Maria Kamauoha Walker has known Hawaii Police Officer Erhard Outrata and his family for 15 years. Her husband, Dwight, is also a Big Island police officer.
“The Outlatus are a blue-blooded family,” said Walker. “We are connected through law enforcement bonds.”
On the evening of December 30, the Outratus house in Ainaloa was engulfed in fire. Luckily no one was home at the time, but the fire caused $250,000 in damages to him and killed three of his five dogs in the family. The family received the devastating news when their youngest daughter went out to dinner to celebrate her 10th birthday.
When Walker learned about the flames, she jumped into action. She wasn’t the only one. Support for her Autrata family has been pouring in from the community.
Walker put out her plea on the Buy Nothing Big Island Facebook group asking the community to help the Outlata family in their time of need. She asked if anyone would provide basic necessities such as toiletries, hygiene products, and clothes for her four Outlatus daughters. All of her youngest daughter’s birthday gifts were also lost in the fire, so Walker said it would be great if someone wanted to give a girl a birthday present.
Of course, prayers are also very welcome.
“My Ohana and several other Law Enforcement Ohanas have taken it upon themselves to ease the burden on the family by helping collect things. It’s incredibly overwhelming for the family.
Since she posted, people have offered or donated girls’, women’s and men’s clothing, bedding, towels and blankets, women’s shoes, toothpaste, and even sofas. Even offered to give a birthday cake.
Hawaii Police Officer Mel Vargas said in a post on Hawaii Tracker’s Facebook group that the Outrata family lost almost everything in the fire. by the water used to extinguish them.
“Erhard Autrata is a husband, grandfather and father of four beautiful girls,” Vargas said in the post. “He is an outstanding veteran officer who does not hesitate to serve his community.
Fellow police officer Isabelle Feki posted in another Facebook group asking the community to support Autratas. Her post included an image of her Venmo handle from Erhard Autrata.
“My brother in blue lost his house and three fur babies in a fire tonight,” Feki said in her post. “Leaving his Venmo info here.” . [your] Hearts showing Aloha, I know they will greatly appreciate you. ”
Similar to Walker’s pleas, Feki and Vargas have also sent in kind words of support for House Outrata and questions about how to help.
Puna Patrol officers have launched a GoFundMe fundraiser for the Outlata family as well.
“We are doing this because Outrata Ohana is a wonderful group of people who are full of love and they need help,” said Officer Adam Haynes. If you only met them once, they’d walk away happy to have them in your life, just wonderful and loving people who try to make the world shine in their own way.”
As of Monday afternoon, more than $19,000 has been donated in support of “Ohana.” The goal is to collect over $50,000 that the Autratas can use to recover from the fire.
Walker and other families collecting items for Outlatus are collecting donations whenever possible. Those wishing to help can also deliver donations to Officer Bendel her Toro at the Pahoa Police Department and Mahina His Energy in Suite 202 at his 56 Waiānuenue Ave. in Hilo.
Walker said there is still a need for everyday items such as toilet paper, sanitary napkins, soap, detergent, shampoo, cotton swabs and cell phone chargers, just to name a few. Donations of other items are still being accepted and will be stored until Outratus needs them.
Anyone wishing to donate to help families can call Walker at 808-640-5088 or Chassidy Del Toro at 808-782-5758 for more information.
If you would like to help the Autrata family by donating to the Go Fund Me fundraiser, please click here.
“House fires are absolutely devastating, especially when children are involved. You also lose some of your beloved animals,” Haynes said. “They have lost so much. What we can do as brothers and sisters officers and as members of this community is to help them recover and return to their blessed and happy lives as soon as possible.”
A fire investigation is ongoing.
