The American Red Cross extends its heartfelt sympathies to the people of Hawaii,
whose way of life, rich with traditions and customs, has been forever altered by the
deadliest wildfires in the last 100 years.
Thousands of residents are looking for missing loved ones, having lost their homes and
everything they held dear. Early reports indicate the climate-driven fires destroyed as
many as 2,200 structures, most of which were homes.
While fires continue to burn in some areas, first responders are still conducting search
and rescue efforts, and communities will not reopen until these efforts are completed.
Thousands of people are without electricity while phone service is slowly being restored.
RED CROSS RESPONSE During this uncertain time, the Red Cross is caring for
families 24/7 by providing them with a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional
support.
In coordination with local agencies, trained Red Cross disaster workers are supporting
emergency shelters on the islands of Maui and Oahu. Red Cross shelters also serve as
multi-purpose service centers, helping people access relief supplies, health, mental
health and spiritual care services, supporting with finding loved ones and casework
assistance as people plan their next steps.
The Red Cross welcomes anyone who has been affected by the fires to stop by a
shelter, whether they stay overnight or not, to get a hot meal, charge their phone, and
access other essential support.
Since the fires began, the Red Cross and partners have provided 4,200 overnight
shelter stays in 12 emergency shelters. With the help of partners, the Red Cross has
also provided more than 28,600 meals and snacks to people in need and has
received more than 2,100 reunification information requests, successfully
completing more than 550 of those requests.
More than 300 trained Red Cross disaster workers — from Maui, other Hawaiian
Islands and all corners of the country — are helping now with more on their way.
Disaster workers are also virtually helping people affected by the fires. People on the
Hawaiian Islands want to help, and the Red Cross is grateful for the some 6,000 local
residents that have begun their Red Cross volunteer training since the fires began. If
you are interested in volunteering, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
The Red Cross has been helping people before the fires started and will be there in the
weeks and months to come helping people recover from this tragedy.
FINDING SUPPORT This is a difficult time for everyone affected and it’s important for
people to connect with and support each other. If you or a loved one needs help, reach
out through the Disaster Distress Helpline for free 24/7 support by calling 1-800-985-
5990.
FIND LOVED ONES If you need assistance locating a missing loved one due to the
current disaster, please call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select Option 4.
Follow the voice prompts for “Hawaii Wildfires.” Provide as much detail as possible to
assist the Red Cross in potentially locating your missing loved one. Please note call
volume is high and callers may experience longer wait times.
DONATIONS People are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a
disaster. The first priority of the Red Cross is to provide shelter and support to those
affected — and financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who
need it most. Every financial donation — no matter the size — brings hope to those
affected. For example, $5 can provide a blanket and $10 can provide a meal.
YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross depends on the generosity of the public to assist
families after disasters every day across the country. You can help people affected by
disasters like fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster
Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people
recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-
733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
For those interested in helping people specifically affected by the Hawaii Wildfires,
please write “Hawaii Wildfires” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a
completed donation form to the address on the form or to your local Red Cross chapter.
For more information on the Hawaii wildfires response, including how you can help,
please visit redcross.org.
