Current:Home > MyMaui wildfires leave wake of devastation in Hawaii. How you can donate or volunteer.-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Maui wildfires leave wake of devastation in Hawaii. How you can donate or volunteer.
View Date:2024-12-23 23:34:05
Thousands of residents on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii were forced to abandon their homes, pets and belongings Tuesday evening amid the blight of wildfires ravaging towns on the island, including the historic town of Lahaina.
The natural disaster has left at least six people dead, several others injured and hundreds of families displaced. Several roads on the islands are closed, communication pathways are affected and airports are packed.
Several shelters are open to assist those on the islands and several local organizations are collecting donations . USA TODAY compiled resources for Americans from near and afar to help the people and animals in Hawaii.
American Red Cross: "Providing shelter and comfort to those affected by the massive fires'
The American Red Cross is assisting residents and tourists in Hawaii with "shelter and comfort to those affected by the massive fires."
"Red Cross disaster workers responded immediately, opening shelters on both islands where several hundred people sought refuge from the fires Tuesday night," the organization's website said. "The Red Cross is working with local, state and federal officials and more help is on the way."
They are asking people who come to the shelters to bring essentials, including "prescription and emergency medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items" with them.
And "for those who have already evacuated," a memo from their website reads, "don’t return home until officials say it is safe to do so."
Other shelters are offering assistance
Shelters are also open at six locations – Mayor Hannibal Taveres Community Center, Maui Prep Academy, Kihei Community Center, the Maui High School gym and the War Memorial Gym – for residents and tourists on Maui, according to the Maui Emergency Management Agency. The agency called has called on residents on several parts of the island, including Launiupoko Estates area and Punakea Loop most recently, to evacuate.
How to help: Charities that local emergency department is sending people to
The Maui Mutual Aid Fund is collecting donations to help people affected by the fires, according to KITV 4.
"All funds will be distributed as quickly as possible to vulnerable 'Ohana in need, kupuna, persons with physical disabilities, renters and those who have no insurance or are underinsured," the group shared on Instagram.
The Maui Humane Society is asking people to assist with aid to pets affected by the disaster. The group is asking people to foster pets in need, "drop off dry and wet pet food, litter and pop-up kennels" and to donate.
And New Life Kahuku Inc., a nonprofit organization based out of Kahuku, is asking for Americans to donate as they help “bring food and supplies directly to individuals and families affected by this devastation.
By Wednesday afternoon, the group had raised more than $140,000. The funds will be used “to help aid Lahaina Ohana’s with food and hygiene in this horrific time,” according to a post from the organization, including a link to donate, on Instagram.
Maluhia Collective, a small, family-owned boutique in Maui, along with other local businesses currently unaffected by the fires, are organizing supply drop-offs for first responders from the Maui Fire Department, "who still have not slept or rested in over 24 hours," Tianne Yamashita, the owner of the shop, wrote to USA Today.
The business, located in Wailuku, Hawaii- about 22 miles from Lahaina- is collecting snacks, premade food and drinks that are compiled and sent over to fire stations. Yamashita said most people are in "fight or flight mode. I think most of us are in shock because some of the footage from friends and family in the severely affected areas don't even seem real."
"There are only pockets of communities not yet affected that are able to help out," Yamashita said. "We are just so grateful to have a space that is still safe and out of harms way so that we can continue to help the community."
Contributing: Itzel Luna, USA TODAY
Contact Kayla Jimenez at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @kaylajjimenez.
veryGood! (73722)
Related
- The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
- Prisoners fight against working in heat on former slave plantation, raising hope for change in South
- Crews search for missing worker after Phoenix, Arizona warehouse partial roof collapse
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Let Me Spell It Out
- Police identify 7-year-old child killed in North Carolina weekend shooting
- USA vs. France takeaways: What Americans' loss in Paris Olympics opener taught us
- Candace Cameron Bure’s Daughter Natasha Bure Reveals She Still Has Nightmares About Her Voice Audition
- Taylor Swift's best friend since childhood Abigail is 'having his baby'
- Mike Williams Instagram post: Steelers' WR shades Aaron Rodgers 'red line' comments
- Destiny's Child dropped classic album 'The Writing's on the Wall' 25 years ago: A look back
Ranking
- 1 monkey captured, 42 monkeys still on the loose after escaping research facility in SC
- Yuval Sharon’s contract as Detroit Opera artistic director extended 3 years through 2027-28 season
- Meta’s Oversight Board says deepfake policies need update and response to explicit image fell short
- Violent crime rates in American cities largely fall back to pre-pandemic levels, new report shows
- Joan says 'Yes!' to 'Golden Bachelorette' finale fantasy beach proposal. Who did she pick?
- Southwest breaks with tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest and American
- Alicia Vikander Privately Welcomed Another Baby With Husband Michael Fassbender
- Multiple crew failures and wind shear led to January crash of B-1 bomber, Air Force says
Recommendation
-
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
-
Allergic reaction sends Filipino gymnast to ER less than week before she competes
-
'A beautiful soul': Arizona college student falls to death from Yosemite's Half Dome cables
-
It’s a college football player’s paradise, where dreams and reality meet in new EA Sports video game
-
Gold is suddenly not so glittery after Trump’s White House victory
-
Watch Billie Eilish prank call Margot Robbie, Dakota Johnson: 'I could throw up'
-
Biden signs bill strengthening oversight of crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons
-
Former Uvalde school police officer pleads not guilty to child endangerment in shooting