Stand With Maui: How to Help Those Affected by Wildfires

It was love at first smell. When I walked off the plane in Maui nearly 20 years ago to the sweet perfume of plumeria and hibiscus I knew I’d found my paradise soulmate. Years later, when my brother and his wife moved to Oahu to teach, I got the chance to have a deeper relationship with the islands, their history, and their people. The unthinkable devastation of the Maui wildfires is gutwrenching to witness.

This is an event where everything that could seemingly go wrong, did. In the aftermath, I’ve pulled together a comprehensive list of resources to find help or give help, whether you’re in Hawaii or on the mainland.

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): 808-270-7285

Maui Nui Strong: County of Maui resource to find or offer support for Maui Wildfire relief

Maui Disaster Response and Recovery Support Form: A number of nonprofit and aid organizations, including Maui Rapid Response, Maui-Mutual-Aid, Maui-strong combining efforts to coordinate and match needs and assistance.

Maui Food Bank: Donations requested include rice, canned meals and protein with pop-tops (no can opener needed), protein and breakfast bars, baby formula and food, diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste and toothbrushes, toilet paper, and other toiletries.

• Emergency volunteer sign-up
• Food collection and distribution
• Donate online
• Hold a virtual food drive

Maui Humane Society:

• Report lost or found pets
• Email: donate@mauihumanesociety.org 
• Call: 808-877-3680 ext. 219

Maui Mutual Aid Fund: A local volunteer effort to support displaced and vulnerable residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities. 

• Donate online
• Email: nicolerhuguenin@gmail.com
• Call: 650-279-1662

Maui Economic Opportunity Maui Fires Fund: Collecting donations to help house those displaced by fires.

Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Business Relief Fund: Raising funds to help the business community on Maui and throughout the islands in the aftermath of the wildfires.

Kōkua for Maui: Hawaii Restaurant Association: Collecting donations to provide food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies for those affected by the fires on Maui.

If you're on the mainland, like me, donating is the most impactful way to help those affected by the wildfires on Maui. Make sure that your money actually makes it to the people you're trying to help by choosing an organization that's well-established (like the United Way or Red Cross)  or endorsed by the state or local government (like the ones I've included below). You can also check to find out if your donation is tax deductible and how much of the money you donate will make it to the cause you're supporting.

Maui Strong Fund

• Donor services 808-566-5560
• Maui office: 808-242-6184
• Email: donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org 

Maui United Way Fire and Disaster Relief Donation: 808-244-8787

Lahaina, Maui Fire Recovery Efforts

• Email: info@lahuifoundation.org 

Maui Fire Disaster Relief

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA): Partnering with Native Hawaiian organizations and businesses to match up to $1 million in donations for communities impacted by the wildfires. 

• What is a Wildfire: A Guide to Wildfire Safety
• States Ranked: Where Concern Over Natural Disasters Reigns Supreme
• The State of Safety in Hawaii
• Emergency Kits 101: How to Be Prepared for Anything
• How Do I Create an Emergency Plan for My Family?