Teacher Story
A Teacher's First Steps Back
After losing her classroom and her home in the same week, Malia found a path forward — one morning walk at a time. Her students are watching.
Read MoreA movement for Lahaina's teachers & coaches
Every Step Brings Lahaina Forward
Walk the walk. Track your miles. Invite sponsors. Together, we can provide immediate relief, housing assistance, and long-term stability for the teachers and coaches rebuilding Lahaina's future.
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🎉 We just crossed 1,000 miles together!
The Movement, Live
Miles calculated at 2,500 steps = 1 mile (official conversion)
2,500
steps = 1 mile
Three simple steps. One powerful movement.
How It Works
01
Create Your Walker Profile
Sign up and build your public participant page. Share your story, your connection to Lahaina, and your walking goal. Your profile becomes your fundraising home.
02
Walk & Track Your Miles
Walk anywhere in the world — your neighborhood, a trail, a treadmill. Log steps manually or connect a compatible fitness tracker. Every step counts.
03
Invite Sponsors & Raise Funds
Share your profile link. Supporters can pledge per mile or make flat donations. Watch your collective impact grow with every step you take.
How Will You Help?
Walk for Lahaina
Create a profile, log your miles, and raise funds through sponsorships. Walk from anywhere in the world.
Start WalkingSponsor a Walker
Pledge per mile or make a flat donation to support a walker you know — or discover one who needs their first sponsor.
Sponsor a WalkerForm a Team
Schools, businesses, families, and walking clubs can create team pages and multiply their collective impact.
Start a Team
Lahaina since 2002
Jeff Onderko
Founder, Steps for Lahaina — Lahaina Resident since 2002
The Founding Pledge
"I've walked these streets for over twenty years. Front Street, Sharkpit neighborhood, Breakwall, the Harbor, the Banyan Tree and all of the businesses — this is my home. I'm pledging $5 for every mile I walk through Lahaina and the surrounding area. I'm asking the world to walk with me."
The Pledge: $5 for every verified mile walked through Front Street and surrounding Lahaina areas — usually 2–3 miles per day, 5 days per week, for 12 months and beyond.
Meet the People Moving Lahaina Forward
View All WalkersEverything in One Place
Explore the Movement
Every part of Steps for Lahaina — from how it works to where every dollar goes.
"The buildings are gone. The community is not. We are walking Lahaina forward, one step at a time."
— Steps for Lahaina
Where the Money Goes
100% of net proceeds are dedicated to programs supporting qualifying Lahaina teachers and coaches serving public and private schools.
Rebuilding Grants & Bridge Loans40%
One-time rebuilding grants and low- or no-interest bridge loans for qualifying uninsured or underinsured educators
Housing Assistance (Purchases)20%
Home-purchase assistance for long-term housing stability for qualifying Lahaina educators
Immediate Monthly Supplements15%
Direct monthly support for qualifying teachers and coaches facing financial hardship
Long-Term Reserve10%
Reserved funds for Lahaina's extended rebuilding period
Fund Administration10%
Essential operating costs including platform hosting, accounting, legal compliance, and payment processing overhead
Future Programs5%
Housing, youth, athletic, educational, and emergency-support programs consistent with the mission
Our Commitment to Transparency
Precise language matters to us. Net proceeds means gross contributions minus processing and operating expenses. Loan and mortgage programs are planned and will be clearly labeled until formally approved and launched.
Full Program BreakdownStories from Lahaina
All Stories
Walker Story
Walking from Chicago to Lahaina
David had never been to Maui. But when his daughter's teacher reached out through Steps for Lahaina, he laced up his shoes and hasn't stopped since.
Read More
Team Story
The Kula High School Cross Country Team
Forty-two student athletes. One shared goal. The Kula High cross country team turned their training miles into $4,200 for Lahaina coaches.
Read MoreBuilt on Trust
Full financial reports and governing documents available in our Transparency Center.
$16,840
Gross Contributions
$2,610
Operating Expenses
$14,230
Net Proceeds
14
Educators Supported
Ready to Walk Lahaina Forward?
Every mile matters. Every sponsor helps. Every step is a vote for Lahaina's future.
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