In the wake of last year’s devastating wildfires on Maui, one jeweler stands out for his act of kindness and generosity. Omi Chamdi, the owner of No Ka ‘Oi Jewelers in Kahului, has stepped up to offer hundreds of dollars’ worth of free jewelry repair services to those who cherished gold and jewels were tarnished or damaged in the fires.
His initiatives embody the resilience and compassion of the Maui islanders in the face of adversity.
In an interview with NPR, Chamdi was inspired to launch this initiative after hearing about the efforts of jewelers who had repaired pieces damaged in the Californian wildfires of 2018. Moved by their stories, he felt compelled to do his part to help his community recover from the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.
“These are not just ordinary items, these are the most precious possessions that people go back to the ruins and dig through the rubble to find. That’s why I feel this is something I want to do and must do, because this is within my expertise,” he said.
Since then, No Ka ‘Oi Jewelers has undertaken the repair of over 150 pieces of jewelry, with an additional 300 items sent in by residents whose jewelry boxes and safes were consumed by the flames. While diamonds and other precious stones are typically resilient to fire damage, gold can suffer severe tarnishing or deformation, leading to settings failing apart and stones becoming dislodged.
To restore these precious pieces to their former glory, a range of techniques such as soldering, polishing, laser cleaning, or rhodium plating may be required. These services can often cost upwards of $150 per piece, but Chamdi has taken it upon himself to cover all expenses out of his own pocket. His selflessness and dedication to helping his community shine bright in the face of adversity.
Many individuals have turned to Chamdi and No Ka ‘Oi Jewelers with items that they spent days searching for amidst the ashes of their homes and possessions.
One such resident, Michelle Quirk from Lahaina, shared her story with NPR. Using a shovel, she painstakingly sifted through the remnants of her house until she found six rings that had belonged to her great-grandmother. Thanks to Chamdi and his team at No Ka ‘Oi Jewelers, all six rings were expertly restored, preserving not just their physical value, but also the sentimental significant they held for Michelle and her family.
“Just finding the rings honestly has helped me emotionally. Before, I couldn’t even really talk about it or understand what happened. Then once those rings were found, it gave me hope,” Quirk said.
Chamdi’s act of kindness serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for the Maui community. In the face of tragedy, his willingness to lend a helping hand and his commitment to restoring what was lost demonstrate the strength and compassion that unite the people of Maui.
As the island continues to recover and rebuild, gestures like Chamdi’s reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the light of human kindness can shine through, illuminating the path to healing and renewal.
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