18/08/2023
Maui was home to our Dad for the last 15 years or so of his life, and it has been a sacred place for our entire family for decades. As many of you probably already know, disaster has struck in Maui and the people need our help. We started a GoFundMe which will go directly to victims of the fire in Maui, and it has now reached over $700,000 and itโs still growing. I sit here in a mix of 2 emotions, devastated for the people that are still waiting to hear if their loved ones who are missing have survived, devastated for the people trying to navigate this new reality where they have no home of their own, no car, no job- nothing beyond the clothes that were on their backs as they fled for their lives. Many navigating this new reality with children- I think of my young children and I simply cannot imagine. And yet at the very same time, I am in awe of how humanity can come together. I am stunned by the generosity of perfect strangers to help people in this incredible time of need. I had no idea when I started this gofundme just a few days ago, out of a feeling of desperation that I must do something to get help to the people of Maui, that it would grow to have the impact it has. This would not be at all possible without the help of our close Maui friends, the families of Will Cain and Meri Barnes, who have helped enormously in getting the word out. And of course, it wouldnโt have happened at all without the giving spirit of the over 7,000 people who have donated so far.
My brother Sands, who lives in Lahaina and was fortunate to not lose his home or business, has given us daily updates and although he still canโt believe what has happened to his Maui ohana, he has also relayed an inspiring story of the people of Maui coming together to help. And itโs nothing short of incredible. Sometimes itโs the most awful of situations that indeed reveal the best in people. Sands has spent every waking hour since last Tuesday, using his boat to get supplies from the side of the island that was not impacted by the fire, to the area that was both devastated by the fire and also shut off from access by car. He's one of the many local heroes helping to get people through each harrowing day.
With this great outpouring of love into our gofundme, comes great responsibility to get this money into the right hands. And we do not take this role lightly. If you wish to give, the link is below and just know you are giving to a fund that will go directly to the people impacted the most. -Saje Dyer ๐
Link to donate: https://gofund.me/e13731f9
