About Aloha Ranch

& Our Hotels To Hales Campaign

About Aloha Ranch

& Our Hotels To Hales Campaign

Our Story

Aloha Ranch was founded with a deep commitment to serving the souseless and vulnerable populations in West Maui. Our founder, Denise “Neesey” Nussbaum has dedicated her life to working with marginalized communities. After a distinguished career as a Professor of Sociology and Diversity Leader in California, Dr. Nussbaum “retired” to Maui and immediately saw the urgent needs of the local community.

In 2019, Neesey and a small group of West Maui residents came together to create Aloha Ranch, an organization focused on helping families and individuals experiencing houselessness. Over the years, our team has worked side-by-side with local organizations, volunteers, and donors to provide essential services and support to our local ohana in need.

The devastating fires on August 8, 2023 have greatly increased the urgency of our mission. Hundreds of families, thousands of people, have lost their homes and are in need of basic necessities as they work to rebuild their lives. Aloha Ranch has endeavored to meet this challenge with our “Hotels to Hales” campaign, through which we are raising funds and collecting new donated items to support the 450 families moving into the Tiny Home Village community in Wahikuli, Lahaina.

Our Story

Aloha Ranch was founded with a deep commitment to serving the houseless and vulnerable populations in West Maui. Our founder, Denise “Neesey” Nussbaum, Ph.D., has dedicated her life to working with marginalized communities. After a distinguished career as a Professor of Sociology and diversity leader in California, she retired to Maui and immediately saw the urgent needs of the local community.

In 2019, Denise and a small group of West Maui residents came together to create Aloha Ranch, an organization focused on helping families and individuals experiencing houselessness. Over the past few years, we have worked side by side with local organizations, volunteers, and donors to provide essential services and support to those in need.

The devastating fires in Lahaina in August 2023 have only increased the urgency of our mission. Hundreds of families have lost their homes and are in need of basic necessities as they work to rebuild their lives. Aloha Ranch has stepped up to meet this challenge with the Hotels to Hales Campaign, where we are raising funds and collecting donated items to support 450 families moving into Tiny Home Village community in Wahikuli.

Our Mission

At Aloha Ranch, our mission is simple but powerful:

To provide support, hope, and essential resources to the houseless and vulnerable individuals and families of Lahaina.

We believe that by working together, we can uplift our community and ensure that no one is left behind. The spirit of aloha guides everything we do, from collecting donations to delivering household items and working directly with families in need. Our approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference. We recognize that the journey to stability and security can be challenging, which is why we don’t just provide immediate assistance—we build connections that foster lasting change. By actively listening to the needs of our community members, we tailor our support to provide more than just material aid; we offer encouragement, empowerment, and a pathway to a brighter future.

Every contribution, whether big or small, plays a crucial role in transforming lives. Whether it's through organizing donation drives, connecting with local partners, or offering a helping hand to those who need it most, we aim to be a consistent source of hope and solidarity. Our vision extends beyond just meeting basic needs; it is about nurturing a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and where the spirit of aloha continues to flourish in every action we take.

Together, with compassion as our guide, we are committed to lifting each other up and building a more resilient, caring, and connected Lahaina.

Our Mission

At Aloha Ranch, our mission is

simple but powerful: To provide support, hope, and essential resources to the houseless and vulnerable individuals and families of Lahaina.

We believe that by working together, we can uplift our community and ensure that no one is left behind. The spirit of aloha guides everything we do, from collecting donations to delivering household items and working directly with families in need. Our approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference. We recognize that the journey to stability and security can be challenging, which is why we don’t just provide immediate assistance—we build connections that foster lasting change. By actively listening to the needs of our community members, we tailor our support to provide more than just material aid; we offer encouragement, empowerment, and a pathway to a brighter future.

Every contribution, whether big or small, plays a crucial role in transforming lives. Whether it's through organizing donation drives, connecting with local partners, or offering a helping hand to those who need it most, we aim to be a consistent source of hope and solidarity. Our vision extends beyond just meeting basic needs; it is about nurturing a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and where the spirit of aloha continues to flourish in every action we take.

Together, with compassion as our guide, we are committed to lifting each other up and building a more resilient, caring, and connected Lahaina.

Our Work

Our efforts are centered around providing practical support to those most in need.

Hotels to Hales Campaign: Our current focus is to help families displaced by the Lahaina fires by supplying essential household items like bedding, kitchenware, and hygiene kits, as well as outdoor community elements like BBQs, shade sails, picnic benches, outdoor games, etc.

Community Outreach: We work closely with other local charities and organizations to offer a network of support for the houseless community, ensuring they have access to food, shelter, and long-term solutions.

Meet the Aloha Ranch Team

At Aloha Ranch, our dedicated team works tirelessly to bring hope and support to the families of Lahaina. Together with our volunteers, we are committed to making a positive impact on our community, guided by the spirit of aloha.

Denise “Neesey” Nussbaum, Ph.D

Founder & Director

With over 40 years of experience working with marginalized populations, Denise leads Aloha Ranch with compassion and dedication. Her vision drives the mission to help houseless families rebuild their lives.

Jelena Dackovic

Outreach Director

Jelena has 20 years of experience working with at-risk and houseless populations and

has been the lead outreach person for Aloha Ranch since 2019.

Nicole Angove

Outreach Coordinator

Nicole ensures that our donation drives and volunteer efforts are organized efficiently, connecting resources with those who need them most.

Stephanie “Daisy” Everett

Program Manager

Daisy manages our community programs, providing hands-on support to families as they transition from temporary housing to permanent solutions.

Our Work

Our efforts are centered around providing practical support to those most in need.

Hotels to Hales Campaign: Our current focus is to help families displaced by the Lahaina fires by supplying essential household items like bedding, kitchenware, and hygiene kits.

Community Outreach: We work closely with other local charities and organizations to offer a network of support for the houseless community, ensuring they have access to food, shelter, and long-term solutions.

Volunteer Initiatives: We believe in the power of people coming together, which is why we regularly host volunteer events and drives to help collect donations and deliver them to families in need.

Meet the Aloha Ranch Team

At Aloha Ranch, our dedicated team works tirelessly to bring hope and support to the families of Lahaina. Together with our volunteers, we are committed to making a positive impact on our community, guided by the spirit of aloha.

Denise “Neesey” Nussbaum, Ph.D

Founder & Director

With over 40 years of experience working with marginalized populations, Denise leads Aloha Ranch with compassion and dedication. Her vision drives the mission to help houseless families rebuild their lives.

Jelena Dackovic

Outreach Director

Jelena has 20 years of experience working with at-risk and houseless populations and

has been the lead outreach person for Aloha Ranch since 2019.

Nicole Angove

Outreach Coordinator

Nicole ensures that our donation drives and volunteer efforts are organized efficiently, connecting resources with those who need them most.

Stephanie “Daisy” Everett

Program Manager

Daisy manages our community programs, providing hands-on support to families as they transition from temporary housing to permanent solutions.

Why We Need Your Help

The work we do at Aloha Ranch is only possible because of the generosity of people like you. The recent fires have devastated our community, and there are more families in need than ever before. Your support helps us provide the basics that these families need to start rebuilding their lives.

How You Can Make a Difference:

Donate:

Your contributions directly help us purchase essential items like bedding, towels, and kitchenware.

Spread the Word:

Help us raise awareness of the work we’re doing by sharing our mission with friends, family, and on social media.

Together, we can help our neighbors in Lahaina find hope and start fresh

Donate Today

FAQS

What is Aloha Ranch?

Aloha Ranch is a nonprofit organization based in Lahaina, Maui, dedicated to serving houseless individuals and families in the community. We provide essential resources, support, and outreach to those in need, helping them transition from temporary shelters to permanent housing solutions.

What is the Hotels to Hales Campaign?

The Hotels to Hales Campaign is our initiative to support 450 families who are moving into the tiny home community after being displaced by the devastating Lahaina fires in August 2023. We are raising funds and collecting household items like bedding, kitchenware, and hygiene supplies to help these families start fresh in their new homes.

How can I donate to Aloha Ranch?

You can donate directly through our website by clicking on the "Donate Today" button, which will take you to our secure donation page. You can also donate new household items by contacting our director, Denise “Neesey” Nussbaum, at [email protected] to arrange delivery.

Can I volunteer with Aloha Ranch?

Yes! We are always looking for passionate volunteers to help us with various tasks, from collecting and delivering donations to assisting with community outreach. Visit our Volunteer page or contact us at [email protected] to learn more about how you can get involved.

How is my donation used?

All donations go directly toward purchasing essential household items for families affected by the Lahaina fires. We use the funds to buy bedding, kitchenware, and hygiene products that are delivered to families moving into the tiny home community.

Who benefits from Aloha Ranch’s services?

Our primary focus is to help houseless individuals and families in Lahaina, a need made even more urgent since the devastating fires in August 2023. Through our Hotels to Hales campaign, families moving into a new tiny home community in Wahikuli, will receive direct support from Aloha Ranch.

How can I stay updated on Aloha Ranch’s efforts?

Follow us on social media for real-time updates and stories from our community.

Are donations to Aloha Ranch tax-deductible?

Yes, as a registered nonprofit organization, donations made to Aloha Ranch are tax-deductible. After making a donation, you will receive a receipt via email for your records.
501(c)3# 87-2128189

How can I contact Aloha Ranch for more information?

You can reach us via email at [email protected] or by phone at [Insert Phone Number]. We’re happy to answer any questions and discuss how you can support our mission.