This week’s edition of The Goodness Report shines a light on two organizations providing pathways for us to aid in the Maui Wildfire Relief, both now and later: the Hawai’i Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization providing relief to the people of Maui through grants to local organizations through their Maui Strong Fund, and the People’s Fund of Maui, a 501(c)(3) organization giving back to the residents of Maui by providing direct monetary relief for those who lost their homes in the wildfires.
In the Face of Fire – Lahaina, Maui August 2023
When disaster strikes, our immediate response is to ask, “What can we do to help?”
While there are many internationally recognized nonprofits providing an assortment of relief services after a crisis, relief can be slow to mobilize and run out quickly. There is often a lack of direct monetary relief for citizens who have been displaced, and the resources for the organizations helping to rebuild quickly become obsolete.
The wildfires in Lahaina in late August rank among the worst natural disasters in Hawai’i’s history. Thousands were evacuated, hundreds of residents were declared missing, and the island of Maui faced intense devastation to its infrastructure. Lahaina must now undergo the removal of toxic debris by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a process that will take “the better part of a year, cost about $1 billion dollars, and deny residents access to their homes and businesses,” said Hawai’i Governor Josh Green.
The residents of Lahaina are facing intense economic struggles caused by the loss of their homes, businesses, and infrastructure of their community, necessitating long-lasting relief efforts that will help the people and companies struggling to survive. Luckily, two organizations are doing just that, with plans for relief to continue as long as necessary to rejuvenate this island community.
The Hawai’i Community Foundation
The Hawai’i Community Foundation (HCF) is a Community Accredited Foundation and 501(c)(3) organization working to inspire generosity, advocate for equity, and invest locally to create a thriving island community in the state of Hawai’i. As a response to the devastating wildfires that have heavily impacted the community of Maui, HCF is supporting the affected communities in Maui Wildfire Relief through the Maui Strong Fund. The Maui Strong Fund is a disaster relief fund which provides resources for disaster response to nonprofit partners engaging in the distribution of supplies or provision of medical care, shelter, food, grief support, trauma-informed care to the impacted communities in the form of monetary grants.
The Maui Strong Fund – HCF’s Rapid Response to Maui Wildfire Relief
HCF created the Strong Funds to quickly mobilize support for relief and recovery in the event of natural disasters throughout the state of Hawai’i. There are several county-specific Strong Funds always accepting donations, including The Kaua’i Strong Fund, The Maui Strong Fund, The O’ahu Strong Fund, and the Hawai’i Island Strong Fund.
Each of the Hawai’i Strong Funds serves 4 crucial areas of disaster relief: community readiness, rapid relief and response, recovery and stabilization, and rebuilding resilience. The Maui Strong Fund is currently providing financial resources to the county of Maui to support their immediate and long-term recovery needs in the aftermath of the Maui Wildfires. Through the Maui Strong Fund, 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply to receive funding from the Maui Strong Fund to support their coordinated relief efforts on the ground. As of September 22, 2023, The Maui Strong Fund has awarded $24,769,144 to nonprofit organizations throughout the island who are supporting the community and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods as part of Maui Wildfire Relief.
The Strong Funds allocate grants to nonprofit organizations in several primary categories: Animal Welfare; Baby and Maternal Care; Communications, Logistics and Transportation; Food and Supplies; Healthcare; Immigrant Services; Lodging and Shelter; and Mental Health and Grief Counseling.
Click here to support the Hawai’i Community Foundation and the Maui Strong Fund.
People’s Fund of Maui – Direct Monetary Maui Wildfire Relief
Founded by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and TV personality Oprah Winfrey, The People’s Fund of Maui aims to allow the residents of the island to get back on their feet by allowing them to exercise their own agency in their personal recovery and to decide what matters the most to them without the red tape of goods and services distributed by nonprofits and government entities.
Anyone 18 years and older who is unable to live in their primary residence because of the wildfires in Lahaina is eligible to apply for direct monetary assistance from the People’s Fund of Maui, if they can provide proof of residence for the lost or uninhabitable residence. Economic aid awarded by the People’s Fund of Maui can then be used by residents for any unforeseen financial burdens, such as personal, family, living or funeral expenses, expenses incurred for the repair or rehabilitation of a personal residence, and expenses incurred from the repair and replacement of the contents of a personal residence.
As long as the People’s Fund of Maui continues to receive donations, funds will be distributed to as many qualified residents of Lahaina monthly for as long as possible.
So, what can we do?
Helping with any form of donation after a natural disaster not only provides immediate relief and assistance to those in need, but it fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility to build a more resilient and compassionate society. For those who want to aid the residents of Hawaii in the Maui Wildfire Relief but may not be in the geographic position to volunteer or make in-kind donations, the organizations above provide a seamless outlet to make as direct a positive impact as possible.
While the Maui Strong Fund and the People’s Fund of Maui are instrumental in providing immediate and direct relief to those affected, the journey toward complete recovery for Maui is a marathon. The road ahead for Lahaina will be challenging, but with continued support the rebuilding process will be more effective. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every expression of empathy helps Maui’s residents restore their community.
One of the best non-monetary ways we can provide support to the people of Lahaina, is through spreading awareness of the needs of the community with dialect such as resource sharing and transparent communication regarding how people can get involved. At Idea Hall, we have chosen to highlight these resources to inspire our employees, clients and connections in Southern California and beyond to engage in philanthropically and contribute to these important causes. By encouraging everyone in our community to support the people affected by the wildfires in Lahaina, we are expanding our vocation to serve as Champions of All Things Good.
Sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/month-after-deadly-maui-fire-66-people-still-missing-2023-09-08/
