Thousands have been displaced in Maui after much of Lahaina town was leveled. Here’s how you can help.

Organizations across Hawaii are mobilizing to help fire victims after thousands were displaced on Maui.

The death toll is currently at 115 people.

If you’d like to help recovery efforts, there are several ways that you can pitch in.

wildfires, fires, Lahaina, maui
People took as many belongings as they could while evacuating from the historic town of Lahaina as fires tore through the area, leaving the harbor in wreckage. (Ku‘u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

Cash Donations For Maui Fire Victims

Here are some organizations accepting donations for emergency efforts. Links attached to the organization names below will take you directly to donation checkout pages.

(Note: Donations made directly on our website, civilbeat.org, will support our journalism. If you wish to support relief efforts, you must click on a link below.)

Donate Supplies To Maui Fire Victims

Supplies are gathered for those affected by the wildfires Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Wahikuli neighborhood, north of Lahaina town and south of Kaanapali. A large fire consumed areas of West Maui last week. Utilities have not been fully restored. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Supplies are gathered for those affected by the wildfires Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Wahikuli, north of Lahaina town. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Maui Food Bank

Maui Food Bank is collecting and distributing food and other items to emergency victims, according to its website. The following donations are requested:

  • Rice.
  • Canned protein (pop-top cans).
  • Canned meals (pop-top cans).
  • Snacks.
  • Protein and breakfast bars.
  • Peanut butter.
  • Jelly.
  • Baby food.
  • Diapers.
  • Feminine hygiene products.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Toilet paper.
  • Paper towels.
  • Other toiletries.

Items can be delivered and obtained at the following locations (do not mail checks for the food bank here):

  • Central Maui: King’s Cathedral (777 Maui Veterans Highway)
  • South Maui: Calvary Chapel South Maui (320 Ohukai Rd., Ste. 420)

See Maui Food Bank distribution sites for pickup.

County Emergency Shelters

People and organizations wishing to contribute to Maui County relief efforts may express interest in an online form.

County emergency shelters have a need for the following items, which can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the old Kahului Safeway (170 E. Kamehameha Ave.):

  • Non-perishable food.
  • Water.
  • Paper supplies.

Do not bring items to fire stations. They cannot accept items for shelters.

Donate Items Online

The Maui AIDS Foundation has also created a Maui fire relief checkout page where donors can opt to put their gift toward a specific physical need and an online Amazon wish list for people in shelters.

Donate Items On Oahu

The Hawaii Restaurant Association is looking for people on Oahu (and Maui) who may contribute to efforts to support fire victims as part of its Kokua for Lahaina initiative. The following help is needed:

  • Food.
  • Water.
  • Medical supplies.
  • Shelter.

Confirm your participation via this form from the association.

Volunteer To Help Maui Fire Victims

Here are some organizations looking for help serving victims and aiding in recovery efforts on Maui:

The State of Hawaii is also seeking landowners, landlords and management companies interested in setting up arrangements with Maui fire victims. Program application forms are expected to be made available beginning 8 a.m. Monday on the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation website.

Avoid Scams

The state Attorney General’s office urged residents to use caution when choosing where to send their money and donations.

“I know that the people of Hawaii will come to the aid of our families, neighbors and communities,” says Attorney General Lopez. “We are already seeing various fundraising efforts being promoted on social media platforms and online. In moments of crisis, we all must be extra vigilant against bad actors who try to take advantage of people’s goodwill.”

Before making a donation, the AG advised in a news release Wednesday to keep following tips in mind:

  • Donate to trusted, well-known charities. Beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Always verify a charity’s legitimacy through its official website. If someone is fundraising on behalf of a charity you are familiar with, the best practice is to donate directly to that charity.
  • Verify that the charity is legitimate. Any charity that solicits donation in Hawaii must be registered with the Department of the Attorney General, and its status can be verified here. There are also a number of independent online sources you can use to verify that a charity is legitimate, including the following:
  • Stay away from suspicious donation requests and be mindful of the following scammer’s tactics:
    • Rushing you into making a donation. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. Take your time to do your research.  
    • Asking you to make a donation using cash or gift card. Most legitimate charities will accept credit card and check donations.  
    • Using names that sound a lot like the names of real charities. This is one reason it pays to do some research before giving.
    • Scammers make lots of vague and sentimental claims but give no specifics about how your donation will be used.

Read more tips on avoiding fraud during times of diaster from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Hawaii.

This is a developing story. Check back for new service opportunities and visit Maui County’s Maui Nui Strong website for getting or giving help.

If you know of a trusted nonprofit serving fire victims that isn’t on this list, drop it in the box below and we’ll take a look. At this time, we are focused on adding donation drive opportunities on Oahu and volunteer opportunities.

Mahalo in advance for your patience — we’ve been busy around here.

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