Maui Will Rise

by Terry George
Photo Credit: Naʻalehu Anthony

We are only two weeks into the worst disaster for our state since statehood and the deadliest fire in the United States in over a century. At the time of this writing, the fires in West Maui and upcountry are still not 100% contained, but what we know so far is that the damage, particularly to Lahaina but also to all of Maui’s economy and society, is devastating. We’ve lost a large chunk of the physical markers of our history and culture that were only found in Lahaina. Thousands of homes have burned and too many people already have been confirmed dead with over 1,000 still missing. Treasured places of worship are gone as are many small businesses. Water is undrinkable and the soil is toxic. Tourism arrivals to Maui are down by two-thirds, leaving the engine of that economy sputtering. Government officials initially struggled to respond effectively, and tensions are high in certain communities.

Many of Lahaina’s 7,300 households were barely making it prior to the disaster. According to Aloha United Way, 40% of those households had incomes below the ALICE threshold. One-third of residents speak a language other than English at home. A community needs assessment conducted last week by Maui United Way revealed that three in ten respondents needed mental health counseling.

Yet the response to this tragedy by ordinary citizens and voluntary organizations has been extraordinarily inspiring. Donations of money and goods have skyrocketed. Formal and informal distribution hubs for food, water, and medicine exist in all the affected areas. Chefs are using UH Maui’s kitchens to prepare well over 6,000 meals per day. State, county, and federal government leaders are beginning to work better together, and the military and national guard are now major partners in the recovery effort. They will be even more effective if they include the views of grassroots community leaders from the get-go, especially those with deep ties to Lahaina. The Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund continues to raise millions and has already distributed $5 million.

In the midst of such deep and broad damage and the already huge outpouring of money, goods, and staff from individuals, government agencies and nonprofits, what can the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation do with our smaller but flexible dollars that can make a significant difference? After consulting with partners on Maui, we decided on August 21 to approve a suite of initial unsolicited grants that: 1) build capacity in smaller nonprofits that can quickly steer direct support to groups and individuals closest to the ground; and 2) help the Foundation and our partners to learn and get set for the medium and long-term recovery and rebuilding phase, which will take years. The following is the list of grants we have made to date to support the response for our Maui community.

California Fire Foundation: $50,000 to support the Maui Wildfire Relief Fund

University of Hawaii Foundation: $50,000 to support the Stupski Maui Relief Fund that will help UH students affected by the Maui wildfires to remain enrolled in college

Center for Disaster Philanthropy: $50,000 to support the Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund

Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation: $50,000 challenge grant to support the Business Relief Fund to help businesses affected by the Maui Wildfires

Hawai’i People’s Fund: $50,000 flexible grant to build Hawai’i People’s Fund’s capacity to help provide relief to those directly impacted by the wildfires on Maui and to amplify their voice in decision-making through the “Maui Aloha: The People’s Response” initiative

Hui O Waʻa Kaulua: $50,000 flexible grant to build capacity to help provide relief to those directly impacted by the wildfires on Maui and also to help replace Hui O Waʻa Kaulua’s canoes lost in the wildfires

Maui United Way: $100,000 (over two years) flexible grant to build Maui United Way’s capacity to help provide relief to those directly impacted by the wildfires on Maui, to support community organizations providing that relief, and to help in the recovery and rebuilding phases

Funder Hui: $5,000 to help cover the Hui’s staffing costs for convening dozens of funders to share information and insights regarding the response to the disaster on Maui.

The work continues and will for years to come. Mahalo for all that you are doing and will continue to do in support of Maui.