HAWAI‘I WILDFIRE RECOVERY and RESILIENCE RESOURCE GUIDE

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Hawai‘i Wildfire Resources

On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, a terrible combination of drought conditions and hurricane weather led to widespread wildfires across the Island of Maui and Hawai‘i Island. On Maui, families were forced to evacuate, many escaping with only the clothes on their backs. Downtown Lahaina was largely devastated, businesses and homes have burnt down. Many other communities on Maui and Hawai‘i Island have also been affected, people have been displaced, and there has been loss of life.

Our hearts go out to the people, communities, and businesses affected by the Hawai‘i wildfires.

Below are community resources and organizations we gathered that can assist individuals with concerns that are often exacerbated by natural disasters. These could include resources for disaster assistance, mental health support, unemployment assistance, domestic violence resources, financial assistance, health care services, and more. These resources are culturally and regionally specific, and designed to lift up, promote, and support through connectivity. 

This resource directory continues to grow as we learn more from our community partners. For the most up to date list, please visit our website here. 

The AANHPI ‘Ohana Center of Excellence is your source for empowerment, education, and support for individuals seeking behavioral healthcare, including mental health and substance use resources. We center (w)holistic and cultural approaches to serving the needs for Pacific Islander, Asian American, and Native Hawaiian communities. 

You may contact us anytime at [email protected]. 

For those looking to donate, the local Maui community has asked that monetary donations be made instead of supplies, as donation coordination has been difficult. Please see the donation section at the end of this guide.

Last updated October 11, 1023

As a resource center, the AANHPI ‘Ohana Center of Excellence provides access to resources and information on this website. Inclusion in an AANHPI CoE resource database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, the contents by AANHPI CoE.

In addition, we recognize that this resource collection may not be exhaustive, and users are advised not to rely solely on it. The AANHPI ‘Ohana Center of Excellence does not claim to be the authority on any resources we provide, and we highly recommend consulting with elders, community leaders, or helping professionals who are knowledgeable about AANHPI cultures and experiences to ensure alignment with specific ethnic or cultural needs when seeking resources.

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Guide Menu

DISASTER RESPONSE GUIDES

County of Maui, Maui Nui Strong – Support for Maui Wildfire Relief – https://www.mauinuistrong.info/getsupport/

Refer to this website for all the most up to date resources available to you, including:

  • Animal Support
  • Business Relief
  • Emergency Relief
  • Financial Assistance
  • Food & Supplies
  • Government Aid
  • Keiki & Mothers
  • Medical Care
  • Mental Health
  • Temporary Housing
  • Transportation
  • Unemployment & Jobs

 

County of Maui, Maui Recovers – For Maui Wildfire Survivors – https://www.mauirecovers.org/

Refer to this site for the most up to date information about:

  • Re-entry to impacted areas
  • Safety and returning to your property
  • Water and wastewater
  • Damaged vehicles in public right-of-way
  • Fire debris removal
  • Soitac
  • Recovery Phases
  • Maps & Data

 

State of Hawai‘i Department of Health – Maui Wildfire Response – https://health.hawaii.gov/mauiwildfires/ 

Refer to this site for the latest resources and updates regarding:

  • Medical and Behavioral Health
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Vital Records and ID Replacement

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING DISASTER RECOVERY & RESILIENCE

Aloha United Way, 211 – https://auw211.org 
211 provides information and referrals about recovery resources and services to Hawaiʻi residents, which operates seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Programs and resources include shelters, healthcare, food, school closures and much more. 

  • Call, text, or chat 211 

 

Maui United Way – https://mauiunitedway.org/

 

Kako‘o Maui – Resource Center and Distribution Center in Kahului – https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/helpmaui/mauiresources/

Kākoʻo Maui is providing resources that can be deployed quickly and efficiently to our Hawaiian communities impacted by the Maui wildfires.

 

Hawaiian Community Lending – https://hawaiicommunitylending.com/kadfund/

The Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund is dedicated to safeguarding the indigenous kānaka maoli of Maui and other parts of Hawaiʻi from displacement.

 

Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund Grantees – https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund

A list of local organizations who are on the ground helping the people and places affected by the Maui wildfires.

 

Papa Ola Lokahi – Maui Ola https://www.papaolalokahi.org/news/maui-ola

 

Hawaii Children’s Action Network – https://www.hawaii-can.org/maui_resources 

LAHAINA RE-ENTRY SUPPORT & INFORMATION

County of Maui – Maui Recovers – https://www.mauirecovers.org/

State of Hawaii, Department of Health – Maui Wildfire Response – https://health.hawaii.gov/mauiwildfires/

HEALTH CARE & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Hawai‘i CARES 988 – https://hicares.hawaii.gov  
Local crisis counselors are available 24/7 via phone, text, or chat to connect you with resources for mental illness, substance use, suicide prevention, as well as services for children and adolescents. 

 

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health, Maui Community Mental Health Center 
Offering crisis mental health services and expanding hours to those experiencing emotional or psychological distress as a result of the Maui wildfires.

Hours: 7 days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For after-hours support, please call 988. 

  • Phone: (808) 984-2150 
  • Email at [email protected] 
  • In person at 121 Mahalani Street in Wailuku, HI 

 

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health, Lāhainā Comprehensive Health Center

Lāhainā Comprehensive Health Center continues to provide mental health services, first aid and wound care, pharmacy services, laboratory service, eye care, and insurance support.

  • Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Phone: 808-495-5113
  • In person at ʻĀkoakoa Place, below the Lāhainā Civic Center

No appointment is necessary for clinic services and insurance is not required. Mobile visits are also available, covering neighborhoods from Leialiʻi to Honokohau Valley.

Community partners include Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center, Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Mauliola Pharmacy, VSP Optometry Services, Maui Optix, and Clinical Labs Hawaii.

Click to download a Lāhainā clinic flyer:
English | Ilokano (Ilocano) | 日本語 (Japanese) | Español (Spanish)

🗣️ Services available in multiple languages. 

 

(Maui) Hui No Ke Ola Pono – https://hnkop.org/

Based on Maui, a private, not-for-profit community-based health enhancement, disease prevention and health care center. We provide programs on nutrition, health management and health care referrals for the community of Maui in a culturally caring manner.

  • ‘Imi Ola Hou – Family Practice Primary Care (Maui)
  • Phone: (808) 244-4647

 

National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawai‘i – https://namihawaii.org/

NAMI Hawaii provides free support, education, information and resources.

 

Child & Family Service – https://www.childandfamilyservice.org/programs/ccss/ 

Comprehensive Counseling and Support Services – A child abuse prevention and treatment program, providing a broad array of services to meet the needs of children and their families.  The goal is to help parents or caretakers, children at risk, foster families or reunited families live in a safe, permanent home.

 

Hawai‘i UTelehealth, Hawai’i State Rural Health Association – hawaiiutelehealth.org.

 For those impacted by the Maui wildfires, Hawai‘i UTelehealth offers free & confidential telehealth services. Virtual mental health & substance use counseling.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement – Host Housing Support Program – https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/hostfamily/

The Host Housing Support Program provides financial assistance to households offering housing to individuals and families displaced by the Maui wildfires.

 

Hawaiian Community Lending – https://hawaiicommunitylending.com/  

Our long-term goal is to assist those impacted on Maui to rebuild their homes. We are here to support residents throughout this journey, providing guidance, resources, and assistance every step of the way.

 

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. – https://www.meoinc.org/  

Rental & Mortgage Assistance – Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., (MEO) administers several County, State and Federally funded housing assistance programs and grants. Each program has different guidelines and requirements to best serve our community with different levels of need. Each application received is reviewed by a Housing Specialist to determine what current program may be available to best meet the client’s needs.  

 

The Department of Hawaiian Homelands – https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/  

  • Address: 655 Kaumualii St. Suite 1, Wailuku 
  • Phone: (808)760-5120 

  

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Program – https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kupuna/  

 

Unemployment Benefits

On Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 7:00 a.m., the enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) Call Center expanded to include an option for those affected by the Maui Wildfires. Individuals can reach the call center at (808) 984-8400.  Claims can also be filed online at https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov.

 

American Red Cross – Apply for American Red Cross Financial Assistance – redcross.org/hihelp

 

FEMA – https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4724  

The Hawai‘i Wildfires have been approved for FEMA assistance.  

The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. 

“Help After a Disaster” Brochures 

Translated into 27 languages, the “Help After a Disaster” brochure is a tool that can be shared in your community to help people understand the types of FEMA assistance that may be available to support individuals and families in disaster recovery.  

 

FOOD ASSISTANCE

WIC Resources for Maui – https://health.hawaii.gov/wic

Families with small children (or expecting a child) that have lost income due to the Maui wildfires (or any other reason) may be eligible for the nutritional assistance provided by the WIC program.

 

Maui Food Bank – https://mauifoodbank.org/ 

Please visit their website for the most up-to-date information about where food distribution sites are.

  

Hawai‘i Island Food Bank (The Food Basket) – https://www.hawaiifoodbasket.org/  

 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/snap/  

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as Food Stamps, provides supplemental food benefits for qualifying Hawai’i residents. SNAP is a federally funded program administered by the State of Hawai’i Department of Human Services (DHS). 

🗣️ Services available in multiple languages. 

KEIKI & FAMILY

State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services, PATCH – https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/blog/list-of-child-care-options-for-maui-families-affected-by-the-recent-fires/

A list of child care options for families affected by the fires in Maui is now available. PATCH, the state’s designated Child Care Resource & Referral Agency, worked with licensed and registered providers to determine who is still operating and providing care.

Hawai‘i State Department of Education – Fliers to with information on how to enroll your keiki in school.

🗣️ Information in multiple languages. 

(Tongan) Kapau ʻoku taʻepau ho nofoʻangá, ʻoku ʻikai fie maʻu ia ke taʻepau hoʻo akó. Te ke lava ʻo LESISITA ʻi he akó!

(Tagalog) Kung walang katiyakan ang iyong bahay, ang iyong pag-aaral ay hindi kailangang gayon din. Maaari kang MAGPATALA sa paaralan!

(Spanish) Si su vivienda es inestable, su educación no tiene por qué serlo. Puede INSCRIBIRSE en la escuela!

(Marshallese) Ñe ejellok imōn am jokwe, jikuul eo am ejab aikuj. Kwōmaron KADELOÑ etam ilo jikuul!

(Korean) 믿고 의지할 집은 없을 수 있지만, 학교는 그렇지 않습니다. 누구라도 학교에 등록할 수 있습니다!

(Japanese) 住居が不安定でも、学校教育もそうである必要はありません. あなたも学校に入学することができます!

(Ilokano) Nu haan nga natibker ti pagyanam, haan nga masapul nga kasdiay met ti eskwelam. Mabalin ka nga agpa ENROLL ti eskwela!

(Hawaiian) I loko nō o ka noho paʻa ole, e kūpaʻa ma ke kula. Hiki nō ke KĀINOA no ke kula!

(Chuukese) Ika ese fat nonnomun imwom, iwe om sukun esap pwan ina usun. En mi tongeni FITI sukun!

(Cebuano) Kung dili lig-on ang imong balay, dili kinahanglan nga mao pud ang imong pag-eskwela. Pwede ka MAG-ENROLL sa eskwelahan!

(English) If your housing is unstable, your schooling doesn’t have to be. You can enroll in school!

Simplified Chinese

Traditional Chinese

 

Association for Infant Mental Health Hawaii – https://aimhhi.org/ 

First Steps & Best Practices After a Disaster guide that can be really helpful for people navigating the immediate aftermath. (PDF download) 

 

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers numerous resources for parents, caregivers, and educators supporting children, youth, and families impacted by wildfires: https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/wildfire-resources 

 

Piplo Productions 

Free book resource for kids and parents to begin talking about the fires- viable in different languages https://piploproductions.com/stories/trinka-and-sam/trinka-and-sam-fires/ 

 

SAMHSA: Leading our school systems & communities through and after wildfire – https://mhttcnetwork.org/sites/mhttc/files/2020-10/Final%20Wildfire%20Resource%20Doc%20%282%29.pdf  

 

Office of Wellness and Resilience

 

Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response

 

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES

Domestic Violence Action Center – https://domesticviolenceactioncenter.org/ 

O‘ahu Helpline: (808) 531-3771 
Toll-free Helpline: (800) 690-6200 
Text Line: (605) 956-5680 

 

Child & Family Services Domestic Abuse Hotlines 
Oʻahu: (808) 841-0822 
West Hawaiʻi: (808) 322-7233 
East Hawaiʻi: (808) 959-8864 

 

Women in Need – https://winhi.org/ 

Assisting women and their families with transitional housing and other services. 

 

Women Helping Women – https://www.womenhelpingwomenmaui.com 

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and needs help or work like to speak with someone about domestic violence, confidential help is available 24 hours a day.  

KŪPUNA (ELDER) SERVICES

Maui County Office on Aging 
95 Mahalani Street, Room 20 
Wailuku, HI 96793 

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Program – https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kupuna/  

SAMHSA – Helping Older Adults after Disaster (pdf download)

LGBTQIA SERVICES

Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) – https://www.hhhrc.org/ 

HHHRC serves Hawai’i communities by reducing the harm and fighting the stigma of HIV, hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and poverty in our community. We focus our efforts on those disproportionately affected by social determinants of health, including but not limited to: people living with and/or affected by HIV, hepatitis, substance use, and the transgender, LGBQ and the Native Hawaiian communities. We foster health, wellness, and systemic change in Hawai’i and the Pacific through care services, advocacy, training, prevention, education, and capacity building. 

LOOKING to LEND SUPPORT?

Office of Wellness and Resilience

If you are a Hawai‘i licensed clinician, the Office of Wellness and Resilience is managing several volunteer sign ups for those who can help at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eFJDRWJqFSsqujbn3IkP-FB5PSYDPYp3

 

For those looking to donate, the local Maui community has asked that monetary donations be made instead of supplies, as donation coordination has been difficult. Please see the donation section at the end of this document 

 

Aloha United Way 

100% of the proceeds to Maui United Way, whose partner agencies, such as Maui Food Bank, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, are distributing relief funds according to the community’s most urgent needs. 

 

Kākoʻo Haleakala & Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement 

CNHA is partnering with Kamehameha Schools, Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies and Kākoʻo Haleakalā to match up to $1,000,000 in community donations for ʻohana impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui. 

 

Hawaiʻi Community Foundation – Maui Strong Fund 

The Maui Strong Fund was created to provide community resilience with resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui. 

 

Hui no ke ola pono – Native Hawaiian Health Care System Maui 

After a disaster, people come together to help. To make the most of your contributions, it’s important to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. Please visit FEMA.gov for tried and true best practices that will give you a starting point. 

If you have items to donate, time to volunteer in support of a nonprofit, or cash to give and have questions, email the FEMA Donations Unit. 

To find a list of trusted organizations, additional information on donations and other resources, visit National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. 

When disaster strikes, often people react with increased anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, or other strong feelings of distress. With support from community and family, most of us are able to bounce back. However, some may need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties.

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the nation’s only hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 (call or text 1-800-985-5990) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Callers and texters are connected with trained and caring professionals from a network of crisis centers across the country. Helpline staff provide supportive counseling, including information on common stress reactions and healthy coping, as well as referrals to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support.

Visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline for additional information and resources in disaster behavioral health. For any questions, or requests for free copies of DDH materials for distribution in any disaster-related or other community-based setting, email [email protected].

DDH Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990

  •   Available 24/7/365

  •   3rd-party interpretation services available to connect

    crisis counselors and callers in 100+ languages

  •   Direct crisis counseling in Spanish available 24/7 via

    ‘press 2’ hotline option

    DDH Videophone for ASL Users

 For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and for whom American Sign Language (ASL) is your primary or preferred language, use your videophone-enabled device to call 1-800-985-5990 or click on “ASL Now” at disasterdistress.samhsa.gov to be connected with a DDH crisis worker fluent in ASL.

DDH SMS: Text to 1-800-985-5990

 Available 24/7/365
 Standard text messaging / data rates apply

(according to each subscriber’s mobile plan)  Direct crisis counseling in Spanish available

24/7 via ‘press 2’ hotline option

DDH Online Peer Support Communities

 Private Facebook groups where people across the U.S. impacted by disasters can connect with others from similar backgrounds/experiences for mutual aid and support during recovery.

 For more information and to learn what groups are available & how to join, visit: https://strengthafterdisaster.org/peer-support/