🌺 Maui Needs Your Aloha

How you can help in this time of need.

Wildfires ripped through the town of Lahaina last week on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, part of the United States. An increasingly dry climate, a flash drought, and invasive grasses that are very flammable didnt help.

But you can. -- help, that is.

If you have ever been to Hawaii, or would like to go someday, donating a few kālā to the cause to rebuild and help people who have been affected by these terrible fires would really help.

Remember the pain of these fires will go on long after the news cycle has glommed onto it’s next shiny thing, so please give what you can or at least share these resources.

My sister, Chryssa Jones who lives in Hawaii, recently shared several ways you can help on her LinkedIn page. These are known charities and ways you can donate that will go to helping the local people rebuild and recover.

The best thing that anyone outside of Hawaii can do is donate money to recovery efforts. If you want to organize a benefit event or fundraiser to help the people of Maui, here are some local charities that I know and trust will get funds to the organizations and people that have their boots on the ground, already doing the hard work of searching for victims and survivors in the rubble and helping survivors with their immediate needs as they are struggling to cope with the immense scale of the tragedy.

• Kākoʻo Maui: Matching Donor Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUN5ui6t
• Regenerative Education Center’s Off-Grid Shelter: https://lnkd.in/gMCHVTvW
• United for Maui: https://lnkd.in/giWA6aa2
• Red Cross of Hawaii: https://lnkd.in/gw5YPiAv
• Maui Strong Fund (for long-term rebuilding efforts): https://lnkd.in/gHbvnw8Q
• Maui Educational Support Fund (for long-term educational support): https://lnkd.in/gHyCewvN
• Donations of physical goods may be shipped to: ILWU Local 142 at 896 Lower Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Maui residents are asking visitors to please not go to Maui to see the damage or try to help - youʻll only be in the way. The fires are still burning and survivors are still just trying to survive, and they donʻt need to deal with outsiders right now. However, you can share your love and support for Maui on social media. #mauistrong #lahainastrong #maiuola