In the wake of the devastating wildfires on the island of Maui, the radio community continues to mobilize to provide support and raise funds for the affected residents. Two more significant efforts have emerged to contribute to the recovery process.
Hawaiʻi Public Radio is canceling its fall membership drive, with a new goal of fundraising for those affected on Maui. The NPR affiliate has planned a two-day live fundraiser to bolster recovery efforts on August 24 and 25. All proceeds from this fundraising event will also go to the Maui Strong Fund, which has already awarded more than $4 million to local nonprofits assisting the community.
HPR President & General Manager José Fajardo said, “This is the deadliest natural disaster our Islands have experienced. HPR is dedicated to using our statewide broadcast reach and global digital reach to continue to support our Maui community in this time of great need.”
Meanwhile, on the east coast, Davis Media’s 98.3 The Penguin (WUIN) has initiated a GoFundMe page to gather donations for those impacted in Maui inspired by musician Lukas Nelson and his band Promise of the Real. In 2018, Nelson helped WUIN’s metro area of Wilmington, NC recover from Hurricane Florence. Since the artist calls Maui home, the station is returning the kindness and has raised more than $17,000 at the time of print.
The funds will be directed to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund, supporting shelter, food, and other essential services. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo praised the efforts, saying, “Today, Lukas’ hometown is experiencing its own natural disaster, so I encourage those who can repay his kindness by supporting those affected by the wildfires on the island of Maui.”
WUIN PD Beau Gunn echoed that sentiment, saying, “Lukas and his band showed our community compassion in our time of need, so I just felt compelled to start this fundraiser in an effort to show him our community was there for him the same way they were there for us.”
