Our Story
Read about our roots, our growth, and our steadfast commitment to community
We began with the Maui wildfires.
Heartbroken by the August 8, 2023 wildfires on Maui, we felt called to help.
Maui people helping Maui people.
On August 8-9, 2023, the historic town of Lāhaina on Maui suffered a devastating fire that ranks among the deadliest in U.S. history. A confluence of environmental and geographic factors, combined with preparedness and response conditions, enabled the fire to rapidly intensify resulting in 102 confirmed fatalities, widespread destruction of over 3,000 structures including homes and businesses, and catastrophic impacts on the community. During those same days, the town of Kula also experienced a fire that destroyed 19 homes. The upcountry blaze burned hundreds of acres and transformed much of Haleakalā’s landscape.
PONO Legal was created out of the anticipated need for streamlined and accessible legal services for Maui’s fire-impacted community members. “PONO” is an acronym that stands for Pro Bono Organization for Native ʻOhana. We are a Maui-based non-profit legal firm that works to connect those impacted with trustworthy legal experts and other service providers on a pro bono (free of charge) basis. We pride ourselves in our local lines of communication which enable us to spread important information, publicize events and opportunities, and build trust in the community.
Our Mission
To provide free legal services, information, and support for Hawai’i residents impacted by natural disasters and other public emergencies – by listening, connecting individuals and families with supportive resources, and advocating for those in need of legal assistance.
Our Vision
A Hawaiʻi where legal response after a disaster is free, coordinated among trusted community partners, culturally informed, and accessible to every disaster impacted resident – regardless of income, language, or background.
Listen.
Learn.
Pivot.
Listen. Learn. Pivot.
Community lawyering grounded in Hawaiian values.
At PONO Legal, we engage in a practice of trauma-informed and culturally responsive community lawyering. Our work involves collaborative, community-based approaches to legal services, integrating lawyers into the people and places they serve and empowering community members throughout the legal process so they can take the next steps themselves.
Pono in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi means, among many other things, “righteousness” or “to do what is right.” Similarly, it means to achieve excellence, prosperity, and a state of equity - living in balance with ourselves, those around us, and the world that sustains us. To be pono is to be virtuous and true to one’s nature. This value guides every decision that PONO Legal makes.
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We connect and serve with warmth, empathy, and authentic care.
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We believe legal help after a disaster should be free, culturally responsive, and easy to access.
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We prioritize those most marginalized, including low-income and minority families.
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We are Hawaiʻi people helping Hawaiʻi people — rooted in local trust.
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We protect the land, culture, and legal rights of our community.
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We take a collaborative approach with clients, community groups, decision-makers and legal professionals, drawing from diverse expertise.
Moving forward together.
Disaster law is one of the most unique and emerging legal fields in Hawaiʻi and across the United States, and it is also an important part of Hawaiʻi’s response to climate change. The issues involved are urgent, important, and complex.
Since the 2023 Maui wildfires, Hawaiʻi has continued to experience a rise in natural disasters, including the March 2026 Kona Storms and Hurricane Lala the following August, underscoring the critical importance of our work and continued presence on Maui and throughout the state.
What began as a response to the legal needs arising from the Maui wildfires has evolved into a broader commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities impacted by disasters across Hawaiʻi. As new disasters have emerged, it has become increasingly clear that the legal challenges people face during recovery are not limited to a single event. From housing and insurance issues to disaster assistance appeals and long-term recovery concerns, access to legal support remains an essential part of rebuilding and resilience.