#MauiStrong

Aloha family and friends. As most of you know, Kelly and I just returned from a vacation in Maui. And though much of the beauty remains, the rest of the island and all its people are not untouched. The fires physically destroyed Lahaina, but they left an indelible mark on its people. We were lucky enough to see much of the magnificence of Maui but felt it even more so as we spoke with those who call it home. And though they met us with gracious hospitality, their grief, and the weight of the task ahead seeps through. How could it not? We were witness to displaced families living in our hotel and in tents on the beaches. Burnt-out cars still on the roads. Disaster relief stations in our hotel as well and all along the island. Massive semi-trailers of supplies set up in parks along the beaches. And the smell of a burnt town still lingers.

Kelly and I had decided that we would learn how best to help while we were there and then act upon what we learned when we returned home. As we spoke with the Islanders, it was resounding money to a reputable relief organization. Kelly and I could certainly send a couple of hundred dollars, but we thought it better to organize this GoFundMe. And yes, GoFundMe will take some of what is raised but, we knew we could reach more people this way. In this time of Thanksgiving and the holiday spirit, we ask that you contribute what you can. Maybe the cost of one less Christmas present, or maybe this instead of adopting a family this year.

We had also committed to not taking photos of the site. And though boarded up and under police guard, there was one place where we could see part of the devastation. We decided to take the pictures on this page solely for use here. We ask that they not be shared independent of this page of respect.

We set a goal only because we had to but trust people will donate what they can. We will run this through year’s end and then will shut down. The Maui Strong fund is being administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund. Please share as there are so many that will not see this here. Mahalo.