Na Kia`i O Maui secures $82,000 from Rotary Fire Relief Funds to purchase equipment
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The Rotary District 5000 Foundation has allocated $82,000 for the purchase of equipment for Na’ Kia’i O Maui in response to the Maui fires relief efforts.
Initially serving as a central hub for receiving, sorting and distributing donated goods from the harbor to 29 other distribution points, the facility underwent a transformation when those centers closed.
Nettie Aquino and her husband Dean reimagined the hub into a furniture donation center aimed at helping fire survivors who are not eligible for FEMA assistance. Many of these individuals are transitioning into more stable housing but lack essential furnishings.
Contributions come from hotels, homeowners' associations and private donors. Fire survivors can schedule appointments to select furniture for their new homes, which is then delivered to them. The funds were used to meet the operational needs of this center, with a focus on acquiring a forklift and a heavy-duty truck.
The forklift will be utilized daily for loading and unloading donated goods that will then be delivered to those in need of furniture and household items. The newly acquired truck will play a crucial role in transporting construction materials for future housing projects, greatly improving their ability to offer stable living solutions for the people of Maui.
"Anyone can make an impression, but Na Kia`i O Maui seeks to always make an imprint - leaving a lasting legacy of aloha with those we serve," Nettie Aquino said.