Deadly wildfires on Maui have forced thousands of local residents and visitors to evacuate the area in search of shelter, food, water, and other basic resources. Here’s how Globe Aware volunteers can help!

How to help Maui fire victims from afar: Organizations and efforts underway

August 14, 2023
By Kelly McCarthy

Deadly wildfires on Maui have forced thousands of local residents and visitors to evacuate the area in search of shelter, food, water and other basic resources.

As of time of publication, at least 96 people have died from the wildfires that erupted Tuesday on Maui, and much of the historic town of Lahaina has been “destroyed,” officials said. A state of emergency has been declared for the whole island and all nonessential travel is being discouraged.

Organizations accepting donations for Maui fire victims

The Maui Strong Fund

Authorities in Hawaii, including the Office of the Governor of Hawai’i, have encouraged those seeking to help to donate to this fund, which is being organized by the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Donations: Hawai’i Community Foundation, this fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui LEARN MORE 

To locate missing loved ones:1-800-RED-CROSS

— Office of the Governor, State of Hawai`i (@GovHawaii) August 10, 2023

“The Maui Strong Fund was created to provide community resilience with resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery,” the foundation says on its website. “The fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui.”

The outpouring of support is truly tremendous. Mahalo for all of your kōkua and for spreading the word about the Maui Strong Fund. If you would like to donate, please visit 

— Hawaii Community Foundation (@HCFHawaii) August 10, 2023
Click here to learn how to donate.

Salvation Army – Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division

The Salvation Army’s Kahului Corps has already provided thousands of meals at Maui County and American Red Cross emergency shelters and is expanding across the island, the nonprofit announced in a press release Wednesday.

Click here to donate online.

Maui Mutual Aid Fund

This group of volunteers working to collect money and donations started a “needs list” posted to their social media pages, ABC News Honolulu affiliate KITV reported.

They are accepting donations to help Maui families, people with disabilities, elderly residents and others with limited or no insurance.

“If you have never done mutual aid work or never responded to a disaster and you feel you are called into responding right now, give us a call. We have a volunteer who will walk you through some very basic steps and will get you connected to the network,” Nicole Haguenin, a volunteer with Maui Mutual Aid Fund, told KITV.

Click here to find out how to donate.

Aloha United Way

The Honolulu-based nonprofit organization started in 1919, has created a Maui Fire Relief Fund to help fire victims financially.

Click here to donate and learn more.

Maui Food Bank

The food bank took to Instagram Wednesday, writing, “Maui, we stand with you during this emergency. Our hardworking staff is on the ground, making sure those affected get the help they need.”

Click here to make an online donation, which the organization said is “the quickest way to make an impact.”

The food bank has asked that phone and email requests remain limited, and directed those looking to help to continue checking its website for updates on the latest relief efforts.

Maui County

Maui County officials have also called for nonperishable food, bottled water, hygiene items and blanket donations. Donations can be dropped off at Maui’s War Memorial Complex from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has urged hotels and vacation rental owners “to consider how they might be able to house Maui residents displaced by the fire.”

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

The CNHA has partnered with Native Hawaiian and community organizations and businesses to match up to $1,000,000 in donations for ʻohana impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui.

World Central Kitchen

The nonprofit that provides meals in the wake of natural disasters, founded by chef José Andrés, has its Relief Team delivering food to emergency workers, those in shelters and rural communities on Maui and the Big Island and will continue to identify and fill meal needs. Click here to learn more and donate.