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Communities across Hawaii are digging out after the worst flooding to hit the state in more than 20 years, and multiple organizations are collecting donations to support households, farmers and animals affected across the islands. Gov. Josh Green said two Kona low winter storm systems roughly a week apart unleashed deluges over soil too soaked to absorb more rainwater, damaging farmers’ crops, hundreds of homes, several schools and one hospital.
Green also said the storms “impacted every county in our state and stretched our emergency response capabilities,” and that he has asked President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration to channel federal resources to the recovery effort. Other groups have been mobilizing to help residents secure temporary housing, replace food, receive medical care and clear debris from flooded homes, the Associated Press reported.
“So many families have been displaced, homes have been damaged, and communities are facing immediate needs,” said Hawaiian Council CEO Kuhio Lewis. “The path to recovery begins now — it cannot wait.” The campaign list below reflects organizations accepting financial support for flood relief efforts, according to the AP.
For families and individuals, Lahui Foundation said it is accepting donations for its mutual aid work distributing supplies and financial aid to Oahu’s North Shore families, and organizing volunteers to clean out homes and neighborhoods. The group also said North Shore-born musician Jack Johnson directed people to the foundation in an Instagram post.
Aloha United Way on Oahu said it has activated its Community Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance to individuals and families and support nonprofit organizations on the front lines. Maui United Way said it is helping communities on Maui and the smaller neighbor island of Molokai, while Hawaii Island United Way said it is collecting donations for households on Big Island and asks supporters to note that they want their gift used for flood relief.
The Hawaiian Council said it launched the Kako’o Oahu initiative to provide housing stability services, financial assistance and other future needs, and that it is matching up to $200,000 in donations. The Hawaii Community Foundation said it activated its Stronger Hawaii Fund to deploy resources across the state for response, recovery and future resilience, while Maui Rapid Response said it is using funds to deliver mutual aid to underserved communities on Maui and Molokai, including people who are homeless and areas temporarily cut off by flooding.
Some organizations are also using donation hubs to route money quickly. GoFundMe created a hub of verified fundraisers for those impacted by the Hawaii floods, and Help Maui Rise said it is keeping a spreadsheet of donation opportunities for people directly affected that is vetted by community members.
Animal relief groups said they are responding in flooded areas and supplying pet food and other needs for displaced families. On Oahu, Hawaiian Humane Society said it is responding in flooded areas and providing pet food and supplies, accepting monetary donations and updating an Amazon wishlist as needs arise. On Maui, Maui Humane Society said it is collecting donations to support help for remote communities such as Hana, which was temporarily cut off from aid due to washed out roads, and the island of Molokai.
Farm and medical relief efforts were also highlighted. Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation launched the Hawaii Flood Response Fund to help farmers across the state recover, rebuild and restore Hawaii’s local food system, and Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii estimated statewide farm damages exceed $15 million so far. For health care, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii and Hawaii H.O.M.E Project said they set up mobile health units on Oahu’s North Shore, working with partners including Direct Relief, which is helping distribute water purification supplies, antibiotics, insect repellant, tetanus shots and other medical items.