How to Help

Hawaii VOAD responds to communities in need during blue and gray skies.

Maui and Hawaii County Wildfires: August 2023

Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources. Many charities specialize in providing relief in disaster areas, yet they face significant financial barriers to getting their staff, equipment, and supplies into impacted areas.

Your donation helps put experienced disaster responders on the ground and gives them the tools they need to help survivors recover. Organizations typically prefer cash donations because they allow organizations to:

  • Purchase food, water, medicine, and equipment from secure and familiar supply chains
  • Buy materials locally. This can help rebuild the local economy
  • Conserve resources. Money is always necessary and cheap to send, but the cost to ship material supplies can be expensive.
  • Remember, material supplies such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable food require helping agencies to redirect volunteer labor away from providing direct one-on-one assistance to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.

If you would like to Volunteer to Assist in the August 2023 Maui Wildfire recovery effort, please contact the Maui County Volunteer Coordinator directly at the email address below.

[email protected]

Wendy Stebbins, Volunteer Center Coordinator, Maui County