September 15, 2023
In the few short weeks since we launched the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund, we have raised over $400,000 as of 9/12/2023! Mahalo for your generous contributions as we support our Dharma friends and Maui residents affected by the devastating wildfires. The outpouring of aloha has been inspiring and healing for our community. We are grateful for your continued support as we help the members of Lahaina Hongwanji and others along the long road to recovery.
The Committee on Social Concerns has made the following donations from the funds collected to support relief efforts and individuals impacted by the wildfires. Omimai is an expression of caring and concern for those affected by this disaster.
Organizational Support
| $10,000 | Hawaii People’s Fund Maui Aloha |
| $5,000 | Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kāko’o Maui Fund |
| $5,000 | Maui Mutal Aid via Grants Central Station |
Omimai
| $1,400 | Rev. Ai Hironaka of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission |
| $1,000 | Rev. Gensho Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission |
| $1,000 | Rev. Takayuki Meguro of Lahaina Shingon Mission |
We have also processed $2,000 Omimai for each member of Lahaina Hongwanji and other members of our Hawaii Kyodan Ohana who have been impacted by the wildfires totaling $210,000. The Maui Wildfire Emergency Response Ad-Hoc Committee provided the list of recipients.
Immediate Emergency Relief
Through our Social Welfare Fund, we were able to immediately support relief efforts on Maui in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, giving $28,000 to various organizations and affected individuals. Your generous support of our Annual Social Concerns Fund Drive ensures we have the ability to respond quickly when disasters strike.
| $10,000 | Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund |
| $10,000 | Maui Food Bank |
| $5,000 | Hawaii Red Cross |
| $1,000 | Makawao Hongwanji to support evacuees and first responders at local evacuation center with food and water. |
| $1,000 | Rev. Ai Hironaka of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission (Omimai) |
| $500 | Rev. Gensho Hara of Lahaina Jodo Mission (Omimai) |
| $500 | Rev. Takayuki Meguro of Lahaina Shingon Mission (Omimai) |
Support from Japan
The Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, our headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, also generously made an initial contribution towards our relief efforts.
- 10,000,000 Yen for Hawaii Kyodan
- 1,000,000 Yen for the State of Hawaii
Honzan has also launched a fundraising campaign and are actively soliciting donations from those who reside in Japan. https://www.hongwanji.or.jp/news/cat5/002152.html
Monshu Kojun Ohtani, Urakata Lady Ruzumi Ohtani, Monshu Emeritus Koshin Ohtani, and Urakata Emeritus Lady Noriko Ohtani also sent messages of condolences and sympathies to Rev. Ai Hironaka and Lahaina Hongwanji members.
The Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist Women’s Federation of Japan provided financial aid to Hawaii Kyodan to be used by Rev. Ai Hironaka to purchase the necessary robes and supplies for his ministerial duties.
You can find additional updates on the Maui fire disaster from Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, including ways to donate, by using the shortcut link http://honpahi.link/fire.
Mahalo for your continued support! Your Dana is truly making a difference during this extraodinary time of need.
In Gassho,
Rev. Blayne Higa, Chair
Committee on Social Concerns
About HHMH Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund
If you’d like to help Lahaina Hongwanji families displaced by the wildfires and support relief efforts on Maui, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii has established the Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund with three convenient and secure ways to donate:
- via PayPal https://hongwanjihawaii.com/donate/
- via GoFundMe https://gofund.me/ff77a520
- via Check payable to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
with memo: Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief
Mail to: Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813
About the Maui Strong Fund
If you’d like to donate to support relief efforts on Maui today, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii recommends the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund—100% of your donation goes directly to grants awarded to on-the-ground relief efforts by local and national relief agencies on Maui. https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong