LAHAINA, Hawaii—One year after a wildfire destroyed 2,200 homes, killed more than 100 people and nearly entirely wiped away this historic town on Maui, credit unions here are offering an update on the support they have provided to date—and the enormous challenges that continue to lie ahead as the Lahaina community looks to rebuild.
In the aftermath of the wildfire approximately 12,000 people were left homeless—many of them credit union members—and they have spent the last year living in hotels and modular homes or moving off-island.
In the aftermath of the disaster, numerous fundraising efforts were undertaken by credit unions across the country. Locally, the Maui Wildfire Relief Fund was quickly established and donations came in from people across the state and the nation.
Nearly $1.5 Million Raised
Currently, $1,472,098, has been raised, according to the Hawaii Credit Union League.
“In the days and weeks after the fire, these funds were used for immediate needs, such as food, water, 300 gift cards ($50 each), gas gift cards, and financial support for emergency burn and respiratory aid,” the league said.
The funds were also used to purchase 150 cases of bottled water for Upcountry residents. The Maui Wildfire Fund included a $ 1 million grant from FHLB for housing needs, which will be disbursed soon, the league said.
On Dec. 14, 2023, the Credit Unions of Maui & Lanai presented $50,000 to the J. Walter Cameron Center on behalf of the Credit Unions of Maui Wildfire Relief Fund. The donation supports Cameron Center’s Laptop Relief Program, which distributes personal computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones to wildfire survivors who lost their homes. The program has distributed hundreds of devices to those in need, the league said.
The HCUL further reported:
- Five Lahainaluna High School seniors were given $2,000 each from the Credit Unions of Maui’s Wildfire Scholarship program. Scholarships will also be awarded to Lahainaluna’s senior class of 2025.
- Maui Wildfire Relief Fund monies went to help the Makana No Ka Keiki Christmas event for Lahaina children and to aid in the recovery of the town’s historical buildings.
‘Never Ceases to Amaze’
“It never ceases to amaze us how the credit union community and stakeholders immediately rallied together to provide monetary donations, manpower, and unwavering support to those directly impacted by the fires,” Maui FCU President/CEO Clayton Fuchigami said in a statement. “The Hawaii Credit Union League Board's leadership was particularly pivotal, as they spearheaded the initial funding for the Maui Wildfire Relief Fund. We received donations from people, credit unions, business partners/stakeholders, and organizations from across the United States.”
Reflecting on the toll the disaster has taken on the Lahaiana community, Fuchigami observed, “I can't even begin to fathom or fully express the depth of my grief for those who lost loved ones, homes, and lifelong personal possessions. The recovery process, with all its complexities especially the environmental ones, is enduring and profound.”
According to the Hawaii league, Fuchigami sees some headway being made in providing shelter for residents who were displaced, including temporary housing using accessory dwelling units. In addition, the local government is considering a ban short-term vacation rentals to open up long term rentals for residents.
Support from Local CUs
Following the fire, several credit unions on Maui have stepped up to provide support.
Valley Isle Community FCU, for example, provided 41 $1,000 emergency loans with APRs of 90%. VICFCU also made 111 consumer and mortgage loan extensions up to 90 days with “no questions asked,” totaling $1.6 million in loan balances.
Members who lost their homes could continue to draw off home equity lines of credit.
Two employees of Valley Isle Community FCU and a volunteer were directly affected by the wildfires.
No Water for a Month
“While all three were safely evacuated and the employees relocated to temporary housing, the volunteer did not have potable water for over a month,” the league reported. “The three received monetary donations from co-workers and other credit unions nationwide, and grants from other non-profit organizations and disaster relief initiatives. A GoFundMe account was created for them.”
In addition, the league noted the credit union also partnered with Texas-based American Airlines Credit Union to bring in much needed supplies and provided 32 care packages for local first responders who lost their homes in the wildfires
Mortgage Assistance
Another CU that has provided support is Maui FCU, worked closely with families who had mortgages with the credit union and lost their homes in the Lahaina wildfire, according to the league.
Initially, the credit union offered to defer mortgage payments without accruing interest for the first 90 days. Following this period, members were given extensions on a deferral basis.
“Once the insurance company issued the settlement claim checks, instead of parking the money and offering a low rate of return like some lenders, Maui FCU allowed members’ money to earn its highest CD rate until they are ready to rebuild,” the HCUL said. “The credit union will waive mortgage points for existing borrowers who lost their homes to the fire if they choose to make a new mortgage loan with Maui FCU.”
In addition, the $430-million Maui FCU offered emergency relief loans, reduced rate loans, consumer loan deferrals, waived certain fees, and waived early withdrawal CD penalties to members impacted by the fire.
The league said Maui County FCU CEO Gary Fukuroku rolled out a disaster relief fund for cash donations while simultaneously designating credit union branches in Wailuku and Kahului as drop-off points for necessities such as clothing and food. Members affected by the wildfires were also offered low-interest personal loans for up to $50,000 and deferred payments for up to one year.
Fukurou said that today, housing and finances are top priorities.
A Miracle
“Miraculously, Maui County FCU’s Lahaina branch escaped major damage, however, it was in a disaster zone and the credit union set up a temporary branch in neighboring Kaanapali,” the Hawaii league stated. “All the credit union’s Lahaina based staff were safe and accounted for, however several lost their homes in the wildfire.”
Affected employees were each given five weeks off from work to ensure their personal needs were met and that they were ready to return to work.
“Our employees seem to be doing okay and most have found temporary housing, but it’s been hard,” Fukuroku told the league. “One employee’s children have since moved to Las Vegas; others are still traumatized by the whole disaster.”
Mental Health & Welfare
While recovery efforts have been moving slowly, the mental health and welfare of the community is on the forefront, Fukuroku said, adding that Lahaina is a truly special place and to see the community come together has been “inspiring.”
He also noted the support that came from all over the country both financially and spiritually was very much appreciated.
“The credit union community has been so supportive and it shows the people helping people philosophy is alive and well,” Fukuroku told the HCUL.
The league noted that Lahaina was Fukuroku’s hometown and the wildfire destruction was deeply personal.
“Looking back and reflecting on that day, just to see the many lives lost--about 30% were our members--and to see my hometown destroyed leaves me sad and also angry,” he said. “Could it have been prevented? Who is responsible? The answers will eventually come out. In the meantime, the work of recovery goes on.”
Threat from a Smokestack
Fukuroku said the County of Maui just recently opened Honoapiilani Highway to the public. but there is still no access to historic Front Street, which was well known to visitors from around the world. Also recently closed was access to Lahainaluna Road since there may be structural damage to the town's iconic smokestack, which is right next to Maui County FCU’s Lahaina branch.
“Just another hurdle we have to deal with. Our goal is to re-open our original Lahaina location within a year but it will depend on what external factors may happen,” Fukuroku said. “It’ll be a long road back but Maui Strong will prevail. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Lahaina will not either.”
Additional CU Support
According to the league, three Oahu credit unions partnered to support the Maui community in the aftermath of the wildfires. From August 21 to September 1, 2023, Aloha Pacific, HawaiiUSA, and Hawaiian Financial FCUs accepted donations of essential goods and supplies at select Oahu branches.
Other support from credit unions has included:
- Hawaii State FCU offered emergency financial assistance to members affected by the wildfires through loan deferrals, low-rate personal loans, and fee waivers. The credit union, which has two locations on Maui, has also launched a virtual fundraiser to encourage donations to the Maui Food Bank from its employees, members, and the public.
- HawaiiUSA FCU established the Maui Fire Relief Fund. The league reported the credit union far exceeded its original goal of $100,000 by raising $156,073.87 in donations. With HawaiiUSA FCU’s $50,000 contribution, a total of $206,073.87 will be donated to The Maui Strong Fund, administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation. HawaiiUSA FCU also donated $50,000.00 to the Maui Wildfire Relief Fund for relief and recovery efforts of Maui credit unions and donated 200,000 Hawaiian Miles to support those affected by the Maui wildfires.
- Honolulu Federal Credit Union (HOCU) raised $15,000 in support of Maui Food Bank and their wildfire relief efforts. This generous contribution reflects HOCU’s unwavering commitment to helping local communities in times of crisis. “HOCU rallied its employees to contribute and members donated online through HOCU’s website or in-person at any branch,” the league said.
- Member One FCU in Roanoke, Va. donated $5,000 to the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) CUAid disaster relief program, which is working with the Hawaii Credit Union League on disaster relief efforts on Maui.
- SAFE FCU in Sumter, S.C. launched a four-day donation drive, encouraging both employees and members to give any way they could. Through a combination of online contributions, in-branch donations, and the generosity of its dedicated employees, the credit union raised $20,000.
The Road Ahead
As the Hawaii league noted, the “road ahead is arduous, but credit unions are in it for the long run.”
The league said that in addition to myriad financial assistance programs outlined avobe, Maui credit unions are now offering free notary services to residents pursuing wildfire claims under the Maui Wildfire Compensation Program. Judge Ronald Ibarra, former chief justice of Hawaii’s Third Circuit Court, requested Maui credit unions offer free notary service to claimants whether they were credit union members or not, the HCUS said.
Ibarra is administrator of the One Ohana Fund, which was created at the request of Gov. Josh Green, to provide expedited compensation to families who lost loved ones in the Maui fires and those who suffered serious personal injuries.
How to Make a Donation
At the one year anniversary of the wildfires and beyond, the Hawaii league said the credit unions of Maui continue to keep fundraising efforts going.
“Rebuilding the community after the fires will be an ongoing effort for years to come. As Lahaina continues to rebuild, the credit jnions of Maui remain committed to funding projects that support the affected community and its people,” the league stated. “This ongoing effort is crucial to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable recovery.”
