Please know the situation in MAUI is beyond a National Disaster. Spread the word, call your Senators and demand more support be sent to Maui now. Go on social media and listen to the stories from real survivors and see for yourself the locals suffering from piss poor government disaster management and planning in a fire prone area. Stand up for these people and stop scrolling for a minute. DO SOMETHING to make the world a better place.
Local Donations Are Best:
The Hawai’i Community Foundation: The Hawai’i Community Foundation is accepting donations through its Maui Strong Fund. The foundation has already raised $1 million to help fire victims, Hawaii News Now reports. To donate, visit the fund’s website. For questions or additional information, please contact Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.
Maui Food Bank: Maui Food Bank provides “safe and nutritious food” to anyone in Maui County who is at risk of going hungry, the organization says. Maui Food Bank also donates food to disaster relief efforts on the island. “With every $1 donated, the Maui Food Bank can provide 4 meals to the hungry living in our island community,” the food bank pledges. To donate, visit the food bank’s website,
Maui Nui Strong: A project of the County of Maui, Maui Nui Strong provides information and resources for people in the community. You can make a donation, volunteer, or seek support on their website, mauinuistrong.info.
Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation: The Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation is a nonprofit, no-kill rescue center that’s been caring for animals on Maui since 2011, and it’s been extra busy taking care of pets for families displaced by the fires. You can make a donation online to help.
Property Owners/Landlords Can Help:
If you are willing to offer your home or available housing units for use can submit the form at dbedt.hawaii.gov/hhfdc/. An HHFDC representative will contact you to confirm and verify your information.
Victims Need To Register:
FEDERAL
Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately. They can also call the FHA Resource Center at 800-304-9320 for additional information and visit the FHA Disaster Relief site to learn more about disaster relief options for FHA homeowners. HUD also released regulatory and administrative waivers to help communities accelerate their recovery.
From the White House: The Administration encourages individuals impacted by the disaster to register for Federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
STATE
Residents who have been displaced or have been left houseless as a result of the wildfires are asked to fill out a separate form at the same webpage at dbedt.hawaii.gov/hhfdc/. An HHFDC representative will contact you to confirm and verify your information and try to connect you with the landlord of an available unit that meets your needs.
For questions on the Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing Program, please email HHFDC at hhfdcfirereliefhousing@hawaii.gov or call their offices at (808) 587-0469. Staff will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week to help.
Keiki Resources:
Office of Wellness and Resilience
- Lahaina Child & Family Resources Directory – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/171D_7sgkNmrSi-8ZObVXWSa2PQWTw0GeeRSyruTisMM/edit?usp=sharing
Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Early Childhood Disaster-Related Resources for Children and Families – https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohsepr/disaster-human-services/children-and-disasters/children-and-families
NAPS – Helping Children After a Wildfire: Tips for Parents and Teachers (pdf download)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-online
- NATSN – Tips for parents & careers of traumatic media coverage – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/tips-parents-and-caregivers-media-coverage-traumatic-events
- Facts on Traumatic Stress and Children with Developmental Disabilities (pdf download)
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires (pdf download)
- Trinka and Sam The Big Fire (pdf download)
- Wildfires: Tips for Parents on Media Coverage (pdf download)
- Helping Children After a Wildfire (pdf download)
- Social Media and School Crisis (pdf download)
