We are relieved to report that ARCS Honolulu member and Maui resident Alanna Bodenstab and her husband are safe in the wake of devastating wildfies on Maui Island. Two homes in Alanna's Kula neighborhood burned in the Upcountry Maui fire (over an hour's drive from the horrific blaze that leveled much of historic Lahaina town in West Maui), and they have taken in friends who needed housing. (Scroll down for ways you can help.)
Fueled by drought brought on by climate change and high winds from a hurricane passing south of the islands, the fast moving Lahaina fire clamed more than 100 lives, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century. By Sunday, three wildfires on the island had being extinguished or contained, but air quality and drinking water are affected, 1,500 people had been evacuated (not counting those staying with fmaily or friends), and thousands were in need of shelter. The Lahaina fire is the deadliest natural disaster in Hawai‘i since statehood. (Tsunamis claimed 96 lives in 1926 and 159 lives in 1946, when Hawai‘i was still a territory.)
The Honolulu chapter is still assessing any impact of the fires on Honolulu Scholars' families or research. Science interviewed some Maui-based scientists. Read the article.
We gratefully acknowledge expressions of concern from ARCS sisters across the U.S. Here are ways people can help:
- Maui United Way - mauiunitedway.org/disasterrelief
- Maui YMCA - https://help.mauiymca.org/
- Hawai‘i Coummunity Foundation Maui Strong fund
- American Red Cross - redcross.org/hawaii
- World Central Kitchen - worldcentralkitchen.org/donate
- Salvation Army - hawaii.salvationarmy.org/
- University of Hawai‘i Foundation funds to assist UH Maui students and faculty affected by the fires
See more options in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Mahalo
