Hawaii Fire Survivors Relief and Recovery

Dear Friends,

In historic Lahaina town, in Maui, Hawaii, thousands of families remain displaced after the devastating fire that burned across the island in early August 2023.

After the fire, when the shock of the event took a toll on local residents and government officials, Asia America Initiative took immediate action to fill gaps in the relief and recovery programs.  We were able to offer federal, state, and local government agencies protection gear and face shields that were donated or purchased that complied with safety standards. With our friends at the San Francisco Bay Area-based One World Institute, the industrious Maui Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce, and Honolulu's Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Asia America Inititiative made sure we could offer the best in comfort, food, and safety/hygiene supplies possible to suddenly-homeless Hawaiians.

Asia America Initiative and our partners provided emergency food, hygiene, protective face masks and basic health care items in a toxic smoke-filled environment for more than 1000 displaced families and rapidly purchased and distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to more than 500 first responders.

"After our initial response, during the first few months of recovery,  AAI remained vigilant and worked with local leaders of all races, genders and skills, including the Fire Department of Maui, to make sure that no one was forgotten or left behind," says Albert Santoli, the AAI President and a veteran of many relief operations. "We cannot sit back and watch while our American brothers and sisters lose hope, but it often takes government time to collect the funds needed and safely deploy their own employees and volunteers."

AAI specializes in long-term inter-cultural cooperation among the people of diverse heritages. In Hawaii they include native Hawaiians, American citizens from mainland U.S., Filipinos, Japanese, Pacific islanders and Latin American migrant workers.We continue to engage local leadership with broad community involvement to build strong partnerships. Now, as election season begins and taxpayer monies have begun to be distributed to the communities affected,  AAI's role has been achieved. We are ending this particular program, but remain vigilant for future emergencies as they arise.

Our role is completed in this case.  But we have been a light in the darkness, in large part thanks to you, our GlobalGiving donors. Families who were in dispair, were able to pull together and and find their footing.

Thank you for your ongoing contributions. If you would like to continue your support of our global work, or are interested in becoming a long-term sponsor with a monthly donation, please click the link below. Your support helps families recover and build new lives after catastrophe.

Wishing you peace,

Albert Santoli,
Director