1. Our first build

Our first build took place in Maui, Hawai‘i. I can’t fully explain what led us there, but I felt my son Lucas’s spirit guiding me toward building with Habitat for Humanity Maui. Before his passing, Lucas had visited Maui several times and was even considering moving there. After the fires, he and I talked about ways he could help with the rebuilding efforts. Less than two weeks later, my beautiful son passed away.

Not long after, my dad—Lucas’s grandpa—reached out to Habitat for Humanity Maui, and they warmly embraced the idea of a memorial build in Lucas’s honor. One year after his passing, twenty-six of us traveled to Maui and spent four meaningful days building homes in Kula. At the end of our time there, we planted a mango tree to honor Lucas’s life and spirit.

The experience was deeply profound. I could feel Lucas’s presence with us every step of the way—guiding, encouraging, and surrounding us with love. I will forever be grateful to everyone who joined us for that build and for the time we shared together in his memory.

We had a photo board that stayed up throughout the build, filled with pictures of Lucas and moments that captured his spirit. Each morning, our group began the day standing together in a circle, taking part in an activity that helped us connect—not only with one another but also with our shared love for Lucas and what he meant to each of us.

We shared lunch every day with the Habitat crew on site and treated everyone to a special lunch outing one afternoon. On the final day, I placed a lanyard around each person’s neck—a lei-inspired keepsake printed with Lucas’s name and the words Ohana and Full Send Love, Light, and Aloha. I thanked everyone for being part of this experience and for helping carry Lucas’s light forward.