{"id":193017,"date":"2024-03-05T13:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T23:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=193017"},"modified":"2024-03-06T10:32:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T20:32:36","slug":"manoa-basic-needs-flores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/03\/05\/manoa-basic-needs-flores\/","title":{"rendered":"东精影业<\/abbr> M\u0101noa program helps student who survived Lahaina wildfire graduate"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Flores lost his home during the August 8 Maui wildfires.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John Bernard Flores was one semester away from earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa when an unimaginable tragedy struck. Less than two weeks before the first day of his last semester, Flores and his family narrowly escaped the August 8 wildfire that destroyed his hometown of Lahaina. Flores says the fire started just blocks from his home and burnt his house to the ground.<\/p>\n

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John Bernard Flores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We were only able to grab ourselves and evacuate,” said Flores. “There were a lot of electricity posts down and the majority of the main roads were blocked. That\u2019s why a lot of people didn\u2019t make it and jumped into the water, because all people were rushing to evacuate, and [it was just] a single road down to Lahainaluna road. I am just happy that all of my family members are safe.”<\/p>\n

Flores had been working hard to earn his college degree after emigrating from the Philippines to Maui during his senior year of high school. After the fire, the future was uncertain and his last semester was the last thing on his mind.<\/p>\n

“I was worried, having thoughts like, ‘Where are we going to stay?’ ‘How are we going to get up from this?’ ‘Should we just go back to the Philippines?,’” said Flores. “I wasn\u2019t thinking of school at all, but at the same time, I wanted to finish what I started with my education.”<\/p>\n

Reaching out with support<\/h2>\n
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Flores’ view as he evacuated with his family.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Within days of the worst natural disaster in state history, the 东精影业<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Division of Student Success (DSS<\/abbr>) began reaching out to more than 550 students from Maui to offer immediate assistance. Nearly 80 of those students were from Lahaina.<\/p>\n

“It was a week before move-in and classes started, so we knew we had to reach out quickly,” explained Student Success Operations Manager Wiliama Sanchez. “Students were emailed, called and texted by ‘Bow, the Rainbow Warrior AI<\/abbr> Chatbot<\/a>, to help check in on students.”<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how Flores found out about the 东精影业<\/abbr> Student Basic Needs program<\/a> and was able to quickly receive financial assistance and other necessities including a laptop donated from Webflow, Inc<\/abbr>.<\/a>, after losing his in the fire. He graduated with a bachelor of science in kinesiology health and exercise science in fall 2023.<\/p>\n

“I am very lucky that this program is here to help students in need who have been affected by a tragedy,” Flores added. “I hope this program is going to continue for a long run, because it can help and change people’s lives in small or big ways. I really appreciate them all.”<\/p>\n

As of spring 2024, 东精影业<\/abbr> M\u0101noa is still assisting 128 Maui students impacted by the wildfires. When students face basic need insecurity, their academic performance and overall well-being can be negatively impacted, according to Theresa Crichfield, associate vice provost for student success and 东精影业<\/abbr> M\u0101noa dean of students.<\/p>\n