A single mother of three lost her residence and her business workshop in a fire on May 24 in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
Now, the community is rallying together to help the Hilo-born artist and businesswoman Heather Fergerstrom.
“She is the most giving person, and she is a go-getter,” her sister, Sunserene Mangarero, told the Tribune-Herald. “But sometimes, she has a hard time receiving.”
Mangarero set up a GoFundMe for the family to help them get back on their feet, and so far, the community has donated $12,864 of the current $25,000 goal, with more than 178 donations as of Tuesday.
“We just want to thank the community so far, even people from the mainland we don’t even know, anyone who has helped out,” Mangarero said. “I think it has really made her stronger, and she sees a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Hawaii Island Fire Department confirmed 13 firefighters responded to the call last week when a single-story wooden structure on 24th Avenue caught fire, adding six people were inside when the fire began.
They included Fergerstrom, her children, her daughter’s boyfriend, and Mangarero’s mother-in-law, according to Mangarero.
Fergerstrom was renting the home at the time from another sister, who is the owner of the home.
“I live right down the road, so when they called me, I got there in less than five minutes, and it was just engulfed,” Mangarero said. “I could see flames to the sky.”
Magarero said her sister tried to use a fire extinguisher, but the flames spread rapidly.
“She grabbed the fire extinguisher, opened the door, and said the flames were just everywhere, coming to her face and burning her,” Mangarero said. “I just remember having to hold her up because she couldn’t even stand on her own two feet after, just watching her house burn, it was so dramatic.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Neighbors rushed to help, bringing blankets and towels to protect the family from the rain. The Red Cross also has offered clothing and other necessities.
Fergerstrom and her three children — ages 16, 19 and 20 — made it out of the house and are now staying with Mangarero.
“Her two boys lost everything,” Mangarero said. “Their rooms were like a skeleton. You couldn’t even see where the bed was anymore.”
Fergerstrom is well known throughout the community for her jewelry shop Coconut Girl Earrings. She sells her jewelry, along with wall art and other creations at the Merrie Monarch Festival craft fair, local farmers markets, and on her Etsy online shop, where her gifts are shipped around the world.
“She ships to New Zealand and even to Iran,” Mangarero said, who noted Fergerstrom’s workshop, including all of her laser-cutting tools, saws, sanding gear and other equipment, were lost in the fire.
“She can always find another house, but it’s just the fact that was her moneymaker, her life, her favorite thing to do,” Mangarero said. “It was just so heartbreaking to see it burn right in front of her, but we’re just so relieved everyone is okay.”
Mangarero said her sister is still recovering, but is not yet ready to speak publicly about the incident.
“She’s taking it one day at a time and is already thinking of ways to get everything back,” she said. “Her kids are her number one (priority), so she’s making sure that they’re mentally strong.”
Fergerstrom launched her business 15 years ago and was using it to help put her two children through college.
“Even before this fire happened, she was starting a second small business,” Mangarero said. “It’s a lot she has on her plate.”
Fergerstrom and her family are thankful for the community and the help that they have received so far.
“People have told me they will follow my sister’s business to the ends of the earth just because they know what a good businesswoman she is and what a good person she is,” Mangarero said. “That’s why so many people came out to help her. They can imagine if this happened to them, they would want people to come out and help them, too.”
Those hoping to support Fergerstrom and her family can visit the GoFundMe at https://tinyurl.com/2wfnk9yc or can donate to her shop’s Venmo at @shesacoconutgirl.
“To me, she deserves it, because she’s such a great person,” Mangarero said. “I just can’t wait to see her back in action, back doing her thing, and making people happy.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.