Airbnb program recruits housing for volcano victims, relief workers

KAILUA-KONA — Airbnb is recruiting hosts across Hawaii County willing to open their doors to residents impacted by the latest Kilauea eruption as well as to disaster relief workers on island lending a hand.

The company activated its Disaster Response Program Friday morning, which offers an easy-to-use platform for hosts who wish to assist in the relief effort and those searching for shelter during a trying and uncertain time.

Hosts and those in need of shelter can access the program at https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/bigisland.

“Through our program, those in need of temporary accommodations are able to connect with Airbnb hosts in the areas of Hawaii County who are opening their homes free of charge through May 31, 2018,” Kellie Bentz, Airbnb’s head of Global Disaster Response and Relief, wrote in an email.

“We encourage hosts in these areas to aid in this effort by listing their available rooms or homes on the platform to help those who have been impacted and to relief workers offering their assistance on the ground,” she continued.

Airbnb first introduced its disaster response concept in 2012 following Hurricane Sandy, which slammed the eastern seaboard and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage.

Since then, the company has utilized its reach into local communities to help provide aid via temporary housing in the wake of natural disasters across the country.

Shawn Pila, who lists a two-bedroom unit in downtown Hilo on Airbnb, received an email from the company imploring him to help.

But Pila had already beaten them to it.

“I’ve got a lot of friends in the Leilani area and just kind of offered it up to them first because they’re kind of like family to us,” he said. “I’ve got a friend that’s leaving today and some actual guests checking in tonight.”

Pila owns a home next door to the unit, in which he’s also housed some of those forced to flee their homes in Puna. He said to date, he’s housed seven people on and off.

It hasn’t been much of a workaround either, Pila explained.

“Since the eruption, I’ve probably gotten a cancellation every other day,” he said. “People are kind of calling a few days prior and canceling.”

Councilwoman Karen Eoff, of Hawaii Island’s 8th District, and her husband own a small vacation rental at the Islander Inn in Kona.

Eoff doesn’t advertise or manage the unit, and said it isn’t listed on Airbnb. But she’s still put it to use.

“I do have a friend who was living right near the Puna Geothermal Venture plant, and he’s had to evacuate and has been in touch with us,” Eoff said. “We’ve offered our condo to him already.”

Shane Peters, president of Peters Communications, which handles public relations for Airbnb throughout Hawaii, said the company is hoping for robust interest islandwide.

He added the May 31 program end date isn’t necessarily set in stone. Airbnb may extend the program into June or even beyond, depending on need and participation.

While Airbnb coordinates directly with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) and can sort out lodging for relief workers through that relationship, the process of placing victims in vacation rentals will be more organic, Peters said.

Once the company figures out what works and what precisely is needed, it will make a decision on an extension of the program.