EP2: Built To Burn: Feminist Disaster Response in Lahaina and a World On Fire

Host Khara Jabola-Carolus looks at the wildfires in Lahaina to show mainstream U.S. environmental disaster and humanitarian crisis response without a feminist analysis leaves women’s rights in ruins—and this is by design. Guests Kaniela Ing and Nadine Ortega discuss the role of feminist organizing  after the Lahaina wildfires to disrupt disaster capitalism and capture the moment’s unity to build community autonomy and power. The episode illustrates both the tragedy and opportunity within climate and environmental crises—how patriarchal systems are at their most vulnerable when people are at their most vulnerable, and how disaster-impacted communities can implement feminist solutions that will challenge entrenched systems of inequality to prevent catastrophe. 

 

Kaniela Ing is the National Director of the Green New Deal Network and co-founder of Our Hawaii-- a movement to create a Hawai'i that puts kama'āina and kānaka maoli — not big money interests — first. He is a proud feminist and Native Hawaiian from Maui, which he represented at the Hawai'i State Legislature for over half a decade. 

 

Nadina Ortega is the founder and executive director of Tagnawa, an environmental justice organization dedicated to strengthening Filipino systems of care for land and immigrants in response to the 2023 Lahaina fires. She spends part of her time as a lecturer at the Ilokano Language and Literature Program at the University of Hawaii Manoa. Nadine is also a veteran feminist organizer who has played a major role in women's movement-building in Hawai'i. 

 

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Calls to action/who to support: 

• Petition: Stand with Lahaina: Convert Short-Term Rentals to Long-Term Housing 
• Donate to Tagnawa through https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/donate/. Make sure to note Tagnawa when you give! 
• Follow Tagnawa on Instagram 
• Supporting Lahaina: A Working Resource of Relief Efforts 

 

Further reading: 

• Article - A Dispatch From the Heart of Lahaina: Relief Is Not Enough 
• Article - The Climate Crisis and Colonialism Destroyed My Maui Home. Where We Must Go From Here 
• Article - The Feminist Humanitarian Response: a new approach to dismantle the humanitarian-industrial complex 
• Report - Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs: A Feminist Economic Recovery Plan for COVID-19 
• Report - Pathways to Building Back Better: Advancing Feminist Policies in COVID-19 Response and Recovery  

This show was created, executive produced, and written by Khara Jabola-Carolus and Maggie Hellis. Producing, sound design, and mixing by Elizabeth Nakano. Narrative editing and development by Arwen Nicks. Special research and production by Erica Fotheringham. Cover art by Maggie Hellis.