Maui Fire Recovery – How to Help
The recent fires on Maui claimed lives, destroyed homes, businesses, historic and cultural sites, and caused severe financial impact to people already stressed by an asymmetric economy that was driving Hawaiians from their homeland to more affordable locations. Fortunately Hawaiians and people who love Hawai’i have pulled together rapidly to help. Whalesong Project volunteers have helped through contributing time and resources during and after the fires, but our project is not accepting donations for fire recovery. Instead we are directing people to other respected organizations. Rebuilding will present many challenges and take many years, but if people who love Hawai’i pull together it can be done in a good way that respects the ‘āina, the culture and traditions of Maui.
Here are ways to help and stay in touch with ongoing efforts:
Places to Donate
Organizations Directly Helping People
Maui Food Bank – This organization is highly respected and does good work year round. The fires have added extraordinary challenges and donations will feed people who have lost jobs and homes. Every dollar donated will provide 4 meals to hungry people on Maui.
Hawaii Community Foundation – this highly respected and long established nonprofit organization has set up the Maui Strong Fund. 100 percent of donations go directly to community needs.
Kāko’o Maui – This Hawaiian Way Fund, established by the Native Hawaiian Advancement Council is providing resources that can be deployed quickly and efficiently to Hawaiian communities affected by the wildfires.
Peopleʻs Fund of Maui – Provides direct assistance to individuals. Established by Oprah Winfrey and Duane “The Rock” Johnson in consultation with community leaders on Maui. See this article, and this video on their project to help Maui.
Mohala Hou Foundation – Keola and Moanalani Beamer are residents of Lahaina whose neighbors lost everything, and are dedicating their own and their foundation resources to helping the community recover.
Animals are also affected
Maui Humane Society – This organization does great work year round on Maui and has played a vital role in saving and treating and taking care of animals lost, burned, injured and in other ways affected by the fires.