CONTACT:
Silvia Lew
Co-Chair, Media & Publicity Committee
Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association
communications@apalaweb.org
The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) is heartbroken by the devastation and destruction of Lāhainā by the recent wildfires on August 8 that killed residents and destroyed homes, historic buildings, and sacred sites. Hundreds of people are still missing amid rescue efforts. Lāhainā was favored for its access to an abundance of food provided by the ʻāina (land) and kai (sea), becoming the original capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It is an area of deep mana and is the burial place of many members of Hawaiian aliʻi, but due to a history of colonialism and gentrification, the Kānaka Maoli have lost access to their land and cultural assets. Pasifika people are an important part of the APALA community and were among those most heavily impacted by the wildfires.
APALA will donate $1,000 to Lāhainā relief efforts via one of the causes below and encourages others to give what they can. Please consider supporting our friends and families in their time of need, and prioritize giving to organizations that assist Kānaka Maoli.
- Nā ‘Aikāne o Maui (Cultural Center of Lāhainā): https://naaikane.org/lahaina-wildfire-relief/
- ‘Āina Momona: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kokuamaui
- Maui Strong Fund (Hawai‘i Community Foundation): https://hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong
- Kākoʻo Maui (Council of Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement, Alaka’ina and Kako’o Haleakala): https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/cnhamembers/kakoomaui
- Lāhui Foundation: https://www.lahuifoundation.org/
- Maui Mutual Aid Fund: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y7J26SYUJFQU8
- Maui Food Bank: https://mauifoodbank.org/donate/
- Maui Humane Society: https://www.mauihumanesociety.org/
- UHF Help Maui Students: https://www.uhfoundation.org/give/giving-opportunity/help-maui-students
- UHF UH Maui College Faculty and Staff Aid: https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/13035104
- Pūnana Leo o Lāhainā: https://www.ahapunanaleo.org/new-page-37
- Venmo mutual aid initiative by Lāhainā residents IG:@lahaina_ohana_venmo: https://instagram.com/lahaina_ohana_venmo?igshid+MzRIODBiNWFIZA==
Library-related efforts provided by the Hawaii Library Association: https://www.hawaiilibraryassociation.org/supportingmaui.html
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Founded in 1980, the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations to APALA are tax deductible and support our work for library services, programs, scholarships, awards, and grants related to library services benefiting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and AANHPI library staff.