Workers load boxes of food Monday as they prepare the food to be delivered via a helicopter to East Maui communities impacted by the kona storm. Photo courtesy Maui Food Bank

On Monday, the Maui Food Bank, in coordination with the Maui Emergency Management Agency and Maui United Way, reported it was using emergency helicopter flights to deliver food supplies to residents in East Maui following the kona storm over the weekend.

The food bank said it was making two helicopter flights, each capable of carrying about 1,000 pounds of food. Due to food safety concerns, only shelf-stable items could be transported by air.

If road access is restored, the Maui Food Bank’s Mobile Market truck is expected to deliver fresh produce and frozen protein to the Hana community later this week.

Access to the area remains difficult at best. County officials previously reported the Hana Highway was open to emergency and local traffic only, but an alert issued later Tuesday night saying the highway was closed at Twin Falls to all traffic due to storm damage.

Maui Food Bank said it will continue monitoring requests from partner agencies and respond to additional community feeding needs as they arise.

The organization has also been coordinating with MEMA during daily operational briefings.

On March 12, MEMA requested potential support for shelters at Lahaina Civic Center, in Kihei and at Maui High. Beginning Saturday, Maui Food Bank provided emergency food supplies to shelter operations.

Deliveries included emergency snack bags to the MEMA basement and shelters at Maui High and the South Maui Community Park Gym. Additional supplies were later distributed to the South Maui gym shelter.

Over the weekend, the food bank supplied 221 emergency snack bags to shelter residents. A follow-up check on March 15 found supplies remained adequate, and no additional food assistance was needed at that time. Meal service at shelters has been provided by the Salvation Army.

Maui Food Bank said it will remain in close coordination with MEMA as recovery efforts continue.