In less than an hour’s notice, the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Maui pivoted to transport 150 hot meals and five vehicle loads of donated supplies to Molokai on March 23, with meals funded by World Central Kitchen and coordinated by Maui United Way, alongside volunteers from the community, Our Kūpuna, Lahaina Strong and Maui Rapid Response. Photo courtesy Maui United Way

Maui United Way has activated the Maui Nui Resilience and Emergency Response Fund to support response and recovery efforts following recent flooding on Maui and Molokai.

The fund has been seeded with $100,000 from Kaiser Permanente, and Southwest Airlines is matching community donations up to $10,000.

In partnership with World Central Kitchen, Maui United Way has supported the distribution of 1,326 meals to residents in remote and underserved areas, including Hana and Molokai, as well as kupuna across Maui County.

Maui United Way has also been coordinating response efforts with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, Maui County and other partners as two kona storms brought widespread flooding.

By activating the fund, the organization said it can more quickly deploy funding to local organizations and grassroots efforts to help residents access food, essential supplies and other immediate needs. The fund also supports coordination among community groups, nonprofits and government agencies, while providing flexible, community-informed assistance as needs evolve.

“Our community continues to demonstrate what it means to show up with aloha for one another in times of need,” said Jeeyun Lee, CEO of Maui United Way. “Your support allows us to continue to pivot, respond and walk alongside our community through recovery.”

“Our Molokai community is proud of our resilience, and knows it is often overlooked during broader response efforts,” said Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, who represents Molokai on the Maui County Council. “Many in our community find it difficult to ask for the help they need, even though we were hit harder than any time in recent memory. Resources must reach our island in ways that uplift our people, our relationships and our way of life. Supporting Molokai means treating it as a priority, not an afterthought.”

Maui United Way is preparing to award $5,000 grants to Mālama Kula and Lahaina Strong to address immediate and emerging needs.

The organization has also mobilized $15,000 in pre-contracted food security support in Hana, helped distribute Maui Oil gas cards for Hana families, and deployed seven internet satellites across Hana and Molokai in partnership with ITDRC to strengthen connectivity during response efforts.

For more information, visit mauiunitedway.org/emergency-response-and-recovery-fund. Donors supporting Molokai-focused efforts are asked to include “Malama Molokai” in the note section when making a donation.

(From left) Wailua Riley and Alyssa Evans of Maui Rapid Response, Maui United Way CEO Jeeyun Lee (kneeling), Belia and Douglas Paul of A Honu Space load up donated supplies for community members and organizations on Molokai. Photo courtesy Maui United Way