Kōkua Binder

The Kōkua Binder is a disaster recovery organization and tracking tool designed to help community affected by disasters organize important information, document their recovery journey, and access the support they need.

The Kōkua Binder is a disaster recovery organization and tracking tool designed to help community affected by disasters organize important information, document their recovery journey, and access the support they need. Developed using a trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach, the binder provides a centralized place to keep records, track applications and services, document losses and damages, and prepare for appointments with recovery agencies and service providers.

Recovering from a disaster often requires managing information from multiple agencies, programs, and organizations over an extended period of time. The Kōkua Binder helps reduce that burden by allowing people to store important documents, record recovery milestones, track assistance received, and identify ongoing needs, all in one convenient location. It is designed to support self-advocacy and help individuals communicate their circumstances without having to repeatedly retell their experience.

Our Vision

We believe that everyone affected by a disaster deserves access to tools that support healing, empowerment, and recovery. The Kōkua Binder helps community stay organized, access available resources, track their progress, and move forward with greater confidence and support throughout the recovery process.

What’s Included

The Kōkua Binder contains dedicated sections for:

- Personal and household information
- Housing and displacement documentation
- Property and vehicle damage records
- Medical and health information
- Household member information
- Recovery contacts and case information
- Financial assistance and benefits tracking
- Home inspections and damage assessments
- Recovery services and support tracking
- Donated goods and supplies documentation
- Recovery expenses and receipt tracking
- Questions, notes, and follow-up planning

Click here to see the Kōkua Binder.

Acknowledgments

The Kōkua Binder was created with aloha by Papa Ola Lōkahi, guided by the experiences and insights of individuals and families affected by disasters, Kula No Nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi, recovery navigators who supported communities impacted by the Lahaina wildfires and Kona Low floods, and numerous community partners working to strengthen disaster recovery efforts throughout Hawaiʻi. The binder was developed to support ʻohana affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies by providing a practical recovery resource.

Available Resources

Download the Kōkua Binder in English, Chuukese, Marshallese, and Spanish
Watch a recorded Kōkua Binder training to learn how to use the binder effectively
Access recovery planning and documentation tools to support their household’s recovery journey

Available Languages

The Kōkua Binder is currently available in:

English
Chuukese
Marshallese
Spanish

If you would like to hear more mana’o about our Kōkua Binders, click here.

Request a Presentation or Training

Interested in learning more about the Kōkua Binder? We are available to provide presentations, trainings, and informational sessions for community groups, service providers, agencies, and organizations.

To schedule a meeting, training, or presentation, please contact: manao@papaolalokahi.org