Msgr. Terrence Watanabe and a volunteer arrange donated meals for distribution at St. Anthony Church, Wailuku. (Courtesy photo)
It’s been nearly two months since wildfires on Maui swept through Lahaina and Kula. The Lahaina fire killed at least 97 people. Dozens are unaccounted for, and thousands have lost their homes. Houses were also destroyed in Kula. To aid survivors, the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation and St. Anthony Church in Wailuku have launched the Maui Disaster Relief Fund to offer financial assistance to victims quickly and directly.
Applications to receive relief funds are available at all 10 Catholic churches on the island and online at stanthonymaui.org/disasterrelief
One form per family or individual is being accepted.
“The applications assess families’ immediate financial needs, including food, water, shelter, rental and utility assistance, along with spiritual, mental and wellness support,” said Msgr. Terrence A.M. Watanabe, pastor of St. Anthony Church and vicar forane of Maui and Lanai.
“Our goal is to ensure that every individual or family member in need receives the help they require,” he said.
Toni Rojas
The Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation last month appointed Maui resident Toni Rojas as the director of Maui disaster relief.
“Any affected individual or family can apply, and the program will be ongoing until funds are depleted,” said Rojas.
As of Oct. 3, the HCCF collected $2,418,337.57 for Maui relief, of which $182,600.00 was designated for Sacred Hearts School, the Lahaina parish school that was destroyed by the fire.
Her position was created to spearhead the ongoing efforts of both the foundation and St. Anthony Church Fund to aid in the recovery of the Lahaina and Kula communities.
Rojas said she has deep roots in Maui and strives to be an advocate for the community. It’s a passion she has followed throughout her career.
She has always worked for employers who were active community supporters “open to opportunities to give back to our island and residents,” said Rojas. “Through my positions, I am consistently looking for collaborations with like-minded individuals and organizations to benefit our residents’ quality of life.”
Since this fund was launched on Oct. 1, she has not wasted any time ensuring that those impacted by the wildfires are assisted as quickly as possible.
“The forms seek intake information about immediate needs, housing and employment status, family size and help already received through organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, Maui United Way and Catholic Charities Hawaii,” said Rojas.
She will also be taking on other tasks such as conducting a comprehensive needs assessment for fire victims; developing community partner collaborations; evaluating available funding and resources including donations and grants and more.
Rojas is working under the direction of Msgr. Watanabe and may be contacted via email at trojas@rcchawaii.org; or by calling 808-244-4148, ext. 227.
For more information about the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation and its disaster relief efforts, visit hawaiicatholiccommunityfoundation.org.
