Wildfires, exacerbated by strong winds from Hurricane Dora this week, have caused extensive damage to parts of the Big Island and the Hawaiian island of Maui.
At least 55 people have perished, local hospitals are overflowing with severely burned patients, homes, businesses, and cultural landmarks have been destroyed, and locals and visitors are still being evacuated.
Travelers can assist from afar by donating and letting their family, friends, and followers on social media know about the many ways to do so. Travel to a well-known tourist destination that is not essential is strongly discouraged at this time as authorities and rescue workers work to help those on the ground.
One such opportunity for people who want to help is the nonprofit organization Aina Momona. To help with disaster relief on Maui, the group has set up a fundraiser. Aina Momona mentioned numerous other ways to help victims, saying, “All the funds raised will be given to the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui County Strong Fund to support disaster relief on Maui.”
In addition, you can donate to a number of charities through Pledge, including the American Red Cross, the Maui Food Bank, and the aforementioned Hawaii Community Foundation.
GoFundMe has developed a unified portal that aggregates all certified fundraisers for the Maui wildfires. The hub will continue to be updated by the company’s Trust & Safety team as additional fundraisers are confirmed.
These iconic destinations, renowned for their unrivaled natural beauty, culture, and welcoming people, now urgently require assistance.