Maui Fires Disaster Relief

Deadly wildfires scorching Maui, Hawaii

Multiple fires have been raging with the initial wildfire starting on Tuesday night in Lahaina, a beach resort city of 13,000 in West Maui.  Lahaina’s destruction is particularly devastating since it used to be the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the 1800s and was the economic hub of the island, drawing in millions of tourists.  By Wednesday, wildfires also affected Kula, a residential area in the mountainous center of the island as well as Kihei, a coastal city in South Maui.

It is still unknown as to what actually ignited the fires, but ahead of the ignition, the National Weather Service notified local officials of the red flag situation in Maui — dry vegetative conditions for an extended period of time. That, along with low humidity and high winds, set the conditions for the wildfires. The powerful winds fanning the flames were generated by Hurricane Dora (Category 4), a storm that was moving across the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles south of the Hawaiian islands, the National Weather Service said. Dora contributed to heavy wind gusts above 60 miles per hour that tore through Maui, knocking out power lines and damaging homes.

World Vision is working with Pastor Mark Gudmunson of Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene to help purchase and distribute much needed emergency supplies such as food, water, gasoline, generators, clothing/undergarments, toiletries, and more. We plan to provide additional aid by sending direct loads of emergency supplies to Pastor Mark in Maui.

Fast Facts

• 55 confirmed dead with thousands still missing. The death toll makes this the second deadliest blaze in U.S. history, trailed only by California’s Camp Fire which killed 85 in 2018.
• The fire that burned Lahaina was 80% contained by Thursday morning. None of the other fires burning on the island were 100% contained, officials said Thursday.
  • Fires are ongoing - erratic wind, challenging terrain, steep slopes, and dropping humidity, make it difficult to predict path and speed of the wildfires.
• President Biden has declared the wildfires a major disaster, allowing federal aid to help with the emergency response and future repairs/rebuilding.
• The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 17 people who jumped into the Lahaina harbor in an effort to escape the flames. 

How can my Church help people affected by the fires?

• Give: Help people suffering from the Maui Fires.
• Pray: Join us in praying for World Vision staff and responders as they continue to support families through this disaster.
  Almighty Father, we ask for Your mercy on people hardest hit by this disaster. During these frantic hours, please guide the search and rescue teams with Your protection and courage. Comfort the families that have lost loved ones, and keep children and adults warm as the bitterness of winter is now heaped upon this catastrophe. Give them patience, peace, and hope that they will emerge from this disaster and livelihoods will be restored.
• Share: Spread the word to your church community, friends, family, and staff. Let’s come together and help our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Donate Online Now

Giving by Mail

If you or your church would like to mail in a gift towards the response, checks can be mailed to the address below. Please include a note with the following "W10001223 - Maui Fire Response" and "CSSC - 400078944" for the World Vision staff. We truly appreciate your your gift and willingness to help those in urgent need.

World Vision
PO Box 78481
Tacoma, WA 98481

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
—Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV)

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