We wanted to do an urgent, important post today, to encourage you to help the residents of Maui who are struggling to find solid footing during the wildfires that are currently raging and destroying their island.
It’s not hard to find videos and images of the destruction on the news and social media. We’ve seen the stories of people jumping into the ocean to escape the fires, the charred remains of buildings, the leaping flames dancing across the roads of Maui.
Choose any media outlet, and you can see the devastation: CNN, The New York Times, Reuters just to name a few.
As of August 9, 2023, 36 lives have been lost in the wildfires. We’re sending our love and support to everyone that lives on this breathtaking island as they start on a long journey of recovery.
The town of Lahaina on the western coast has been all but destroyed by fire fueled by drought conditions and high winds from a distant hurricane. Homes, businesses, and property have been lost. Pieces of history destroyed. Thousands were evacuated as communities burned to the ground. The beautiful, 150-year-old Banyon tree in Lahaina, seen below, is gone. According to the Tourism Authority of Hawaii, it was imported from India in 1873. The tree was over 60 feet tall and was counted as one of the largest Banyon trees in the United States.
At least three additional fires continue to burn on Maui as well as one on the Big Island. Winds from a distant hurricane some 500 miles away are fanning these fires, and the dry conditions across the islands aren’t helping.
Although tourism plays a large role in Hawaii’s economy, local officials are discouraging travel to the island while it struggles with this crisis. Understandably, nonessential visitors currently on the island are being asked to leave.
As officials continue to search for survivors in the town of Lahaina and other hard-hit areas, aid groups and volunteers are on the move to assist as best they can.
Ways to Help:
The impulse to help is a strong one for us at Meehan Formulations. If you’re feeling the same way, The New York Times has posted a list of legitimate places to donate to help the residents of Maui as the aftermath of this crisis continues:
The Hawaii Community Foundation is asking for monetary donations. This fund is used to support communities affected by the wildfires.
Maui United Way is also asking for money. The organization promises to provide immediate financial assistance through grants to nonprofits at the forefront of relief efforts and to households that have been affected.
The American Red Cross is also providing disaster relief for those forced to flee their homes.
The Maui Food Bank is accepting monetary donations, as well as certain foods, toiletries and household items.
We can’t forget the animals:
The Maui Humane Society said in a statement on Tuesday that its shelters were already over capacity before the fires. The organization said it was seeking volunteers to foster dogs and was also looking for donations of pet food, pop-up kennels and litter. In the statement posted on Facebook, the group said that donations of supplies could be dropped off directly at the Maui Humane Society location on the island, or delivered through its Amazon wishlist.
Sending the residents of Maui hope, strength, resilience and courage.
