Last week’s Lāhinā wildfires in Maui have already become the most deadly in the country’s history, and officials say the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell told CNN that the damage reminded her of the 2021 Marshall wildfires near Boulder. Neighbors from across the world pitched in to help Colorado in the aftermath of that fire, so I want to share a few resources for how you can help the people of Lāhinā.
Where to Donate
- Maui Strong Fund — the fund is operated by The Hawai‘i Community Foundation and distributed to local nonprofits on the ground.
- Maui Food Bank — the hunger relief organization says every dollar donated can provide four meals on the island.
- Kāko’o Maui — The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has pledged to match donations up to $1.5 million.
- Maui Humane Society — donations help support animal medical costs.
- Red Cross — the organization has set up emergency shelters for Hawaiians who need food and other services. You can also text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make an immediate $10 donation.
Beware of Scams
They’re a grim reality during natural disasters and a place where they’re most common is the crowdfunding website GoFundMe. The site itself has helpful information on how they verify the legitimacy of fundraisers. The Federal Trade Commision also has resources for how to spot fraudulent fundraisers.
- Visit the verified Maui GoFundMe directory to donate.
