Where and How to Volunteer on Maui: Help Maui Recover

What Happened on Maui?

On August 8th, a devastating tragedy struck our beautiful island of Maui, as a wildfire engulfed the historic town of Lahaina, reducing it to ashes. The flames, sparked by multiple fires on that day, were mercilessly fanned by strong winds and exacerbated by the arid conditions caused by a passing hurricane south of the islands. This catastrophic Maui wildfire, now described as the nation’s deadliest wildfire in a century, carved a path of destruction spanning approximately 3.5 square miles through Lahaina.

The consequences of the Lahaina wildfire have been dire. Initially, over 12,000 residents were displaced and forced to seek shelter in hotels and vacation rentals for a year or longer. The estimated capital exposed is a staggering $5.52 billion, with 86% of the burned structures being residential. In the Upcountry region of Maui, another 678 acres succumbed to relentless flames, with 96% of the affected buildings being residential.

Since 2023, our island has been grappling with the immense scale of this catastrophe. In the immediate aftermath of the Maui fires, our primary focus was on providing essential support—serving countless meals and securing housing for displaced residents who lost their homes and livelihoods. The road to recovery is long and arduous.

The Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina outlines projects for the short term (1-2 years), mid term (3-5 years), and long term (6+ years). This plan is the result of months of collaboration with residents and stakeholders, marking a significant step forward in rebuilding with resilience and heart.

 

Why Does Maui Need Tourists to Visit?

In the wake of the devastating Maui wildfires, a profound and unexpected phenomenon took place. Fueled by the raw emotions of local residents, government officials and agencies, and even prominent celebrities, a powerful message emerged—a plea for visitors not to come to Maui. This outcry stemmed from genuine concern over limited island resources, a need to grieve, and the shock of watching our beloved, historic town of Lahaina burn to the ground.

However, the unintended consequence of that heartfelt plea caused a disastrous blow to the economy. With tourists canceling reservations en masse, businesses across the island found themselves dealing with a near-total absence of bookings and the obligation to refund hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Maui residents across the island faced reduced work hours, layoffs, and closures of beloved businesses. As our community grappled with the aftermath of the wildfires and the economy suddenly plummeted, the narrative shifted quickly to welcoming Maui tourists to visit everywhere but Lahaina Town, in order to stimulate jobs and revive the economy. That way, our community could continue to support and help our West Maui and Kula ’ohana recover while also making ends meet in the rest of our homes.

 

What Can Visitors Do to Help Maui Recover?

VISIT– Stimulate our economy and allow job availability so we can continue to help our own neighbors in need.

DONATE– Monetary funds are imperative for our ongoing relief efforts. There are many different options for where to donate.

VOLUNTEER– Take a few hours or a day of your vacation to help those in need. 

 

How To Volunteer on Maui Respectfully and Intentionally?

• Do not take pictures
• Do not request interviews
• Be mindful that those you’re interacting with may have lost more than you can even comprehend
• Only come with the intention to help and not to glorify yourself
• Make it a point to learn about our island’s culture and heritage before you fully engage with those in deep suffering
• Ask for consent. If you want to share about your volunteerism in order to spread awareness of ways to help on Maui, do not snap any photos without the consent of those around you

Visit our full blog about visiting Maui in a respectful and responsible manner, which is extremely important during this recovery phase we are moving through.

 

Where Can Tourists Volunteer During their Maui Vacation?

Taking just a few hours or even a day to extend a helping hand and volunteer on Maui can make an immeasurable difference for those who find themselves displaced and starting anew in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. The needs of these individuals and families are ever-evolving, but you can be part of the solution. From grassroots initiatives created by our caring local community to well-established agencies dedicated to providing essential needs and support to our island ‘ohana, your volunteerism or donations can bring comfort and hope.

 

Support one of these verified reputable organizations by volunteering on vacation:

 

Grassroots Organizations

 

Hungry Heroes Hawaii–  Preparing and serving nourishing meals to the unsheltered and displaced from multiple community kitchens and partner restaurants, providing supplies, and restoring communities with healthy meals, supply chains, and kitchens. Volunteering right now includes preparing and delivering meals.

• Website: HHHMaui.org
• Needs include making meals for fire survivors, displaced, houseless and hungry as well as farming programs, shelters, and more. Fill out Volunteer Form
• Partnered with the Chef Hui – providing restaurant-quality meals for delivery, students, and displaced families

 

Hua Momona Farms– Fulfill a great need to provide meals to displaced families & those affected by the Lahaina fires. From farm to table, they strive to nourish these families in the West Maui area by preparing meals packed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Volunteer roles include farm work, meal assembly & farming.

• Website: HuaMomonaFarms.org
• Email: volunteer@huamomonafarms.com
• Check the Farming volunteer schedule and sign up

 

Maui Rescue Misson– A mobile resource center offering hot showers, laundry services, mailbox access, and more to the unhoused community here on Maui, which has greatly increased since the fires. The hygiene trailer has bathrooms as well as washers and dryers. Volunteers can assist in sanitizing the bathroom after each guest showers, helping out with laundry, and sitting down with someone to talk story to provide emotional support. 

• Website: MauiRescueMission.org
• Sign up on the Volunteer page. Shifts are Monday-Thursday with a variety of starting times and outreach options

 

Pacific Birth Collective– Connecting displaced expecting moms and families with young children with resources. If you are a birth worker or provide pre- and postnatal care, they could use your help!

• Website: PacificBirthCollective.org
  Learn of current needs by filling out: Volunteer Form

 

The Spirit Horse Ranch– This ranch aims to foster healing, mental wellness, and resilience through evidence-based, trauma informed care equine-assisted therapy. Their tasks include bringing horses in from corrals, brushing, cleaning, and caring for them to ensure they are ready for clients. During sessions, volunteers will also stay nearby to clean up droppings and keep the pens clean for clients

• Website: TheSpiritHorseRanch.org
• Learn more and sign up here

 

Hale Kau Kau– Alleviating hunger by providing nutritious meals to the hungry and homebound in a safe, loving, and supportive environment. Hale Kau Kau has been feeding the hungry since August 1991 and we have served more than 1.5 million meals. Hale Kau Kau has served a meal daily, 365 days a year for more than 32 years.

• Website: HaleKauKau.org
• Sign up to volunteer and they will be in touch with opportunities

 

Roots Reborn Lahaina– Volunteer as a translator to help Maui immigrant fire victims with disaster assistance through Roots Reborn Lahaina, Maui’s Immigrant Aid Hub.

• Website: RootsReborn.org
• Sign up to volunteer and they will be in touch with opportunities

 

Maui Rapid Response– This is a combined effort between Maui Rapid Response, Maui-Mutual-Aid, Maui-Strong, and other nonprofits and direct-aid organizations. Their primary focus is coordinating and assisting those in need, but most volunteer options are for local residents to consistently help.

• Website: MauiRapidResponse.org 
• Learn of current needs here

 

Local Organizations

 

Kako’o Maui | Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement– Kākoʻo Maui is providing resources that can be deployed quickly and efficiently to our Hawaiian and local communities impacted by the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

• Website: CNHA’s HelpingMaui.org
• Find a volunteer shift at a Distribution Center to help with supply requests, inventory, and organizing

 

Hands on Maui– The County of Maui’s online volunteer hub where numerous organizations list their needs. Multiple volunteer agencies have shared where and how volunteers can help within their Maui Fire relief efforts.

• Website: HandsOnMaui.com
• Sign up and make a profile in order to respond and register for shifts or needs

 

Maui Nui Strong Volunteer Listing Hub– The ultimate resource for Maui County, including Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lana‘i. Originally an online COVID-19 resource, this has evolved into a vital community resource connecting residents, businesses, and visitors to valuable information, resources, and opportunities.

• Website: MauiNuiStrong.info
• Search through the current catalog of volunteer opportunities

 

Feed My Sheep- Actively working with the Maui County Emergency Operations Center to provide food where needed. As new opportunities arise to volunteer on Maui, Feed My Sheep updates their HandsOnMaui profile.

• Website: FeedMySheepMaui.com
• Sign up on HandsOnMaui.com for volunteer opportunities, or “Call Scott at 808-872-9100” according to the website

 

Maui Humane Society– Maui’s hub for animal rescue and rehabilitation, this organization is imperative to helping aid pets hurt during the fires, and reconnecting owners with their lost pets. They could use plenty of volunteers with receiving, sorting, and distributing donations for the affected animals and families.

• Website: MauiHumaneSociety.org
• Email: volunteer@mauihumanesociety.org
• Drop-in volunteers are welcome during open hours (Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), stop by the front office to sign in and grab a name tag, and then search for our Drop-In Volunteer Stations placed around the shelter!
• For more specific volunteer needs, watch the orientation video and apply to volunteer

 

Maui Food Bank– Providing support and food assistance to those displaced. In the Warehouse,  you can help sort, pack, and distribute safe and nutritious food to those in need.

• Website: MauiFoodBank.org
• Email: info@mauifoodbank.org
• Sign up to volunteer in the link above

 

Maui United Way– A non-profit organization on Maui since 1945 connecting the right people to the right resources to address Maui’s most vital needs in deeply impacted communities. Currently providing grants to individuals displaced by the fires. As of 9/3/23, there are not many visitor volunteer options, but check back!

• Website: MauiUnitedWay.org
• Email: Makana@mauiunitedway.org
• Learn of current needs by filling out: Volunteer Form at the bottom of the page

 

Global Organizations (Currently Assisting on Maui)

 

All Hands and Hearts- Providing sustained long-term support, guided by the needs of the community. Currently, this includes assisting with fire debris removal for Maui homes that are ineligible for other removal assistance.

• Website: Allhandsandheart.org
• Must create a profile in the Volunteer hub to find opportunities. Additionally, check their profile on the Pointapp.org to sign up

 

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)- The Department of Health is coordinating efforts for healthcare providers to support the West Maui Community. Asking for health care provider colunteers (MD, PA, APRN, NP, RN or Behavioral Health Practitioner) interested in helping.

• Website: Details on the Hawai MRC
• Email: mchv@doh.hawaii.gov
• Register Here to volunteer 

 

Habitat for Humanity in Maui- Although rebuilding homes hasn’t begun yet, volunteer assistance is needed at their ReStore—a home improvement store and donation warehouse that sells new and gently used building materials and household items. Donated items are resold at a fraction of the retail price, with proceeds supporting their building programs.

• Website: Habitat for Humanity: ReStore Volunteer
• Call 808-242-1140 or email volunteer@habitat-maui.org
• To be added to the volunteer list for when the rebuilding phase begins, sign up here

 

Red Cross- Red Cross disaster teams are working 24/7 to provide those displaced by the fires with a safe place to stay, food to eat, and emotional support. Must undergo a fast background check to volunteer. Immediate needs for the Red Cross have calmed down, but opportunities are still present.

• Website: RedCross.org
• Email: volunteerpacific@redcross.org
• Apply to volunteer 

 

Where is the Best Place to Donate that Will Really Help Maui?

Every organization listed above is in need of monetary donations to continue their relief efforts on Maui. Additionally, we recommend these Maui Funds that we can confirm are directly helping our West Maui and Kula ‘ohana in need.

 

Overall Needs:

• Maui Strong Fund through the Hawaii Community Foundation- Assisting with immediate and long-term needs such as: shipping fresh food, temporary shelter support, rental deposits, mobile medical clinics, gift cards for youth needs, transportation, grief support, power substations, internet access stations, shelter and supplies for animals, refrigerated food trucks, and the list goes on…
• Kāko‘o Maui Fund through the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement- Aiding Maui-based relief efforts for Native Hawaiian organizations, small businesses, ‘ohana, and cultural groups. Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by their partners doing critical work on Maui.

 

Grants and Funds Helping with Immediate Needs:

• Maui Fire and Disaster Relief Fund through Maui United Way- Providing a one-time $1,000 grant to those directly impacted by the fires. Requirements apply to receive this fund.
• Maui Fires Fund through Maui Economic Opportunity – Finding long-term housing for those displaced by the fires for a minimum of 6 months, fully paid for through the Maui Fires Fund.

 

In closing, it’s crucial to emphasize that the essence of volunteering on Maui lies far beyond self-gratification or the desire for social media accolades. When choosing to volunteer on this beautiful island, the primary intention should always be rooted in giving back rather than taking. Take the time to learn about the island’s culture and heritage before immersing yourself in the lives of those who are suffering.

So, when you decide to volunteer on Maui, do so with a humble heart, a genuine desire to help, and an unwavering commitment to leaving the island better than you found it. And if you’re eager to make an impact beyond Lahaina Fire Relief, consider these additional volunteer opportunities on Maui that are always welcoming new support.

 

• Looking for great places to stay on Maui? You’ll save by BOOKING DIRECTLY with the owners/managers of these accommodations.

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Happy Travels!