HAWAI‘I WILDFIRE RECOVERY and RESILIENCE RESOURCE GUIDE

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.

Feel free to download and use these graphics when sharing this guide

COMMUNITY GUIDES

Maui Nui Strong – Website provided by the County of Maui with resources and support for Maui communities and people who want to help – https://www.mauinuistrong.info/

Maui Rapid Responsehttp://mauirapidresponse.org/

Maui Mutual Aid Guide – click here

Office of Wellness and Resilienceclick here

DISASTER COMMUNICATIONS

Maui Emergency Management Agencyhttps://www.mauicounty.gov/70/Emergency-Management-Agency 

County of Mauihttps://www.mauicounty.gov/ 

Hawaii Emergency Management Agencyhttps://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/  


Radio Updates

Beginning August 11, 2023, radio stations on Maui will air County of Maui updates on the Lahaina wildfire incident. Radio updates will supplement information posted on the County website, Facebook, and Instagram pages. Broadcasts will occur at 9 a.m., 12 p.m, and 3 p.m. each day.

Maui radio stations include the following:

  • Pacific Media Group
    • KPOA FM 92.9 (west side)
    • FM 93.5; KJKS FM 99.3 (west side)
    • FM 99.9 FM; KJMD FM 107.1 (west side)
    • FM 98.3; KHLI FM 101.7 (west side)
    • FM 92.5; KMVI AM 900
    • FM 102.5; and KNUI AM 550
    • FM 106.1
  • KAOI Radio Group
    • AM 1110
    • FM 96.7
  • KPMW FM 105.5
    • Akaku’s KAKU 88.5

 

Hawaiʻi residents: Continue to follow evacuation orders, listen to the instructions of first responders and officials, and stay alert. Visit ready.gov/wildfires and CDC.gov for resources on how to stay safe during wildfires and protect yourself from smoke. 

Stay informed: Maui County is able to send you emergency alerts via text message, email, pager, or voice mail, based on your preferences. To sign up for Maui County Emergency Alerts and get the latest updates, click here. See the latest updates from Maui County here. 

For updates on evacuations and shelters from the Maui Emergency Management Agency, click here. 

LOCATING LOVED ONES

American Red Cross of Hawai‘i 

  • Find a loved one: call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select Option 4 or visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html 
  • Anyone looking for elderly loved ones or those with serious medical or mental vulnerabilities can call 1-800-RED CROSS to open an Emergency Welfare Inquiry.  
  • Family members can also reach out to local chapters the Hawaii Red Cross’ Restoring Family Links number at 1-844-782-9441 for assistance in locating a loved one disconnected during the fires. 

MEMA Family Assistance Center (Due to privacy, no media allowed inside)

  • Address: Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu St, Kahului, HI 96732
  • Hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Maui Emergency Management Agency and FAC staff will work with families and individuals to gather detailed information and administer DNA swabs.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

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.

For more information on resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Association, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, click here.

Maui Vital Records – replace your ID

  • For individuals impacted by the Maui Wildfires who need replacement vital records, an order may be placed online at https://vitrec.ehawaii.gov
  • A relative may make the order on behalf of the person needing the replacement by uploading a copy of their own government ID (if born in Hawaii) to establish a relationship to the impacted individual. If not born in Hawaii, additional documents may need to be shown to verify the relationship. Permitted relatives can include a grandparent, parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, or cousin.
  • The fee for an affected individual’s first copy of a birth or marriage certificate will be waived with a FEMA disaster assistance ID Number and/or a Lāhainā residential address.
  • For more information please call the Maui Vital Records hotline at (808) 586-4602 Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM or email us at [email protected]

 

Aloha United Way, 211https://auw211.org 
211 provides information and referrals about emergency 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 

 

American Red Cross of Hawai‘i – https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii.html  
Find an emergency shelter, or help finding a loved on who you lost contact with. 

 

Child & Family Servicehttps://www.childandfamilyservice.org/  
Disaster support hotline service. Connect callers with resources and disaster recovery help. 

 

The Salvation Army of Hawai‘ihttps://hawaii.salvationarmy.org/hawaii_2/maui-location/  

The Salvation Army is coordinating and providing meal service at Maui hotels and providing Emotional and Spiritual Care teams throughout the island. The Salvation Army also has a presence on site at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to provide help with unmet needs for residents who registered for federal assistance.

  • FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
  • University of Hawaii Maui College
  • 310 W. Ka’ahumanui
  • Kahului, Maui.

Click here for a link to our The Salvation Army Maui website.

 

 

SAMSHA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline  

Disaster Distress Helpline – The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. 

🗣️ Services available in multiple languages. 

MENTAL HEALTH & CRISIS COUNSELING

Hawai‘i CARES 988https://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. To receive emergency services, contact Maui CMHC. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

We will have expanded clinic hours on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate immediate needs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For after-hours support, please contact Hawai‘i CARES 988. 

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

National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawai‘i – Free Peer Support Groups

NAMI HI Peer Support Groups are free, confidential and safe groups of people living in recovery. Our support groups are evidence based programs led by individuals trained by NAMI Standards. We believe in helping one another by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom, renewing a sense of hope for recovery.  All of NAMI Hawaii programs are FREE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

  • Maui Strong Support Group
  • ZOOM:
    • Saturday, August 19, 2023 10 AM on Zoom
    • Saturday, August 26, 2023 10 AM on Zoom
  • IN PERSON:
    • Tuesday, August 22, 2023
    • Tuesday, August 29, 2023
  • Register or for more info: [email protected]

 

Catholic Charities Hawai‘ihttps://www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/counseling-mental-health/  
Our counseling programs offer individuals, couples and families the support they need to build healthy relationships and enhance personal wellness. 

 

Child & Family Servicehttps://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. 

O‘AHU: (808) 681-1467 
91-1841 Fort Weaver Rd. Ewa Beach, HI 96706 

KAUA‘I: (808) 245-5914 
2970 Kele St. Suite 203 Lihue, HI 96766 

MAUI COUNTY: (808) 877-6888 
293 North Market St. Wailuku, HI 96793 

SAMSHA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline  

  • The Disaster Distress Helpline is available to help 24/7 if you or a loved one are feeling stress, anxiety, or loss — no matter where you are located. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for support.

 

COMMUNITY MANAGED RESOURCES – we have not verified each resource and cannot guarantee the accuracy

The ComeBACK Formula – A Resilience Building Guidebook – 

‘Aha Hōʻīnana Ola – 10 day ceremony for Maui

Pregnant & Postpartum mamas affected by the Maui Wildfires. Mana Mental Health (@mana_mental_health on Instagram) is offering FREE individual counseling sessions for mamas who are pregnant or postpartum. **All sessions virtual or by phone-all islands**. With Dr. Kalena Lanuza, Family & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner & Certified Lactation Counselor. Services: Counseling, Medication Management, Lactation Counseling. Call or Email. 971-251-2081. [email protected]www.manamentalhealth.com.

Mental Health America Hawaii (@mhahawaii on Instagram). Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746. To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

Hawai‘i UTelehealth, Hawai’i State Rural Health Association. (@hawaiiruralhealth on Instagram). “For those impacted by the Maui wildfires, Hawai‘i UTelehealth offers free & confidential telehealth services. Virtual mental health & substance use counseling. Email [email protected], call (808)375-2745, visit hawaiiutelehealth.org.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

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.  

 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) loans may also be available to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies or meet their necessary financial obligations. Disaster loans help restore businesses to pre-disaster conditions, and, in some cases, protect from future disasters. They cannot be used to expand or upgrade businesses and cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss. Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for SBA loans to repair or replace disaster-related damages to homes or personal property.
  • If you sustained physical damage to your business of any size, you may be eligible for up to $2 million in Business Physical Disaster Loans for the repair or replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment and all other physical losses.
  • If you are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to the SBA to apply for low-interest loans to replace or repair disaster-damaged real estate and personal property including automobiles.
  • The deadline to apply for SBA physical damage loans is October 10, 2023.
  • Small businesses, small agricultural businesses, and nonprofits that have not experienced physical damage but have sustained significant economic losses as a result of the fires, may be eligible for up to $2 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to meet necessary financial obligations. The deadline to apply for EIDL is May 10, 2024.

To apply for any SBA loan, you must first register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov.  After registering with FEMA, businesses and homeowners who would like to apply for SBA loans should visit DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.

More information is available at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov. Questions should be directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center via email at [email protected] or phone at 800-659-2955, Mondays through Sundays from 4 am to 4 pm, Hawai‘i time.

 

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.

  • When individuals contact the UI Call Center, they will be presented with the option to select their desired language and then an option to file a claim. The first option is Option Zero, which is for those affected by the Maui Wildfires. Individuals can choose “0” to reach a UI employee who will assist them with filing their unemployment insurance claim via the telephone.
  • In recognition of the devastating Maui Wildfires, the requirements to make three job search contacts and register for work on HireNetHawaii are waived for only those affected. These waivers begin once the claim is filed. The UI Call Center will also be expanding its hours to seven days a week and operating from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The UI Call Center continues to offer interpreter services to limited English proficient individuals. Individuals can go to the Maui American Job Center in Wailuku to file their unemployment insurance claims using the computers there.
  • If your employment, including self-employment, was lost or interrupted due to the fires, visit huiclaims.hawaii.gov or call 808-984-8400 to apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
  • Additional unemployment benefits related to the disaster are provided by the federal government for those individuals who do not qualify for the state’s unemployment insurance program. For more information on the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, including benefit levels, visit oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp

 

 

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 Homelandshttps://dhhl.hawaii.gov/  

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

  

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Programhttps://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kupuna/  

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Maui Food Bankhttps://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. 

HEALTH CARE SERVICES

State of Hawaii Department of Health – https://health.hawaii.gov/mauiwildfires/

West Maui Coordinated Care Clinic

DOH’s Lahaina Health Center continues to provide general medical care, prescription refills, and mental health services. The Lahaina clinic is open seven days a week from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Contact the Lahaina clinic:

  • Phone: 833-833-3431 or 808-586-4468
  • In person at Akoakoa 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.

Participating community partners include Mauliola Pharmacy, Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center the Hawaii Independent Physicians Association, Maui Optix and Hui No Ke Ola Pono.

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

🗣️ Services available in multiple languages. 

Maui Community Mental Health Center (CMHC)

Located in Wailuku, help is available to support individuals impacted by the wildfires. Open Monday-Friday from 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM. 

Contact the Wailuku clinic:

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

The Hawaiʻi CARES crisis line is available 24/7 by calling 808-832-3100 or 1-800-753-6879, or calling, texting, or chatting 988.

Click here to download a Wailuku clinic flyer.

🗣️ Services available in multiple languages. 


(Maui) Hui No Ke Ola Ponohttps://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) 

 

Hawai‘i MED-QUESThttps://medquest.hawaii.gov/  

The State of Hawaii Med-QUEST Division (MQD) provides eligible low-income adults and children access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans. 

🗣️ Services available in multiple languages. 

 

Papa Ola Lōkahi – Naloxone guide 

🗣️ Information available in multiple languages. 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES

Domestic Violence Action Centerhttps://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 Needhttps://winhi.org/ 

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

 

Women Helping Womenhttps://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.  

KEIKI

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

 

Kama‘aina Kids – https://www.kamaainakids.com/news/free-emergency-childcare-on-maui

In response to the recent devastating fire that swept through parts of Maui, Kama‘aina Kids, a leading provider of childcare and educational programs, is offering free emergency childcare services at the Kama‘aina Kids Maui Evangelical Preschool located at 256 Hina Ave, Kahului, HI 96732, for children aged 2 to 5 from 9 AM to 3 PM daily, effective Thursday 8/17/2023. This initiative aims to assist families directly impacted by the fire and to provide essential support for emergency workers who are tirelessly serving the community.

Kama‘aina Kids Maui Evangelical (Hina) Preschool can be reached at 808-877-6604.

Register at https://kamaainakids.jotform.com/232257351475962

 

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)

KŪPUNA (ELDER) SERVICES

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

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Programhttps://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/