"We don’t even know where to begin because words cannot describe the feelings that went through us as we drove through the town of Lahaina. We did not go down into the town. We were above it, and it was a horrific apocalypse that was surreal. We were on a mission to find out where to selectively put the funds that we raised successfully from our Maui Kokua Fundraiser on September 6 at Old World in Huntington Beach. We were not disappointed. We flew into Kahului and immediately met up with Nicole at Maui Rapid Response in Kahului and the West Maui City Council woman, Tamara Paltin to find out what was really going on and where the funds needed to go. Maui Rapid Response is in charge of 32 community hubs, dispersed throughout the island to facilitate, organize and help the victims of the wild fire devastation. We went to several of those hubs(on the west side) and found out that gas cards were the most effective way of getting the donated funds directly to the people, so that’s what we did. They were beyond grateful. A lot of tears flowed🥲In addition, we gave to the Humane Society and the Boys & Girls Club. We met some amazing resilient people, the Spirit of Aloha thrives! We will continue to fundraise through Pacific Islander Foundation, which is a 501 (c) (3) and help the families of Lahaina as their heartbreaking 💔 plight will be ongoing. The beautiful people of Lahaina will rebuild and resurrect from the ashes!     🌺#LahainaStrong"

Julie Jones (volunteer member of PIF)

Where your Maui Kokua generous donations went

Maui Rapid Response is the headquarters for 32 hubs. Below is where we gave donations in addition to the Boys & Girls Club as well as the Maui Humane Society

• Na 'Aikane o Maui (Sheraton Hub)
• Napili Park (No Ho Hub)
• Hanakao'o Beach Park (Hub)
• Royal Lahaina (Hub)