On Tuesday, August 8, wildfires–fueled by dry weather and high winds from passing Hurricane Dora–quickly overtook the Hawaiian island of Maui, decimating homes and businesses. Residents who were forced to quickly evacuate suffered major losses, with hundreds killed or injured and many more displaced by the fires. Lahaina, a well loved and historic town was almost completely destroyed. Many on the island are still experiencing limited access to vital resources. Reports from Hawaiian officials report damage from the fires as “catastrophic,” “horrifying,” and “like nothing we’ve ever seen.”
Operation USA is committed to aiding the people of Hawaii with emergency aid. As of Monday, August 14th, OpUSA has deployed two $10,000 emergency grants, to the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Maui Food Bank. As of August 25th, we have also handed off a shipment of tents (generously donated by Exxel Outdoors) and large quantities of diapers, drinking water and baby formula (collected by our partners at Meathead Movers) to our partners at COPE for transport to Maui, in support of displaced families. Donations to our relief efforts expand our capacity to get aid into the hands of groups working directly in the hardest-hit communities. Thank you for your support!