Brother’s Brother Foundation is providing grants to MODO For the People and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement to support the local recovery efforts in Maui following the wildfires that destroyed parts of the island on August 8.  The funding is BBF’s latest response to the disaster, which includes two shipments to Hawaii and two grants to other nonprofit organizations.

Before the wildfires, MODO for the People used a mobile health van to provide medical care and prescription medications to Maui residents in underserved communities at no cost to the patient. Currently, the organization’s Disaster Relief Medical Team is providing free medical treatment to anyone impacted by the disaster. Board-certified physicians, physician assistants, and nurses will treat burns, smoke inhalation, trauma, injuries, and any other acute or chronic medical issue. 

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is working closely with state and county leaders as well as local nonprofit organizations and community members to understand the needs in Maui and is distributing aid accordingly. In addition to the grant, BBF has also sent CNHA 14 pallets of baby formula to be distributed to families impacted by the wildfires.  

BBF’s initial response to the Maui wildfires has provided grants to the Maui Food Bank, which is distributing food and hygiene items across the island, and to All Hands And Hearts, which is leading all-volunteer operations on the island.  A shipment of 835 BBF hygiene kits was sent to Kahului for distribution by World Central Kitchen’s on-the-ground workers in Maui.

The Maui wildfires occurred as Hurricane Dora, a category 4 storm, was developing in the Pacific Ocean. Winds from the storm became fuel for the fires which, in some areas, traveled as fast as one mile every minute. At least 2,200 buildings in West Maui were damaged or destroyed. In Lahaina, a historic town in West Maui home to 13,000 people, nearly every building was reduced to ashes. Thousands of locals will need housing for several weeks. The current damage from the fires is estimated at around $6 billion. 

BBF staff continue to assess the needs in Maui as they develop plans for a long-term response.

Updates on BBF’s response to the Hawaii wildfires will be posted on our blog and social media.

If you would like to donate to BBF’s relief efforts in Hawaii, you can do so here. You can also speak to someone in our office by calling (412) 321-3160.