Last summer, Lana Vierra lost her home in Lahaina to wildfires, displacing her and ten family members. She received assistance from the People’s Fund of Maui, established by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson, and has since received direct payments to help her stay current on her mortgage. The fund raised almost $60 million and dispersed it to over 8,100 adults who were displaced by the wildfires. Many other contributors joined Winfrey and Johnson in supporting the fund, which aimed to help those who lost their homes.
Over the years, the disaster response community has come to trust direct cash transfers as an effective tool to assist those in need. Despite initial concerns about misuse, research has shown that cash transfers are beneficial to recipients who typically spend it on essentials like housing and food. Vierra’s family has been trying to save the money they’ve received from various sources, including a GoFundMe, direct gifts, and a fundraiser initiated by Fox News host Will Cain. They will need this money to rebuild their lives, but their plans for rebuilding remain distant.
Local efforts and mutual aid played a crucial role in providing immediate assistance to those affected by the wildfires, according to Maui-based attorney Lance Collins. Most of Vierra’s family has been staying in hotels, but issues with mental health and uncertainty have been growing among those displaced. To address the housing shortage, state and county governments, along with FEMA and the foundation, announced a $500 million commitment to build 3,000 housing units for displaced individuals. The foundation also committed $50 million to the effort, its largest grant from the Maui Strong fund.
The foundation followed a disaster response plan it had developed in 2019 and has paid out $89 million in grants so far. The focus is on recovery and stabilization efforts that will extend over months and years, providing services, strengthening support systems, and rebuilding with future disasters in mind. Kaimana Brummel suggested making every displaced adult eligible for a direct cash transfer, reflecting the spirit of “kahiau” in Hawaiian culture, meaning to give lavishly with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
Barry Probst, a fourth-generation resident of Lahaina, is using the funds received from the People’s Fund of Maui to repair his car and undergo trauma treatment training. While the world has moved on from the wildfires that affected their community, those directly impacted continue to navigate the aftermath on a daily basis. Despite the challenges they face, the support from organizations like the People’s Fund of Maui has been crucial in helping individuals and families rebuild their lives.
