Disaster Recovery & Community Support in West Maui

On August 8, 2023 a series of wildfires broke out on Maui, Hawaii that were especially destructive to the historic town of Lahaina. Due to the number of fatalities and vast destruction, the Lahaina Wildfire is now deemed the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century. 102 people lost their lives, with entire families among the fatalities, and more than 2,000 homes and buildings were destroyed.

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Shortly after the disaster, a Peace Winds team arrived in Maui to aid survivors and assess the needs on the ground. Peace Winds staff distributed relief supplies at temporary shelters and gathered in-kind donations for wildfire-affected pets and pet owners.

Since then, with nearly $2 million from donors in Japan and around the world, Peace Winds has aided the long-term recovery process and helped support local community groups. We partnered with six local organizations to fund activities including psychosocial support programs, legal counseling for Maui’s immigrant community, and veterinary care and supplies distribution for animals. Peace Winds also underwrote the construction of a play space for Lahaina children living in temporary housing at Ohana Hope Village.

Then, in 2026, Peace Winds’ TY Management Fund regranted $750,000 from a generous donation by Tadashi Yanai to support 20 community organizations playing critical roles in West Maui.

Check out the blog posts below to learn more about our work.