Q: When the fires struck, how did everything change, and how did you pivot?
A: We had a discussion first thing in the morning after the fires with HCF’s executive leadership team. We knew Lahaina Town had been decimated, and we had activated the Maui Strong Fund. Thankfully, we had established it already, as preparation for a disaster, so all staff were able to just do a complete, 150-percent shift into responding to the fires.
I was getting maybe an email every minute and a phone call every minute. And it wasn’t just me—the entire HCF team was inundated. I was getting emails from people around the country, around the world, wanting to give and support. In 24 hours, we had 3 million dollars in donations, and more than $17 million in four days. The response was so humbling. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Q: What were some of those early interactions like?
A: In the beginning, it was so emotional. Those first couple of days of people reaching out, everyone was so heartbroken. Everyone was just right there with Maui. Everyone wanted to help, everyone wanted to give, everyone wanted to do something.
Calls came in from the continent, from global companies, private foundations, and individuals, people who had lived in Lahaina who are now living elsewhere; they were so devastated. I’d be on calls from California and New York and Texas and Kansas: “We’re doing a fundraiser,” you know, “We’re having a dinner,” or “We’re doing a lemonade stand.” It has been an incredible outpouring of support.
Q: What do you think that response says about the community that surrounds Maui, and the role that HCF plays?
A: I really feel like Maui is getting a world hug right now. People want to help the community—a community that has done so much for them.
And I believe people are calling HCF because we are a trusted organization. They want a place to put their treasure, their energy, where they feel it would get out to the community in the best way possible. To really help with those critical needs, to help the families impacted.
I think that being trusted is the greatest privilege. And it comes with responsibility. We’re taking that responsibility seriously—there’s a whole team evaluating the grant applications, making sure funds are getting to the organizations that will best impact the community where the need is the greatest right now. And, in disasters, that need is evolving. So they are really looking at, where is the need right now? The money that people have generously entrusted us with, where is that best allocated?
Q: How would you describe the Maui community’s reaction to supporting each other in this time?
A: On Maui, when something happens, the community really does come together to help each other. I’ve never seen anything quite like this, but the reaction is the same—everything else fades away, everyone stops what they’re doing, and everyone jumps in and does what they can. I mean, we had people from Molokaʻi come over by boat to deliver things we needed. Everyone just came together and did what needed to be done.
And I want to give a shout out to the nonprofit community. I saw it during COVID and I see it again now, what an incredible nonprofit community we have on Maui. They’ve had disaster after disaster; some of them were just recovering from the pandemic and now we have the wildfires and I’m watching all the executive directors and their staff step up again. It’s a tight group, and I’m really humbled and proud to be partners with them.
Q: What about donors? What role does philanthropy have in a disaster?
A: We have about 100 established HCF funds here on Maui and many of the donor-advised-fund (DAF) donors were some of the first to reach out. They called and they just gave. They’re very connected to the community, and they trust HCF. It was really nice to see.
And this is the same group that reached out during COVID. These are donors who are very committed to Maui, deeply rooted members of the community, members of various boards. In addition to giving, they will also call and say, “Hey, did you hear that this is happening in the community? Just want to give you a heads up, we’re hearing about this gap.” Which is wonderful, to have that back and forth with our donors. Because we’re all in it together. It’s such a complete partnership, in terms of just being there for the community and providing what’s needed.
Q: Can you describe the evolving mood on Maui now? Where are people at? What’s the biggest need?
A: Our community is grieving together, going through the stages. And it’s different for everyone, so I don’t want to speak for the collective. The first month really was a sprint. We were focused on response and reaction. For me, it was getting as much funding in the door as possible, responding to the donors, helping them to give.
I think we were in shock, and then there was a thaw, after that first month, and it’s been pretty much day by day ever since. Now, when I go out into the community and talk to people, all they talk about is how unfathomable it is. We’re looking at what’s ahead of us, and it’s daunting. The gravity of it is heavy. It’s going to be a journey.
First and foremost, the greatest concern is how to keep people here, and how to stabilize their lives. I am concerned about families not being able to stay because, overnight, their house burned down, their workplace burned down, their kid’s school burned down, they lost loved ones. How do you keep them here in a way that is meaningful to them? How do you support them through the many years before they can possibly rebuild? I was at a meeting the other day, and it was pointed out that they can rebuild a house pretty quickly, right? But they must redo all the infrastructure, there’s water, there’s sewage, there’s electric, and sometimes that can take years.
Q: Is there anything more you want people to know?
A: How meaningful their gifts are, and what an impact they’re making on these families’ lives. That’s something I would really want them to know. We’ve been getting stacks of letters at the Maui office. And every night, I open them up and read the letters. Some examples are a kid, writing, “Here’s my allowance for the week” and it would be a $5 bill, or three $1 bills. Something so sweet. I just want people to know that we feel it, that we are grateful. Everyone is sending us their love, and the giving is so heartfelt. That’s been one of the most beautiful things, being on this side as a fundraiser: seeing the depth of heart that’s been in the giving for this one.
This conversation took place in October 2023.