What Happened and Why It Matters
Earlier this month, communities across Hawaiʻi were hit by the worst flooding the state has seen in more than 20 years. Two Kona low winter storm systems (less than a week apart) dropped overwhelming rainfall onto already saturated ground, damaging farmers’ crops, hundreds of homes, several schools, and even a hospital here on Maui.
State leaders estimate total damages from both storms could exceed $1 billion, and Gov. Josh Green requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump to unlock additional federal resources for long-term recovery. As neighbors, whether you live here full-time or you’re visiting and love Hawaiʻi, we’ve all been watching one thing unfold in real time. People showing up for each other. That spirit is powerful, but the work ahead is still big. This post is meant to be a practical, community-first guide to where help is needed most right now, and which trusted organizations are actively doing the work on the ground.
Before You Donate: “Do the Most Good” Guidelines
If you’re feeling the urge to help immediately, you’re not alone. The best starting point is choosing the kind of support that creates the least friction for responders and the most impact for families.
Monetary donations are usually the fastest, most flexible help. Official emergency guidance in Hawaiʻi emphasizes financial support because goods donations can clog up logistics if they don’t match what’s needed.
If you want to donate supplies, follow wish lists and instructions exactly. The Hawaiian Humane Society specifically asks donors to check their wish list before purchasing or dropping items off. In fact, unsolicited donations can create real operational challenges during an active response.
Volunteering is amazing, but only when it’s coordinated. Flood cleanup can involve contaminated water, debris, mold risk, and safety hazards. If you want to use your hands, sign up through an established group that can place you where you’re needed and keep you safe.
Where to Donate & Volunteer: Trusted Organizations by Island
The list below is grounded in Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s statewide roundup of verified relief efforts and expanded with each organization’s official donation and volunteer pages.
Oʻahu
Hawaiian Council — Kākoʻo Oʻahu (matched donations)
Hawaiian Council launched Kākoʻo Oʻahu to help flood-impacted residents with housing stability services, direct financial assistance, and evolving recovery needs. Their matching campaign has grown as support surged; as of writing, the Givebutter campaign page lists matching up to $325,000 (check the campaign page for the current cap).
Lāhui Foundation — Mutual Aid, Supplies, and Cleanup Coordination
Lāhui Foundation is distributing supplies and financial support to North Shore families and coordinating volunteer efforts for clean-outs and neighborhood recovery. They also maintain a dedicated flood relief page and an official donation campaign specifically for post-flood recovery.
Aloha United Way — Community Relief Fund
Aloha United Way activated its Community Relief Fund to support immediate needs for individuals and families and to strengthen the nonprofit response network doing frontline work.
Hawaiʻi Foodbank — Emergency Food Distributions + Volunteers
Hawaiʻi Foodbank has been hosting emergency food distributions and accepting both donations and volunteers to keep relief moving.
University of Hawaiʻi Foundation — Support for UH students, Faculty & Staff
Flooding impacted members of the UH ʻohana as well, and the UH Foundation is raising funds to help with basics like safe lodging, meals, and replacement essentials (including school materials like laptops and textbooks).
North Shore Chamber of Commerce — North Shore Flood Relief Fund
The Chamber launched a dedicated flood relief fund intended to support community recovery directly. Note: If the Chamber portal is slow to load, try the Chamber’s main site or their official announcements for donation directions.
Medical and Health Support (North Shore Mobile Clinics)
Mobile health units are operating on the North Shore through Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi H.O.M.E Project, working with Direct Relief to deliver medical and public health essentials. If you want to support this lane of relief, Direct Relief documents what’s being shipped (medical supplies, water purification items, vaccines, and more) and how it’s being deployed.
Maui Nui (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi)
Of course we know that flood impacts weren’t limited to Oʻahu. Maui County was affected in a serious way, and in remote communities like Hāna and Molokaʻi, there are still areas that face real access barriers with roads washed out and utilities being down for extended periods.
Mālama Kula — Cleanup/Community Support + Free Green Waste Bins
Mālama Kula has been organizing cleanup help and providing free green waste bins. One of those practical supports that makes storm cleanup possible for families dealing with downed branches, debris, and unsafe piles. They even helped a family close to the Sayles Team get their 6 day old daughter to a needed doctors appointmen!
Maui United Way — Supporting All Maui County
Maui United Way is supporting communities across Maui County and remains one of the most established ways for donors to support coordinated local recovery work.
Maui Rapid Response — Frontline Mutual Aid for our Most Vulnerable Communities
Maui Rapid Response is using donated funds to deliver mutual aid to under-served communities, including people experiencing homelessness and communities temporarily cut off by flooding.
If you’re looking for a high-impact, community-rooted organization with a proven track record of getting resources directly to people, this is a strong option.
Wishlist via @mauirapidresponse on Instagram / view their full list here
Lahaina Strong — Kākoʻo Molokaʻi Drive
Lahaina Strong is calling for volunteers and donations tied to their Kākoʻo Molokaʻi drive. Because these efforts can shift quickly based on real-time needs, the most reliable place to confirm “what they need today” is their official channels.
Maui Humane Society — Animal Relief Support, Including Remote Communities
Maui Humane Society launched an emergency appeal to support communities like Hāna and Molokaʻi, including situations where animals needed food, shelter support, and immediate care while access was limited.
Statewide Funds for the Biggest, Cross-Island Needs
If you’re not sure where to start, statewide funds can be a smart answer—especially when impacts span multiple counties and the needs keep evolving.
Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation — Hawaiʻi Flood Response Fund
Farmers took heavy losses, and reported estimated statewide farm damages exceeding $15 million at the time of publishing. HFUF’s Flood Response Fund is built specifically to help farmers recover and restore Hawaiʻi’s local food system.
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation — Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund
HCF’s Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund is positioned for statewide disaster response, recovery, and resilience. Not just immediate relief, but also the longer arc of rebuilding stronger systems.
Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi — Storm Recovery Giving
Catholic Charities is collecting donations to support individuals and families impacted by the storms and flooding.
The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division — Distribution Hubs + Assistance
The Salvation Army has been running distribution and assistance operations (including appointment-based support) as part of storm recovery efforts.
American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region — Disaster Relief Support
The Red Cross continues to coordinate disaster response and accepts donations through its Pacific Islands Region giving channels.
GoFundMe — Verified Hawaiʻi Flooding Hub
For those who prefer supporting individuals directly, GoFundMe created a dedicated hub of verified flood-related fundraisers and continues updating it as more are confirmed by their Trust & Safety team.
Help Maui Rise — Community-Vetted Spreadsheet + Direct Giving
Help Maui Rise maintains a community-driven spreadsheet of donation opportunities and also offers donation pathways designed to reach vetted families and individuals directly.
If You’re Visiting Hawaiʻi Right Now: How to Help (Without Getting In The Way)
Visitors can absolutely make a meaningful difference; especially because recovery takes time, and outside support helps local dollars stretch further.
- Donate while you’re here (and again later if you can). One of the most helpful patterns after disasters is “now + later”: immediate relief is crucial, but the second wave of giving often disappears while families are still rebuilding.
- Volunteer only through an organized effort. Avoid showing up unannounced in affected neighborhoods—some areas are still dealing with safety hazards, insurance processes, and privacy concerns.
- Follow official guidance for goods donations. The state’s emergency management resources are clear: don’t drop items at shelters or assembly points unless you’re specifically asked to do so.
Mahalo for Showing Up
In times like this, our strength is unmistakable. We’ve seen neighbors clearing mud together, nonprofits coordinating supplies at scale, and families sharing what they have because that’s what community looks like here. And we’ve also heard the urgency clearly: as Hawaiian Council CEO Kūhiō Lewis put it, “The path to recovery begins now — it cannot wait.”
If you’re able to help, choose one or two trusted organizations from above and commit in the way that fits your life: money, time, or essential goods through the right channels. Most importantly, check the official pages for updated needs before acting, because priorities can shift week by week as recovery moves from emergency response into rebuilding. And as always, please reach out to me personally if I can help guiding your assistance to this tragedy in any way.
Aloha,
Dano
808-870-4899