittier Tech and Lahainaluna High School students. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)

Whittier Tech students raised more than $2,000 to purchase scrub sets for a Hawaii school affected by the state's 2023 wildfires, and students there responded with a thank you song in the Hawaiian language.

Whittier Tech and Lahainaluna High School -- the oldest school west of the Rocky Mountains -- formed a partnership after the state's devastating wildfires in August 2023. Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch worked for two years at the Hawaii school.

Lahainaluna students were displaced by the wildfires and lost their belongings, including the scrub sets needed for their studies.

The fundraising efforts started during a fall meeting of the School Advisory Board.  Whittier Tech junior Natalie Delano of Haverhill said, "Many students on the island are unable to replace things we take for granted living on the mainland. As a Health Assisting student, I personally know how important it is to have access to scrub uniforms. Scrubs keep things such as cross-contamination to a minimum and keep medical professionals as well as patients safe."

Students undertaking the Health Careers pathway at Lahainaluna High School. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)

Organized as a SkillsUSA Project titled, "Support a Healthcare Worker," the efforts involved a bulletin board in the school, as well as posts on social media appealing to the wider community.

In total, $2,100 was raised from sources including staff, parents, and businesses. 

Superintendent Lynch said, "I couldn't be more proud of our students. They demonstrated not only remarkable initiative, but great care and compassion for their colleagues on the other side of the country. Having worked at Lahainaluna High School many years ago, I can say that -- notwithstanding the distance -- the ties that bind our two schools are many and strong."

The scrub sets provided to Lahainaluna High School were also embroidered with the word "Lokahi," meaning unity and agreement: demonstrating a shared commitment to working together.

The Lahainaluna High School students expressed thanks to their new Boston friends during a recent Zoom call where they serenaded Whittier Tech students with a rendition of "O Kou Aloha," a thank you song in the Hawaiian language.

A bulletin board at Whitter Tech promoting the SkillsUSA project and fundraising initiative. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)

A scrub set embroidered with the word, "Lokahi," meaning unity and agreement in the Hawaiian language. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)

A video call between Whittier Tech and Lahainaluna High School students. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)