Donate online:
Hawaiʻi state and local officials recommend donations of cash to reputable non-profit organizations active in Hawai‘i, which will allow the non-profits to buy and provide exactly the goods and services required to meet the needs of survivors.
Local leaders said that while gifts of food, clothing and other physical items are appreciated, the sheer volume of goods donated has begun to overwhelm some groups that have been accepting such donations.
Deliveries of donated items have been made by sea to Maui, but vehicles have been unable to take them away from the dock to where survivors need them, emergency workers reported Saturday.
Reputable and high-impact organizations accepting online donations are listed below.
- Maui Strong Fund
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation started a Maui Strong Fund to support residents affected by the wildfires, which firefighting crews continue to battle in Lāhainā, Pulehu/Kīhei and Upcountry areas. Individuals can donate at can be made at www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.
There is a credit card processing fee, but HCF will not take an administrative fee, and 100% of the money will be given to the service provider.
Nonprofits seeking funding can email a request to mauistrong@hcf-hawaii.org.
(Full disclosure: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation is an underwriter of HPR.)
- Maui United Way
Maui United Way is accepting donations to its Maui Fire and Disaster Relief fund at https://mauiunitedway.org/disasterrelief.
- Kākoʻo Maui
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has partnered with Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies and Kākoʻo Haleakalā to support those affected by the wildfires. Online donations are open at www.HawaiianCouncil.org/Maui.
- American Red Cross
Gifts to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund enable the Red Cross to prepare for and respond to crises like wildfires. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Donations can be online at the Red Cross donation page.
- Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The HSCADV is raising money for Maui DV advocates and staff. All donations raised here will go directly to the displaced staff so that they can meet their basic needs and start to rebuild as they work to support survivors experiencing domestic violence. Online donations are open at https://hscadv.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/11501
Avoiding scams
Attorney General Anne Lopez urges residents to exercise caution when choosing where to send their money and donations.
“I know that the people of Hawaiʻi will come to the aid of our families, neighbors and communities,” Lopez said. “We are already seeing various fundraising efforts being promoted on social media platforms and online. In moments of crisis, we all must be extra vigilant against bad actors who try to take advantage of people’s goodwill.”
Only donate to trusted, well-known charities. If someone is fundraising on behalf of a charity you are familiar with, the best practice is to donate directly to that charity.
Any charity that solicits donations in Hawaiʻi is required to register with the Department of the Attorney General. You can verify a charity’s legitimacy here. The attorney general also suggests using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, Charity Navigator and DCCA Business Search.
Stay away from suspicious donation requests and be aware of scammer’s tactics, including:
- Rushing you into making a donation
- Asking you to make a donation using cash or gift card; most legitimate charities will accept credit card and check donations
- Using names that sound similar to the names of real charities
- Making vague and sentimental claims without giving no specifics about how your donation will be used
For updates on the Maui fire, see below:
