In response to the wildfires that swept through Maui on Aug. 8, two organizations on Hawaii Island partnered to answer the call for help. Nalani Freitas, chair of nonprofit organization Ka‘analike, and Nellie Medeiros, corporate development and marketing manager of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU), quickly mobilized their resources and kicked off the “Maui Strong” fundraiser on Aug. 11.
In response to the wildfires that swept through Maui on Aug. 8, two organizations on Hawaii Island partnered to answer the call for help. Nalani Freitas, chair of nonprofit organization Ka‘analike, and Nellie Medeiros, corporate development and marketing manager of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU), quickly mobilized their resources and kicked off the “Maui Strong” fundraiser on Aug. 11.
HCFCU offered their Kaloko Branch as the donation drop-off location. Through a collaborative effort involving volunteers from Ka‘analike, HCFCU, and the Royal Order of Kamehameha I Kona Chapter, the once-quiet parking lot was transformed into a bustling donation hub.
Thanks to the outreach of social media and word of mouth, the response from West Hawaii’s community exceeded expectations. In just four days of accepting donations, the site was inundated with personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, supplies and clothing for those in need. The donated items were transported to a base yard where Freitas and her team organized, palletized and packed everything into a 40-foot container provided by Ka‘analike. Upon the container’s arrival in Kahului, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I Maui Chapter handled the unloading and distribution of the donated items.
HCFCU showed their support for the fundraiser by covering the shipping costs for the 40-foot container’s journey from Kawaihae to Kahului. Two anonymous HCFCU board members further amplified the impact by pledging to match staff donations, resulting in over $5,000 contributed by the Kaloko Branch staff. An additional $7,000 in monetary donations poured in from the local community.
Tricia Buskirk, president and CEO of HCFCU, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Our hearts are deeply touched by the outpouring of support from our community during this incredibly difficult time for our neighbors on Maui. Together, in partnership with Ka‘analike and the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, we stand as a beacon of hope for Maui, offering strength and solidarity to those affected by the wildfires. We are committed to helping the community heal and rebuild.”
While the Maui Strong campaign has ended, there is a long road to recovery for Lahaina and the West Maui community. HCFCU and Ka‘anlike encourage members of the community to continue supporting recovery efforts through donations, volunteer work, and simple acts of kindness.
