Filipino community groups rallying aid for Maui fire victims

Residents can get free support, food and supplies in a safe and comfortable space from volunteers who speak Tagalog, Ilocano and Bisayan. HANDOUT

Filipino community organizations in Hawaii are stepping up to help survivors of the deadly Aug. 8 wildfire that swept Maui.

The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii are organizing a supportive resource fair “Hawak Kamay (Hand in Hand),” on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center.

Residents can get free support, food and supplies in a safe and comfortable space from volunteers who speak Tagalog, Ilocano and Bisayan.

The Philippine Consulate of Honolulu will be present to help individuals replace lost documents destroyed in the fire, such as passports.

Filipino lawyers will be available to answer legal and financial questions, and counselors will offer mental health services.

There will also be a keiki corner, free massages, therapy pets and plants, and “kwentuhan” talk story tables.For organizations wanting to support, visit bit.ly/hawakkamay.

If you need help recovering from the wildfire, click here or visit mauifilipinochamber.com.

Meanwhile, The Filipino Community Center, in partnership with Filipino organizations on O`ahu, is coordinating a benefit concert with all the proceeds going to Binhi at Ani Foundation-Tulong for Lahaina Fund.

This event will be on Sunday, Oct. 1, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at FilCom Center 94-428 Mokuola St. in Waipahu. The benefit concert will begin at 5 pm.

Performers are contributing their talents at no cost. KNDI Radio and host Larry Ordoñez, who grew up in Lahina, will begin broadcasting from FilCom Center at 4 p.m. The Radiothon will also help generate support for Bayanihan for Maui.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 at the FilCom Center Office, suite 302 during business hours, starting September 18, 2023, or online at Filcom.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.