Stand With Maui: How to Help Those Affected by Wildfires

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Need to Know from SafeWise
  • Death toll reaches 96 as of Monday; expected to rise over next 10 days.
  • More than 11,000 people evacuated and/or displaced.
  • Blaze 85% contained as of Sunday evening.
  • Two new storms developing, but not considered a major threat at this time.
  • Find resources below to help on the island and from the mainland.

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.

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To locate missing loved ones

Contact the Red Cross 1-800-RED-CROSS


Where to get help on Maui

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.

Maui Humane Society:

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

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.

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Report lost or found pets

Report a found pet with the Maui Humane Society.

Search their Lost Animals listings to see if a lost pet has been found.


How to donate if you're on the mainland

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.

Relief funds endorsed by the County of Maui

Maui Strong Fund

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

Lahaina, Maui Fire Recovery Efforts

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. 

Checklist
Hawaii home security and safety resources

Check out our full list of crime, natural disaster, and general safety resources for Hawaii.

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Rebecca Edwards
Written by
Rebecca is the Managing Editor and lead safety expert at SafeWise.com, where she's been researching, testing, and writing about home and personal security for over 12 years. Her safety smarts come from both real life and professional experience—as a single parent trying out safety and security gadgets to protect her family and a former college director responsible for safety plans and strategies to keep buildings, grounds, and hundreds of students and faculty safe every day. With 30 years of experience as a journalist and blogger, she's become a go-to source for trustworthy, practical advice on everything from the best home security systems and smart gadgets to keeping kids safe online, preventing package theft, and understanding crime trends nationwide. PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, NPR, Vice, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, HGTV, Marketplace, On the House, and more have featured Rebecca's expert insights and recommendations. Whether it's protecting your home, your loved ones, or your peace of mind, Rebecca makes safety simple, doable, and real.

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