Intrepid Foundation and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation have established dedicated fundraising appeals to help provide immediate support on the ground to those affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.
The Intrepid Foundation has launched a Hawaiʻi Wildfire Appeal in partnership with American Red Cross where Intrepid will match donations to double fundraising efforts. Aussies can also provide financial aid via the Maui Strong Fund.
The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Appeal will help provide emergency shelter, meals, assistance to locate missing people and other critical support needed on the ground in Maui right now.
All funds raised go directly to the Red Cross with every dollar matched up to USD$50,000 to allow your donations to go further.
Donating to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund will also help local communities and families recover from the wildfires.
Travel update
The Maui wildfires are the worst natural disaster in Hawaiʻi’s history with a devastating toll on lives, homes and businesses on the island. Thousands of people have been displaced as entire townships, such as Lāhainā, have been destroyed.
On its website, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority reminded “visitors throughout Hawai‘i to be especially mindful and respectful in our island home as our community continues through this extremely difficult time”.
The tourism body also urged travellers to “refrain from going to West Maui (including Lāhainā, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) as a means of respect to the people and places that have been lost in Lāhainā during this devastating tragedy”.
Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green confirmed that travel on the island outside West Maui and the rest of the state is safe.
Holidaymakers can still visit other areas of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia and Hāna) or other islands such as Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.
Major US airlines serving Maui’s Kahului Airport have implemented flexible travel policies for changing or cancelling flights. Travellers affected should check directly with the airline.
Advisors can access the latest travel info here.