The Hawaiian island of Maui has been hit with ravaging wildfires, destroying buildings and nature of their paths, and has taken some lives. Several American carriers have responded to the disaster by assisting with relief efforts, including Hawaiian Airlines, whose employees recently donated an initial 10,000 kilos of food.
Partnering with local food banks
Unfortunately, the USA may be very acquainted with natural disasters, from wildfires to earthquakes and tornadoes to hurricanes. Wildfires struck the favored island of Maui earlier this month and have displaced many from their homes and families, with some even losing family members. Airlines, which have the potential to be among the biggest providers of assistance, have stepped in and assisted with relief efforts.
Early this week, Hawaiian Airlines announced a brand new partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank to gather and distribute food. Moreover, the carrier donated $50,000 to every food bank and is deploying volunteers to Hawaiʻi Foodbank to assist sort and package donated foods.
“Food access on Maui is an urgent issue and this work will help our nonprofit partners meet the critical have to deliver food and essential supplies to people affected by this devastating event. Our 7,000-strong team is committed to this essential work to assist our Maui ʻohana and neighbors as we proceed to help with the response on Maui.” – Peter Ingram, CEO and President, Hawaiian Airlines
On Tuesday, numerous Hawaiian employees worked at several collection sites to receive donations and prepare them to be distributed. By the tip of the day, greater than 10,000 kilos of baby formula and food, feminine products, diapers, toiletries, canned proteins and meals, rice and grains, non-perishable snacks, peanut butter, and meal bars were collected and given to the 2 food banks.
“We’re blown away by the incredible turnout of donations from the Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana yesterday, especially with such short notice.” Jennifer Onishi, Director of Corporate Relations and Partnerships, Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Additional efforts
By the tip of last week, Hawaiian had evacuated greater than 20,000 people from Maui, with 6,600 people leaving throughout the first day of evacuation efforts. Ten thousand members of the airlines’ frequent flyer program donated enough miles to fill over 9,500 interisland flights, and one other 4,000 flight vouchers were provided by the airline for volunteers and community members to make use of.
The carrier added extra flights to get people off the island and likewise reserved spaces within the cargo holds of aircraft to move essential items like water, blood, medication, mattress pads, pillows, etc. Because the wildfires began, Hawaiian has contributed greater than half one million dollars in money and in-kind donations to relief efforts. The airline can be supporting Maui Ola: A profit concert for Maui, which can be broadcast on Sunday at 17:00 local time.