One year after devastating wildfires, here are ways you can still help displaced residents
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The ferocious blaze that tore through Lahaina was the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century on Aug. 8, 2023.
One year later, the people of Maui still need your help — and organizations are continuing their efforts to turn your aloha into action.
Together, we are Maui Nui Strong. Here’s how you can help.
Maui Wildfire Disaster, One Year Later
DONATIONS
- Directly donate to families in need with Aina Momona
Aina Momona is one of many organizations mobilizing to provide support the families impacted by the devastating wildfires. They have three primary fundraisers going. For more info click here.
Kokua Maui Fund: This fund will go to Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
Emergency Aid to Maui families: This fund, and all other monies raised for Maui outside the Kokua Maui fundraiser, will be directly distributed to Maui families who have been verified by communities partners. The group has already started to distribute these monies to Maui families.
Maui County Firefighter Relief Fund: This fund, and all monies raised, will be disbursed to the firefighters, lifeguards, and EMTs who have been directly impacted by the Maui wildfires. These selfless heroes are still standing on the frontlines every day for the safety of our communities, despite being affected themselves.
Donate to Aina Momona here.
Maui Nui Strong is provided by the County of Maui to help connect our residents, businesses, and visitors to useful information about Maui County, our diverse islands, and a variety of resources that help to promote thriving and vibrant communities.
Donate to Maui Nui Strong: offer housing, donate funds, donate food and supplies, volunteer.
The Red Cross works around the clock to offer aid to wildfire victims and families in need.
They’re asking for your monetary donations and for volunteers. Click here for details.
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Service teams and volunteers have been deployed to affected areas in West Maui, providing meals, spiritual and emotional support and basic needs for those who have lost everything
Donations can be made at Hawaii.SalvationArmy.org.
- Hawaii Community Foundation – Maui Strong Fund
The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.
Donate to the Maui Strong Fund here.
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Alakaina Foundation Family, and Kako’o Haleakala has raised up to $7,561,856.41 to support recovery efforts for Maui.
Funds will go to families and businesses. You can donate here.
In response to the devastating wildfires and immediate needs in the community, Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson announced the establishment of “People’s Fund of Maui” to distribute cash directly to those who were displaced and affected by the fire. The fund is launching with an initial $10 million donated by Winfrey and Johnson and a call to action for others to contribute to this meaningful and ongoing relief effort.
For more info or to donate, click here.
- Donate to verified GoFundMe pages
GoFundMe has set up a page of verified fundraisers for affected individuals and families.
- Donate to Maui teachers impacted by the wildfires through HSTA
HSTA is accepting donations and has compiled a list of individual GoFundMe pages for teachers in need.
For details, head to their website.
Aloha United Way has created the Maui Relief Fund that will go directly to efforts supporting victims of the fires. You can donate here.
The Maui Food Bank is seeking monetary donations in efforts to feed thousands of displaced residents. They say with ever $1 donated, the Maui Food Bank can provide 4 meals to the hungry. Donations can be made here.
Maui Mutual Aid is seeking donations to support Maui families, supplies for Maui Rapid Response’s Central Hub, Regional Community Resilience Hubs, and transportation, and a link to an up-to-date spreadsheet of affected community members. Donations can be made here.
Maui Humane Society has helped many displaced animals, but they’re accept donations to help the shelter meet the increase in demand for care.
Call (808) 877-3680 for more information or visit their website.
For those that can distribute their help, the Maui Humane Society needs volunteers, adoptions and help reuniting pets with their families. For more info, click here.
- Send baby supplies for mothers in need
Non-profit Baby 2 Baby has sent supplies for babies and children who have been affected by the Maui fires. Visit their website for more information or to donate, by clicking here.
- Lahainaluna High School Foundation
Lahainaluna High School has a donation page where contributors can donate to its Maui Wildfire relief fund. For more information on how to donate, click here.
- Help Maui by the UH Foundation
Help provide financial assistance through UH Ohana from any UH campus that has been affected by the Maui wildfires. The UH donation website offers four donation alternatives. For more info click here.
- Kamehameha Schools Maui Support
Kamehameha schools Ho’ola Maui website has links to donations on their website here.
The Ho’ōla Maui Fund helps parents rebuilding from loss with educational expenses
The KS I Mua Maui Fund is directed to support KS Programs and Initiatives to meet education needs for KS Preschools, haumāna, employees and ‘ohana who are affected by disasters, including the Maui wildfires.
This list will be updated. If you know of a donation drop-off site that’s not listed, please email news@hawaiinewsnow.com.
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