Kokua is the Hawaiian word for “help”- something Hawaii, especially Maui, needs right now. Reports are beginning to trickle out from many areas that are crippled with electrical outages and no phone services. Fire damages are being described as apocryphal. Thirty six deaths are listed thus far, but there will undoubtedly be more as the damaged areas are accessed.
Oahu and Maui have long been top tourist destinations. Many the world over have fond memories of enjoying Hawaii’s many beautiful places, and are watching the current fire reports with horror. Particularly heartbreaking is the destruction of Lahaina town in Maui. The historic Front Street area appears decimated- its beloved restaurants, shops, and waterfront destroyed.
Sadly Lahaina’s huge 150 year old banyan tree in Banyan Tree Park is damaged too, possibly permanently. Over the years, there’s not a visitor to Maui that hasn’t taken a souvenir photo by that imposing tree- even in 1886 King Kamehameha had his birthday party by it.
So as the details of the fire carnage become clearer, it is certain that thousands will be homeless and many more impacted economically. Kokua is needed for beloved Hawaii. The public is beginning to be directed to various ways to help during this crisis.
Hawaii News Now has an Aug. 9, 2023 article by Isa Farfan “Want to Help Those Devastated by the Maui Wildfires?Here’s How” (https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/09/want-help-those-devastated-by-maui-wildfires-heres-how/). Options range from giving money to Hawaii Salvation Army, the Kakoo Maui fund or America’s Red Cross, along with other fundraisers. In the days to come, there will likely be many more emergency relief sources available from various organizations, churches and groups.
Maui Strong Fund
Hawaii Community Foundation is emerging as a strong contender delivering meaningful help to the Hawaiian community through its Maui Strong Fund. In response to the devastating wildfire, they are providing immediate disaster relief and anticipating the resources needed for the long-term recovery needs (https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong).
Visitors to Hawaii have often experienced Hawaii’s signature aloha spirit of hospitality and generosity. Hawaii takes its aloha spirit very seriously- it’s even written into the state’s Hawaii Statutes as law. It’s time for some aloha spirit to be showered back on Hawaii now- they need kokua.
