Donations, Fundraisers & Volunteerism

Maui Economic Opportunity has received more than $27,000 in private gifts since August—led by a nearly $20,000 donation from Servco—to assist those impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.

Angel Hands Maui has announced the return of the Lahainaluna High School Prom Pop-Up Shop, an initiative designed to support students affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. As families in Lahaina continue their journey toward recovery, Angel Hands Maui continues work to ensure that Lahainaluna High School’s juniors and seniors can celebrate their prom in style—without the financial burden that might otherwise prevent them from participating in this milestone event.

Giving in FY24 included nearly $10 million for programs to benefit relief and recovery from the August 2023 wildfires on Maui, including $1 million from the Stupski Foundation that issued immediate cash payments to UH students within a week of the fires.

A west coast alliance of Rotary Clubs has donated $32,500 to Project Empower, a nonprofit organization formed in 2023 by Oʻahu-based RevoluSun Solar, to aid in building temporary housing solutions for those affected by the deadly wildfires in Maui last August. 

The Credit Unions of Maui and Lānaʻi recently dispersed $300,000 to the Homeaid Ka Laʻi Ola housing development. Ka La’i Ola is being built for residents impacted by the August 2023 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina town.

Step aside foie gras and soufflé. Poke has arrived as haute cuisine. And this surge of poke popularity benefitted the Maui Strong Fund recently during the fourth annual Kaua‘i Poke Fest.

Maui Tropix Surf Co. raised and donated $100,000 to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. The funds will go towards ongoing wildfire relief and recovery following the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation announced a $2.128 million grant to the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation. The total award amount comprises $1 million from HCF’s Maui Strong Fund and $1.128 million donated by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. The new trucks will have the ability to drive off-pavement, allowing crews to better reach wildfires early and prevent them from spreading.

This September, Maui Food Bank joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month to raise awareness about hunger and inspire people to take action. Since the Maui wildfires, the demand for food has increased by over 65%, according to organization leaders. 

Deeply moved by the news of the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires, Andrea Thornton, member of the Rotary Club of Boise Southwest Idaho, and her husband, Jim Kokaly, decided to collaborate with the West Maui Rotary clubs to provide aid to those affected.

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation today announced a monumental donation of $672,076.98 from the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association to its Maui Strong Fund. The majority of the gift comes directly from residents who donated at various city halls throughout the prefecture, as well as from businesses, and elected leaders in Okinawa. The effort was coordinated by the Yuimaaru Maui fundraising campaign with HUOA’s sister organization Okinawa Hawai‘i Kyokai.

In strong support and remembrance, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union recently presented a $25,000 donation to the Salvation Army Maui dedicated to the continued recovery of the communities impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires. This donation is part of an internal fundraising initiative, which the credit union and its employees collectively contributed to support the Salvation Army Maui.

In honor of the Maui wildfire remembrance of Aug. 8, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas installed a Kapa Kuiki Quilt, in their hotel lobby. The 16 panels that make up the quilt, tell stories of the history of Lahaina in a design by artists of ʻohana o Pūnana Leo o Maui. The Westin Nanea obtained the Lahaina tribute quilt in an auction at the most recent Ho‘omau event and installed the piece of symbolism for public display on the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires.

Humanitarian aid organization, World Vision returns to West Maui this week to host several distribution drives for families affected by last year’s wildfires. During the week of Aug 5, World Vision will host distribution events in Kahului and Pukalani.

In partnership with Aloha United Way (AUW), Town Center of Mililani on Oʻahu hosts Mililani + Maui – United in Aloha: A Day of Lōkahi on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. The community can gather to mark the one-year commemoration of the Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui, the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaiʻi’s history. The center aims to honor the memory of this solemn day and acknowledge the resilience and unity of those affected. The day’s lineup will include donation collections, community resources, keiki activities and cultural entertainment. 

Through the generosity of longtime music industry veterans and global music icon, philanthropist Dolly Parton, Cavaliere is releasing “My Hawaiʻi,” with 100% of proceeds going to Maui United Way – Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund that provides direct financial assistance to community members who experienced loss and devastation from the fires in Lahaina and Kula.

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation today released its Maui Strong Fund One-Year Impact Report sharing the impact of grants deployed to support the immediate and long-term recovery of the people and places affected by the devastating wildfires on Maui in August 2023. 

Hua Momona Foundation has announced its musical lineup for the inaugural Maui Music & Food Experience, taking place from Sept. 5-7, 2024. The event will feature a host of acclaimed musicians, including special guest Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. This multi-night celebration of music and culinary arts will raise crucial funding for food, housing and mental health support for survivors of the August 2023 Lahaina fire.

The Rotary Club of Wailuku has announced the successful acquisition of a $50,000 grant from the Rotary D5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief Fund. This grant will be used to support Piha Wellness and Healing over the upcoming fiscal year. These professionals will offer their services to individuals and families who have been impacted by the wildfires on Maui.

Habitat for Humanity Maui announced a special Disaster Recovery Fundraiser to be held at the historic Old Lahaina Lūʻau on Aug. 17, 2024. This event aims to raise essential funds to support the rebuilding of Lahaina, which was devastated by the catastrophic wildfires of 2023. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly towards recovery and reconstruction efforts.