Maui Fires Disaster Relief - Corporate Template

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.

How is World Vision responding to the Maui wildfires?

World Vision is responding swiftly to support affected families during this critical time. We’re partnering with Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene and other local community organizations to help families impacted by the devastation. The church, located on 2.5 acres of land in the Upcountry area, has access to fresh water, making it an ideal location to launch our emergency response.

“We have become the hub of resources for people that have no hope, that have nothing but the clothes on their back … We’re doing all that we can to get the resources where they need to go: to the people,” said Gudmunson.

We’re also collaborating with a food distributor in Honolulu, Hawaii, to help deliver 500 Crisis Relief Boxes to the church to be distributed to local families. Inside each box will be fresh fruits and vegetables that don’t need to be refrigerated or cooked. World Vision has also transferred money to the church to continue purchasing desperately needed emergency supplies.

How can I help children and families impacted by the Maui wildfires?

Your gift will help provide essential care to children and families impacted by the wildfires in Hawaii and other disasters across the U.S.

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.