Dwayne Johnson, Oprah launch multi-million dollar fund for Maui fire victims

Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson

Two of the biggest names in show business have joined forces to help the victims of the Maui wildfires.

In response to the devastating Maui wildfires and immediate needs in the community, Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson announced the establishment of “People’s Fund of Maui” to distribute cash directly to those who were displaced and affected by the fire. 

The fund is launching with an initial $10 million donated by Winfrey and Johnson and a call to action for others to contribute to this meaningful and ongoing relief effort.

“I have been meeting with people throughout the community that were impacted by the fires over the last few weeks, asking what they most needed and how I could be of service,” said Winfrey, former talk show host and head of a media empire that includes magazines, a production company and a television network. 

    RELATED:

• Hawaii's historic structures destroyed by fire
• Biden promises Lahaina will be rebuilt 

“The main thing I’ve been hearing is their concern about how to move forward under the immense financial burden," said Winfrey, who owns an estate on the island. "The community has come together in so many wonderful ways, and my intention is to support those impacted as they determine what rebuilding looks like for them.”

Any Maui resident 18 years or older who was displaced by the wildfires that swept the areas of Lahaina and Kula on the island of Maui can receive $1,200 each month for at least six months to help assist them as they get back on their feet. All net proceeds will go to those directly impacted.

Collaborating closely with an advisory board and support from the local community and respected elders, this new fund will serve as a bridge to provide cash directly to the families and individuals affected so that they can personally determine how best to use the funds for themselves.

"As people around the world watched the catastrophic loss and devastation caused by the Maui wildfires, they also witnessed the great spirit and resilience of our Polynesian culture and the tremendous strength of the people of Maui. Even in the most difficult of times, the people of Maui come together, and we rise - that’s what makes us stronger,” said Johnson, who lived in Hawaii when he was younger. 

“We are beyond grateful to be working alongside esteemed community leaders of Maui to launch the People's Fund of Maui. These leaders are offering their guidance to ensure our fund can put money directly in the hands of those individuals most affected," said the movie star, who is of Samoan and Black heritage.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The search for the missing continues three weeks after the fire started.

The fire's start is still being investigated but initially the culprit appears to be sparking powerlines. Hurricane-level winds helped spread the fire quickly on August 8 causing an evacuation of the seaside town of Lahaina. The death toll from the wildfires that decimated most of the historic and tourist favorite town stands at 115 but that number is likely to rise. There are still 385 unaccounted individuals.

As the fires spread tourists were advised not to come to Maui but as recovery begins, tourists are again being encouraged to visit. Although Lahaina had been mostly reduced to ashes, other parts of the island are still operating. Tourism is the island's main industry and source of employment.

Hawaii's US Senator Brian Schatz, posted on social media: “Maui update. South Maui resorts (Lahaina is West Maui) NEED visitors. Furloughs and layoffs starting because people think the whole island is closed. It is not. If you are planning a trip to Wailea or Kihei, don’t cancel. If you want to come to Hawaii pls consider South Maui.”

"To all who have already offered your help, thank you for your support and for those wanting to help now, your prayers and resources are a welcome assistance for those displaced within the Maui community," said Johnson. "I also want to offer my profound gratitude to all the first responders, local organizations and every individual who has worked tirelessly on the ground responding to this crisis.”

    FYI:

• To contribute to People’s Fund of Maui visit PeoplesFundofMaui.org. All net proceeds will go to those directly impacted in Maui.
• Impacted residents can visit the website for more information HERE.

The creation of the fund was done with guidance, insights, and the blessing of community elders, leaders and residents including Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla, Keali’i Reichel, Archie Kalepa, Ekolu Lindsey, Kimo Falconer, Tiare Lawrence, Kaimana Brummel, Kaleikoa Ka’eo, Brian Keaulana, Kaimi Kaneholani, Henohea Kāne, Paele Kiakona, Ed Suwanjindar, Shep Gordon and Jason Momoa.

The $10 million is just a start. The initial funding is being provided by Oprah Winfrey through the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, and Johnson.

“And our goal is to be able to give people money regularly for at least the next six months so that they will be able to make decisions for themselves and be able to have some sense of value for what they can bring to themselves and to their families," Johnson told NBC. "We will continue the fund for as long as you help us continue the fund.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the blog Views From the Edge.

Hawaii's historical structures destroyed in Maui fires

Lahaina's Front Street looking north

The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui has claimed 93 lives, making it the most destructive fire in the US in over a century. The death toll is expected to rise as workers comb the charred ruins.

As I scan the video footage and photos of what is left of Lahaina, I search for familiar stores and gathering spots. Only the waves lapping against the sea wall remains the same.

The rest of the Lahaina Town is reduced to ashes and rubble by the fire that ripped through the community  beginning Tuesday, Aug. 8.

President Biden declared Maui fires a national disaster Thursday (Aug. 10), ordering all federal agencies, including the military, to assist firefighting and recovery efforts.

Lahaina is prominent in the history of Hawaii. King Kamehameha I made Lahaina the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1802. 

Much of Hawaii's heritage has been reduced to ashes, including:

• The 200-year-old Waiola Church, Hawaii's first Christian church where some of Hawaii's royalty are buried.

• Lahaina Jodo Mission, which was established in a private house in 1912 to propagate Buddhism in Lahaina. The temple moved to its present location in 1931.

• Na Aikana Cultural Center, which occupies a building that once served as a soup kitchen for plantation workers during an ILWU strike against the Pioneer Mill.

• Pioneer Inn, built in 1901 by George Alan Freeland.

• The Baldwin Home Museum, the oldest home on the island, built between 1834 and 1835 for missionaries Dwight Baldwin and Charlotte Fowler Baldwin.

• The Wo HIng Museum and Cookhouse, The current structure was restored in 1912, but the original building was built in the early 19th century.

• The Old Lahaina Courthouse, which opened in 1860 as a customs house for whaling and trade ships as well as a center for government offices and court functions during the monarchy period.

Miraculously, Maria Lanakila Catholic Church and its rectory are still standing. The church school suffered minor damage. Maria Lanakila, which means Our Lady of Victory, was established in 1846, according to the church’s website. 

Originally consisting of an adobe building with grass hut chapels, the modern stone structure was finished in 1873. The buildings next door to the church were burned down completely.

ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIANS

About 40% of Lahaina's year-round population of 13,000 are of Asian descent and 5% was Native Hawaiian. Whites made up about 35% and the next largest group were of mixed racial heritage. 

Filipino Americans make up the largest Asian subgroup in Maui. According to Kit Zulueta Furukawa, director of the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce, hundreds of Filipinos are among the 1,000 people still unaccounted for, said Furukawa.

"Filipinos are a significant number of Lahaina’s population. We lost quite a few people, and a lot of our fellow Filipinos lost everything or a considerable amount of their housing and possessions," said Filipino American state Senator Gilbert Keith Agaran.

As of this morning, 89 people have perished in the multiple Maui blazes. Most of the fatalities were found in the three-mile stretch that defined what was downtown Lahaina. 

The number of dead is expected to rise as workers comb through the rubble that was once the home of Hawaiian royalty and has become a bustling tourist hub. 

A curfew will be in place from 10 pm-6 am daily in Historic Lahaina Town and affected areas.

The 150-year old banyan tree is charred (it’s said that if the roots are healthy, it will likely grow back, but it looks burned yet standing).

CURRENT CONDITIONS

The following news updates are courtesy of the Maui Information Guide.

• The road towards Lahaina: Honoapiilani Hwy (30) is closed again.
• The new fire in Ka’anapali is contained. The smaller fire in Haiku is out.
• 80 fatalities – We expect this number to rise dramatically with more search and rescue. So far, it’s the deadliest wildfire in the US since 2018 in California, but it’ll likely exceed it now that we have residents and crews returning to assess damages.
• Hospitals are NOT Overwhelmed – Rumors are circulating that Maui Memorial, Kula Hospital, and Lanai Community Hospital are overwhelmed, which is untrue.  They responded that they have ample capacity.  Do not avoid the ER.
• 100’s of pet fatalities – The fires came so quickly, it’s still unknown how many pets were lost.
• 1,418 people at 6 shelters – Many more have been displaced but are staying with friends and family.
• At least 2,207 structures were affected or completely destroyed. – These numbers will go up as we get a proper count.
• 10’s of thousands have left Maui – Both visitors and residents are leaving for Oahu and the mainland.
• 100’s of businesses burned – And 1000’s will be majorly affected or closed permanently.
• Most schools are still closed – And many businesses across the island have closed in an effort to have employees assist in aid.

Maui and the Big Island have had some terrible fires since Tuesday evening. Even though Lahaina has been the most devastating, keep in mind there are many major fires across Maui (not just the west side). 

 

Lahaina is said to be 85% contained, but remember that it was said to be 100% contained hours before it flared up and destroyed the entire town.

 

Pūlehu/Kihei is said to be 70% contained. 

 Kula containment is at 50% though new flare-ups have been reported, and it seems to be in 2 different areas. 

Both Ka’anapali and Haiku fires are contained/out.  Winds have died down a bit, so helicopters are able to assist with water drops and delivering supplies.

How you can help Maui, click here.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.