Situation:
On Aug. 8, 2023, multiple wildfires broke out on Maui. Exacerbated by strong winds, they destroyed homes, businesses, and lines of communication. The town of Lahaina was the most impacted, although there was also damage from smaller fires near Kihei and Kula.
Response:
Lutheran Disaster Response is supporting the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA). The grant will assist their continuing work with fire survivors through the Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center, the resource center CNHA opened within weeks of the fire at the Maui Mall. The center brings service providers, including legal, mental health, government and FEMA support, to one place for survivors to meet with and address their needs. CNHA also operates mobile outreach and provides workforce development training courses. The new grant will enable CNHA to keep the Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center open for 12 months, continuing to care for and serve fire survivors by responding to their evolving needs.
Additionally, Lutheran Disaster Response is supporting Pacific Health Ministry. Pacific Health Ministry provides direct spiritual care and group support to wildfire survivors, and capacity building for local spiritual care providers on Maui in order to provide needed care and support to community members.
Be part of the response:
Pray
Please pray for those impacted by the wildfires in Maui. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.
Give
Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used to assist survivors of wildfires.
To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:
