Deadly wildfires have ravaged Maui since August 8, 2023, resulting in the highest death toll in U.S. history, with 114 confirmed casualties. These devastating events are expected to significantly impact impoverished native Hawaiians, given Maui’s poverty rate of approximately 11%. Fortunately, numerous resources are available to aid the affected citizens of Maui during this crisis.

Foodbanks

Hawaii Foodbank is a nonprofit organization that provides food assistance to residents of Hawaii. Its work includes partnering with “Feeding America,” launching pop-up food distributions for COVID-19 support and offering a yearly Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. In light of the devastating wildfires, Hawaii Foodbank is working with the Maui Foodbank to assist communities impacted by the wildfires. There is an option on its official website to electronically donate money to help provide food assistance. All the donations go to the Maui Food Bank. The Maui Food Bank has been providing food relief to the citizens of Maui County through community partnerships.

“Of those served, 40% are children and youth,” according to the nonprofit’s website. “Working with more than 100 distribution partners and programs, the Food Bank distributes safe and nutritious food to individuals, families, kids, the working poor, seniors on fixed incomes, the homeless and anyone who is at risk of going hungry. This includes people in need living in the rural communities of Hana, Molokai and Lanai.”

Business Relief Fund

Not only did the wildfires destroy countless homes, it also destroyed businesses. Hawaii is a state that relies heavily on tourism for profit. Due to the recent wildfires, however, tourism in the state has dropped. CBS News reports that some business owners on the island fear that the decline of tourists will slow down the island’s recovery process. 

A study done by Gibson Nene, Ph.D., and Melaku Abegaz, Ph.D., revealed that in rural areas, small businesses can improve poverty rates. According to an article by the University of Minnesota, “Entrepreneurial activity by “micro-enterprises” with fewer than 20 workers was associated with lower poverty rates across rural counties. The benefits of these businesses come in several forms, including new job opportunities and sources of income for residents of the community, as well as creating “social capital” that could end up attracting people from outside the community to move to the area and spur further economic growth.”

This information shows that impoverished native Hawaiians benefit from the local businesses on the island. Due to the wildfires, however, these businesses cannot operate as usual. To assist with this, The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation/Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has created a GoFundMe to raise money to help impacted businesses.

Celebrity Donors

Since news about the wildfires broke, many celebrities and public figures have been donating to different organizations. These donations will help the island get back on its feet and hopefully assist impoverished native Hawaiians affected by the wildfires.

Oprah Winfrey, who has lived on the island for around 15 years, has been visiting local shelters to assist with getting victims the necessities they needed. She also stated that she would make a major donation once a plan to rebuild has been created.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who has purchased property on the island, and Lauren Sanchez are creating a Maui Fund and dedicating $100 million to assist in the rebuilding process.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have donated an undisclosed amount to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. The couple also own a home in Kauai.

– Brianna Leonard
Photo: Flickr