Hawaii United Okinawa Association and Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai
Sadly, with each day that goes by, the news of the impact of the wildfires on Lahaina is more and more grim. Thousands of people are displaced, homes and businesses are decimated, a historic Lahaina Town is lost, and the death toll fluctuates week after week.
Fortunately, the fires in Lahaina (West Maui) and Kula (Upcountry Maui) did not approach the Maui Okinawa Center in Wailuku, which is in Central Maui. Attorney Sonya Toma, a member of the Maui Okinawa Kenjinkai, has also reported that while all of its registered members are safe, the homes of some Okinawans have been destroyed or damaged by the wildfire.
Amidst the destruction and loss in Lahaina, there has been a strong outpouring of care and concern from all over the world – from Hawaii, from the Mainland United States, and especially from Okinawa. Hawaii’s Uchinanchu families and friends have the Chimugukuru spirit of compassion and generosity – similar to the end of World War II, when Hawaii provided pig, goats, clothing and school supplies to Okinawa, and in 2019, when we raised money to rebuild Shuri Castle.
The members of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (“HUOA”) care deeply for and want to support the survivors of the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula, Maui. In the spirit of Yuimaaru (working together to achieve common goals), many Okinawans have contacted the HUOA, asking how they can donate to help the Maui survivors. Because many in our community feel more comfortable making their donations through the HUOA, we have established the “Yuimaaru Maui” online portal for people to provide donations which can provide financial relief and support to the survivors of the Maui wildfires.
All donations to HUOA’s Yuimaaru Maui fund will be forwarded to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund, which provides financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.
To make a tax-deductible donation online:
- Visit the Yuimaaru Maui (https://bit.ly/yuimaaru-maui) donation page and follow the instructions to make a donation online.
- Select the amount you wish to donate (click on “other” if you wish to donate a different amount).
- You can choose to donate via PayPal or with a credit card.
- Complete the remaining online donation process.
- You will receive a confirmation email once your donation is processed.
To make a tax-deductible donation by mail:
- Make checks payable to: “HUOA”
- Please include “MAUI” in the note on your check.
- Send checks to:
- HUOA
94-587 Uke’e Street
Waipahu, HI 96797
- HUOA
We are also considering ways to support West Maui in the long term. This is only the very beginning of a very long road to recovery. The initial outpouring of support is key, but the long-term support to their recovery is critical and we want them to know that we’ll be there with them in solidarity for the long haul.
The Hawaii United Okinawa Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please also consider sharing this message and information with others who may wish to donate.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Caro Higa at caro.h@huoa.org
or +1(808)676-5400.
| Clarisse Kobashigawa President Hawaii United Okinawa Association | Christine Hondo President Maui Okinawan Kenjin Kai |