Here’s how you can help people, Scouting families in Maui after devastating fires

During the second week in August, wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian Islands — predominantly Maui — consuming thousands of buildings and leaving more than 100 people dead.

Scouts in the Aloha Council jumped into action. They found and set up a hospital bed for a man whose house burned down. They collected food, clothing and supplies. They built bulletin boards to help with communication in the devastated city of Lahaina.

Scouts help people in need. It’s what they do.

But sometimes, in disasters, Scouting families need help, too.

How you can help

All the den leaders and most of the families in Pack 363 of Lahaina lost their homes and businesses in the fires. Still, the pack helped with relief efforts, unloading supplies for others.

The Aloha Council set up a donation page for Scouting families and supplies.

You can go on the Aloha Council’s website to donate to the cause, or you can view its Amazon wishlist to purchase needed supplies. You can also use the graphic below to share with others.

Additionally, you can help the council by clicking on its campaigns page, as many of its fall fundraising efforts have been canceled.

Ongoing efforts

Soon after the fires, the Aloha Council opened Camp Maluhia to serve as a shelter for victims, providing a safe place and resources after being displaced.

The council and Scouts organized a trading post of supplies, which they sorted to be distributed to those in need. Girls Troop 180 of Makawao collected gift cards to be handed out to families.

Troop 100 of Kula worked with the VFW Post in Kihei to unload donations. Troop 40 of Wailuku went to its local Scout office to sort out supplies. Pack 12 of Kealakekua set up a storefront drop-off to collect supplies. Troop 325 of Honolulu collected, sorted and packed three large cargo ship containers with supplies.

Boys Troop 18, girls Troop 180 and Pack 18 of Makawao built bulletin boards that were set up in Lahaina. They used their STEM knowledge in the boards’ design to ensure the boards could withstand the wind.

These are just a few examples of how Scouts in Hawaii are helping. Scouts in other states are helping, too. We shared a story about Scouts in Las Vegas raising $8,000 in just 72 hours.