With the number of dead still increasing, fundraising efforts to help victims of the devastating Lahaina wildfires on Maui in Hawaii are continuing in the Denver metro area.
The wildfire, which started on Tuesday, Aug. 8, was fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane and took the island community by surprise.
So far, 114 have been confirmed dead as a result of the fire and thousands more have been displaced. Hawaii's governor said Friday that more than 60 percent of the disaster area had been searched and that he expected the number of dead to increase.
In the meantime, local businesses in Denver have come up with creative ways to contribute to Maui wildfire relief efforts. Some have tied donations to purchases of certain items. Others have asked for donations in the form of money or supplies.
Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa, who owns and operates No Ke Aloha, a Polynesian restaurant in Aurora, is helping direct donations to grassroots organizations at the forefront of relief efforts. She also plans to host a donation drive focused specifically on items for children like diapers and baby formula.
Medeiros-Tuilaepa, who has strong family roots on Maui, said she's heard from those on the island ask specifically for women's hygiene products and supplies for kids. She said folks are also struggling to find places to store supplies so they could be dispersed gradually.
"This is going to be for the long haul," Medeiros-Tuilaepa said. "It's a marathon, not a sprint. While supplies might be okay now, months from now there's still going to be a need."
Right now, No Ke Aloha is collaborating with neighboring business Launch Pad Brewery to brew a beer they had previously collaborated on: Maui Mahina, which means moon in Hawaiian. Once it's ready in two to three weeks, proceeds from sales of that beer will go toward Maui relief efforts.
How to help in the Denver metro:
Pi'ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado - Pelekikena (president) Lisa Kelekolio told the Denver Post that the club will be accepting donations at its charity golf tournament on Aug. 25 and its Ho'olaule'a - Hawaiian festival.
Denver Beer Co. - The company is donating 100 percent of each purchase of the seasonal Maui Express Coconut IPA beer to the Hawai'i Community Foundation.
Urban Egg - The restaurant is donating $3 from each Maui Waui Mimosa and Fred's Hawaiian Pancake to the Maui Food Bank.
JEWISHcolorado - The organization is collecting funds through the Hawaii Wildfire Fund launched by the Jewish Federations of North America.
Koa House - The Littleton-based Hawaiian spa is collecting supplies and funds and donations.
Colorado PI Community Collective - The Colorado Pacific Islands Community Collective launched a fundraiser to support first responders and organizations on the ground.
Other ways to help
Donations can be made to the following groups:
