Meet Gemma's Family

(Pictured: Gemma, top left, with her family, including her 8-month old grandson)

Merlita "Gemma" Topinio works in both Housekeeping and Utilities, first joining Napili Surf 9 years ago. Always with a joyful heart, she can often be seen humming, singing, and playfully teasing other staff as she diligently works.  

Gemma and her family are deeply bonded and care for one another in every way, with four generations of her family living together under one roof.  Her and her parents often spent time together working on the beautiful garden outside their home, years worth of their work visible from the street by the Wahikuli Shell gas station. Gemma spends her days off from work taking care of her grandchildren so that her kids and their partners can work, all part of the cohesive system of caring for one another and supporting their family together. 

The night of the fires, Gemma and her family arrived to Napili Surf at 10:00pm with 11 people piled into three cars seeking refuge. They arrived with Gemma's 8-month old grandson as well as her elderly parents with every member of the family worn and still shaken from having just fled from the flames knowing their home was destroyed behind them. Their beautiful garden and the house they had filled with countless memories together is gone. 

Gemma and all of her family are continuing to stay at Napili Surf, all them so grateful for the refuge with no other place to go. Gemma's son, who serves in the Army National Guard, was called to duty guarding the morgue and receiving the recovered remains of all those that perished in the fires, all of it a painful reminder of how much their family has lost from this disaster as well as how grateful they are to that their bustling family survived and have a new day to make memories together.

To help Gemma and her amazing family, please Donate & Share: 

DONATE   Every donation makes a difference in the lives of these families. 

SHARE   Help spread the word and share their story with your community.