College of Education > CDS

Message of Support for Maui

CDS would like to express our deepest condolences and heartfelt support for the people of Maui amid these horrific wildfires that have claimed lives and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and beloved home to many. 

We have been in communication with our Triagency partners, Hawaiʻi DD Council and Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, as well as staff from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), our funder, to share information and identify resources to aid in emergency efforts and ongoing recovery efforts. 

We will continue to share information as we look to help mobilize resources for affected individuals with disabilities, their families, and other Maui residents. In the meantime, here are some resources that might be helpful to share with those impacted and with stakeholder groups and your partner organizations. 

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) is in the midst of setting up emergency grants for Maui organizations that may have been affected by the fires or are carrying on emergency response work for those affected by the fires. Maui organizations can email HCF at mauistrong@hcf-hawaii.org with requests or questions.

Other Resources:

For all of you also grieving with friends and family members impacted, please reach out so we can support you. If you would like to add to the available resources on how to assist Maui residents, please send these resources to Holly Manaseri at hmanaser@hawaii.edu as she will continue compiling them. 

On behalf of CDS,

Lauren Lum Ho
Interim Director
Center on Disability Studies (CDS)
College of Education – University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

State / Maui County Official Aggregate Resource Sites​

Funds / Donations

  • Maui Strong Fund (Hawaii Community Foundation) – 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.
  • Maui United Way: Maui United Way has set up a Maui fire relief fund that will go directly to support Maui fire victims.
  • Maui Mutual Aid Fund: A local effort, the Maui Mutual Aid Fund is run by volunteers looking to get funds and support to vulnerable residents, such as kūpuna (elderly), those with physical disabilities, renters and individuals without insurance.
  • Maui Food Bank – Maui Food Bank’s mission is to help the hungry in Maui County by collecting and distributing food through community partnerships.
  • HSTA. Those who wish to contribute money toward HSTA’s Maui fire relief effort to support teachers affected by the Mair fires may send checks in any amount to HSTA. Please make your check out to HSTA and send it to HSTA Attn: Maui Fire Relief, 1200 Ala Kapuna St., Honolulu, HI 96819. *HSTA is not a 501(c)(3) and any donation is NOT tax deductible. To read more on how to support teachers impacted by the Maui Fires see HSTA Maui Teacher Donation Page
  • Public Schools of Hawai’i Foundation – The Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation (PSHF) is partnering with the Hawaii State Department of Education to support our public school communities impacted by the destructive wildfires on Maui.
  • Maui Humane Society – Supporting shelters for displaced people and animals, and caring for injured animals. Emergency fosters also sought.
  • The Salvation Army – Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division: Providing food and resources for evacuees. As the fires in Hawaii continue to upend lives by displacing people from their homes, The Salvation Army is quickly responding with food, shelter, emotional and spiritual care, and other critical services.
  • The Hawai’i Lions Clubs are also mobilizing and collecting donations. All donations are tax deductible. Please make your check payable to Hawaii Lions Foundation and include in the memo “Maui Disaster Relief” or visit https://www.lebh.org/contribute/.

Shelter and Housing Assistance

  • Family Assistance Center – “one-stop shop” of resources and services for those who have been affected by the Maui wildfires
  • Individuals and Households Program (IHP) | FEMA.gov: provides financial and direct services (to meet basic needs and supplement recovery efforts) to eligible individuals and households, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs.

Financial Assistance

  • People’s Fund of Maui – People’s Fund of Maui is providing direct financial assistance to Maui community members experiencing devastating losses from the fires in Lahaina and Kula. Adults (18+) who lost their primary residence in the recent fires are eligible to receive $1,200 a month. 808-427-7777, Assistance Center open from 9/8-9/11 from 8 am – 6 pm at the Westin Maui…….
  • Red Cross Financial Assistance – financial assistance for people affected by the wildfires. Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to speak to a Red Cross representative.

FEMA Resources

Transportation Assistance

  • Free Central Maui shuttle – available starting Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, for people who are staying at any of the county-listed Central Maui shelters. Shelters include War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku, King’s Cathedral in Kahului and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kahului. The shuttle will be available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last pickup). Riders will be required to call Roberts Hawaii for reservations at 808-871-4838. Mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, can be accommodated. Luggage and bags will be limited to what can be carried.

Finding Loved Ones

  • The Family Assistance Center for those seeking information on loved ones and for those who are unaccounted for is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu Street.

Emergency and Disaster Helplines

  • Ready.gov: FEMA offers disaster preparedness information for any/all natural disasters
  • Disaster Distress Helpline (SAMHSA) – The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
  • Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GRADA) has a virtual emergency operations center that supports local disability-led organizations and the disability community through an equity empowerment strategy rather than a charity model. A disability-led organization can submit an application. GRADA can activate and source their global partners to assist in meeting stated needs. 

Employment / Unemployment

  • Business Recovery Center
    590 Lipoa Parkway
    Kihei HI 96753M-F 8-5 pm
    Sat: 10-2 pm
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): Those who do not qualify for unemployment benefits through the State, may be eligible for unemployment benefits from the federal government.
    • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has staff on Maui available to assist persons with disabilities who need help obtaining or maintaining employment due to disability. Resources to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired are also available. (808) 2695104.
  • Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal – Geographic Solutions, vendor for HireNet Hawaii, has built a new one-stop portal to assist Maui residents (open statewide). Through this new integrated portal with HireNet Hawaii, job seekers are able to search for Maui specific job listings, create a resume, and apply for disaster unemployment assistance. Employers are able to search for resumes specifically from Maui residents, post disaster recovery jobs, and analyze market trends.

Family Resources

Child Care Resources

  • Free Emergency Childcare for Families Affected by Maui Fire and Emergency Workers

    Kama‘aina Kids Maui Evangelical Preschool
    256 Hina Ave, Kahului, HI 96732
    (808) 877-6604
    Ages 2-5
    Daily on Weekdays, 9 am to 3 pm
    Walk-Ins are accepted if space is available. Please call in advance if possible to check availability.
    Register Here
  • Project Camp, in partnership with Kama‘aina Kids and Maui Family YMCA, is also offering a day camp at the Maui Family YMCA in Kahului from 9am to 3pm for kids 6-16 affected by the Maui fires. The program is free and includes lunch.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Resources

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources

Mental Health

  • Hazel Health – Community-based provider offering no-cost short-term telehealth services to Hawaii DOE students.
  • TeenLink – Mental health support and services for Teenagers and Young Adults.
  • Hawaii Cares – Hawai‘i CARES 988 is a 24/7, FREE SUPPORT SERVICE for help with CRISIS, MENTAL HEALTH, and SUBSTANCE USE.

Other Resources

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