How Food Banks Responded to the 2023 Maui Wildfires

Updated 8/16/23

What’s happening in Maui? 

Our hearts are with the people of Hawai’i as catastrophic wildfires broke out in Maui on August 8. More than 100 people have lost their lives and hundreds of structures have been damaged. Lahaina—a seaside business and tourism hub that was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom—is destroyed, per the Maui County mayor. Crews have begun to sift through the ashes to identify belongings and loved ones.

What are food banks and Feeding America doing? 

Feeding America network members, the Hawai’i Foodbank and Maui Food Bank, are responding to the swift and unexpected wildfires. They continue to assess the status of their own networks of food pantries and meal programs, two of which have been destroyed by the fires. The Maui Food Bank has established distribution sites with food available for people fleeing the fires, as the Hawai’i Foodbank works with their shipping partners to coordinate transportation logistics to get additional food to Maui. Both food banks are working to establish food drives across Oahu and Maui to help support our neighbors who have been impacted by the disaster.

Feeding America is moving disaster boxes of ready-to-eat meals, snacks and water that were pre-staged to support network reliefs efforts by our West Coast partner food banks. So far, thousands of pounds of food, water, hygiene kits and more have been sent to Maui, with many more on the way in the coming days and weeks. Additionally, Feeding America is working with national donors to secure further food and fund support for the recovery effort. 

What can I do to help? 

To support the recovery efforts, please follow the social media profiles and guidance available on the Hawai’i Foodbank and Maui Food Bank websites. Please limit any direct phone or email requests as they continue to coordinate their local emergency response efforts. 

If you prefer, you can support Feeding America’s Hawai’i Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund to help our partners on the ground in Hawai’i with emergency food and supply distribution.