Michael Fujimoto of Hawaii Kai Church was awarded the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Distinguished Service Award at the January Disaster Relief Roundtable in Newark, Delaware. The award was presented to Michael by Coy Webb, Crisis Response Director, SEND Relief. Michael was honored for his hard work and commitment throughout the long Maui Wildfire response. The award is presented to those individuals who went beyond the call of duty and distinguished themselves during a disaster response.

During the HPBC DR deployment, Michael led the effort to establish the process and procedure for running the Haggai International Institute, where displaced citizens, Red Cross, off-island Fire and Police, National Guard, and Disaster Relief volunteers were housed. He demonstrated creative problem-solving skills through highly complex housing issues. He deployed four times and spent months in the field supporting this work.

He was truly instrumental in the success of this deployment and provided critical support so that the people of Lahaina could be served. Michael was the first volunteer to arrive with the Convention Directors. After his initial two-week deployment, he returned numerous times, including the final two weeks, to help close the operation. His commitment to bring help, hope, and healing was demonstrated in a very practical way.