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Lahaina, Hawaii — Four months after the devastating Maui wildfires, donations to the island haven’t stopped.
Viewers and listeners of Bonneville International, including KSL TV and all of its radio stations, stepped up to raise more than $450,000 for the Maui Strong Fund. Bonneville International partnered with the Hawaii Community Foundation to launch the Maui Strong Fund the day after the fire.
Powerful fundraising effort to support Maui, Hawaii wildfire victim relief
Inger Talley is the Philanthropy Director at the Hawaii Community Foundation. On August 8th, her beloved island of Maui was destroyed by wildfires.
“It was completely different from anything I’d ever seen,” she said.
Nearly 100 people were killed and thousands of buildings, mainly residential buildings, were destroyed. The historic city of Lahaina was in ruins.
“The day after the fire, people woke up without a home or a job,” Talley said.
The loss of these people is the driving force behind her work at the Hawaii Community Foundation.
“I think I got an email or a phone call every minute for about two or three weeks,” Talley said.
People of all ages from 53 countries came forward to help.
“Groups of children all over the country held lemonade stands and sold cookies and sent us their pocket money.”
The Maui Strong Fund has raised $166 million and continues to grow as the largest fundraiser in HCF history.
Talley said it feels like Maui is being hugged by the world.
“It’s great to be on that side,” she said.
The organization’s experience working with past disasters allowed it to respond quickly.
“We had flooding on Kauai, and then we had a volcanic eruption on the Big Island. And then we quickly got into COVID-19,” Talley said. “We found that because we were able to raise funds very quickly, within two to three days, we were able to get funds to first responders quickly.”
As of December 1, more than $34 million from the Maui Strong Fund has been distributed to 150 organizations. The fund covers everything from food and health care (including mental health) to pet care.
“They took in all the hundreds of dogs and cats. This was really important because we can’t move people into temporary housing with their pets,” Talley said.
The Maui Strong Fund also contributed to workforce development and housing reconstruction.
“Housing is not affordable. Half the employees here are like paycheck to paycheck,” she said.
Healing will take time, and the Foundation is committed to the long term.
“I think the balance of sadness and gratitude is what keeps us balanced every day,” Talley said. “Maui is a very special place. And everyone helps others as you help your neighbor.”
The biggest need on the island right now is affordable housing for people who have lost their homes. Talley hopes the Maui Strong Fund donation will help stabilize her family and allow them to feel safe remaining on the island.
KSL’s Tamara Vaifanua continues to tell stories of resilience and faith on Maui as the community deals with loss with the Maui Strong documentary. The program will be broadcast this April during the 194th annual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Watch on KSLTV.com, KSL TV or the KSL+ app.
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