Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne Johnson gift $1.6K/month to Maui residents via new fund – National | 24CA News
Maui residents are nonetheless reeling within the aftermath of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in additional than a century that swept by means of the island early this month.
The dying depend of the wildfire stands at 115, with an unknown variety of individuals nonetheless lacking. Though the fires have been contained, many residents haven’t any properties to return to. In centuries-old Lahaina, practically each constructing within the city of 13,000 was destroyed.
Thousands of Maui residents have signed up for federal support within the wake of the wildfires, however now, displaced residents have one other fund they’ll faucet: the People’s Fund of Maui, created by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson.
The fund was introduced in a video that includes the famed TV host and retired wrestler-turned-actor. Winfrey is a part-time resident of Maui and Johnson spent a few of his teenage years rising up in Hawaii.
“We have created the People’s Fund of Maui, that will put money directly in the hands of the people who need it right now,” Winfrey mentioned within the video, standing alongside Johnson.
The fund was launched with an preliminary US$10-million (over C$13.5 million) donation supplied by Winfrey and Johnson, who’re calling on others to donate.
Maui residents who misplaced their properties and are over 18 years of age can apply for support on the People’s Fund of Maui web site, and are eligible to obtain US$1,200 (C$1,600) per 30 days in direct funds, “to help them through this period of recovery,” a newswire states.
All candidates need to do is present proof of residence for his or her misplaced or uninhabitable dwelling, in response to the web site. The funds will proceed to be distributed every month so long as the cash lasts.
“As people around the world watched the catastrophic loss and devastation caused by the Maui wildfires, they also witnessed the great spirit and resilience of our Polynesian culture and the tremendous strength of the people of Maui,” Johnson mentioned. “Even in the most difficult of times, the people of Maui come together, and we rise — that’s what makes us stronger.”
Johnson provides that the People’s Fund of Maui is working with “esteemed community leaders” to make sure that cash from the fund goes on to impacted residents.
He mentioned within the fund’s announcement video that some individuals who have been on the lookout for methods to assist Maui residents could also be confused and pissed off about which organizations to assist.
“We’re here to ensure with 100 per cent guarantee that your donations will go directly into the hands of Lahaina residents,” Johnson mentioned, including that it’s a “clean” and “direct” solution to get cash to displaced Hawaiians.
The concept for the fund got here after Winfrey and Johnson have been texting one another about how greatest to assist the individuals of Maui, Winfrey mentioned within the announcement video.
“I have been meeting with people throughout the community that were impacted by the fires over the last few weeks, asking what they most needed and how I could be of service,” Winfrey mentioned.
“The main thing I’ve been hearing is their concern about how to move forward under the immense financial burden. The community has come together in so many wonderful ways, and my intention is to support those impacted as they determine what rebuilding looks like for them.”
Andres Garcia, left centre, holds arms with Oprah Winfrey, centre, and Luz Vargas, proper, at a distribution and support web site at Honokowai Beach Park on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023 in Honokowai, Hawaii.
Matt McClain/The Washington Post through Getty Images
Maui County has sued the Hawaiian Electric Company, blaming it for beginning the wildfires after the utility did not shut off energy throughout exceptionally excessive winds and dry situations.
The utility admitted that its energy strains did spark the wildfire on the morning of Aug. 8, saying it “appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds.”
But the Hawaiian Electric Company said that county firefighters have been additionally at fault for the wildfire after they allegedly declared the preliminary blaze contained and left the scene, solely to have a second wildfire get away that finally consumed Lahaina.
Richard Fried, a Honolulu lawyer working as co-counsel on Maui County’s lawsuit, mentioned that if their energy strains hadn’t precipitated the preliminary fireplace, “this all would be moot.”
“That’s the biggest problem,” Fried mentioned Monday. ‘They can dance around this all they want. But there’s no rationalization for that.”
— With information from The Associated Press
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
