Taskforce Kiwi deploys to Maui to support wildfire recovery

As New Zealand-based disaster relief group Taskforce Kiwi closes out its second year of operations, an initial rotation of skilled volunteers have departed for Hawaiʻi to support with wildfire recovery on the island of Maui.

Taskforce Kiwi’s US-based partner, Red Lightning, has been active in supporting the Lahaina community over the past year, initially providing communications support in the wake of the fire, before moving on to decontaminate and prepare smoke impacted homes for the return of families.

“The amount of work still required is immense, and Red Lightning has requested support from Taskforce Kiwi to help speed up recovery,” said Taskforce Kiwi National Director Rich Adams.

This is the first time that Taskforce Kiwi has deployed with Red Lightning, however the organizations have linked up previously in Aotearoa, when the US-based organization sent volunteers to participate in Taskforce Kiwi drone piloting and aerial mapping training in Auckland.

“Taskforce Kiwi has boldly answered the call in what we hope is the first of many deployments, which should provide the needed support and structure for a many-months long recovery effort,” said Red Lightning CEO Mike Shiffler. “With Taskforce Kiwi joining us, we are poised to make a significant impact to help return families to their homes as quickly as possible.”

The first cohort of volunteers to arrive in Lahaina will be the first rotation of several to make the trip to Hawaiʻi, as the organizations continue their work to remediate some of the thousands of homes impacted by the wildfire.

Taskforce Kiwi volunteer flights have been generously coordinated by the organization’s international humanitarian logistics partner, Washington DC-based Airlink.

To learn more about Taskforce Kiwi or to support their mission to provide aid to communities following disasters, go to www.taskforcekiwi.org.