Supporting and rebuilding Maui
(Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)
On August 8th, winds from Hurricane (turned Typhoon) Dora whipped up ferocious wildfires which tore through the Hawaiian island of Maui. These wildfires were the deadliest in US history in over a century. They are estimated to have caused US$6 billion in damage destroying nearly 3000 structures including homes, businesses, and sacred Native Hawaiian sites, and bringing down critical infrastructure. There were no warnings for the thousands of people who fled for their lives being chased by fires moving a mile per minute (~100km/h).
The Project
Our International Service team used all its remaining funds raised of almost $9,000 to provide urgent financial aid to the people of Maui. This sum was directed to the "Maui Fires Relief Fund" set up by Rotary District 5000 which includes all 48 Rotary clubs in Hawaii. The fund provided immediate grass-roots assistance and funded work on long-term projects to help Maui recover and rebuild after such devastating losses.
Below are some 'after' photos that show the extent of the destruction. All 'before' photos are from Google Earth Pro.
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An aerial image taken on August 10 shows a person walking down Front Street
past destroyed buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of
wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
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An aerial image taken on August 10 shows destroyed homes and buildings burned
to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii.
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
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An aerial view shows destroyed homes and buildings that burned to the
ground around the harbour and Front Street in the historic Lahaina Town.
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
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An aerial view shows the iconic banyan tree along with destroyed homes, boats, and
buildings burned to the ground in the historic town of Lahaina after wildfires razed the area.
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji
Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street in Lahaina, Hawaii.
(Matthew Thayer/AP)
(Matthew Thayer/AP)