“It’s a little overwhelming”: Oprah Winfrey and Jason Momoa Joins Force to Extend Support After Wildfire Kills 55 People in Maui
The news of the wildfire in Hawaii startled and devastated the entire world, including Native Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa. He used social media to offer real-time updates on the crisis and information about how others could help.
Because of the drought and stormy weather, wildfires started to destroy Maui, according to the Associated Press. As of right now, 55 fatalities have been reported, and the old Lahaina Town has been totally devastated. Actor Jason Momoa is doing everything in his power to promote his own country, and with this powerful figure joining the list of supporters, it is anticipated that the impacted people would benefit.
Jason Momoa expresses sadness and devastation over Maui wildfire
Actor Jason Momoa, who recently appeared in Fast X, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and took to his social media to share a series of pictures while sharing the vital information needed about the catastrophic event.
He wrote, “We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana on Maui who have been impacted by the recent wildfires.” The actor shared a message from nonprofit ‘Āina Momona, which is raising money for the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui County Strong Fund to support residents.
He later released a statement that read, “My heart goes out to all those affected by the devastating fires on the Island of Maui. In times like these, we come together as an ‘Ohana, a family, to kāko’o and kōkua one another. The destruction caused by these fires is heartbreaking, but our community’s resilience and strength will shine through.”
Momoa’s statement further added, “I urge everyone to stay safe and heed the advice of local authorities. Let us all do our part to prevent the further spread of fires and support those on the front lines, working tirelessly to protect our homes and natural treasures.”
Oprah Winfrey lends a hand to Jason Momoa’s attempt to help Maui
The celebrated talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who also feels devastated by the news of the wildfire in Maui, decided to lend a hand in helping out the people impacted by the wildfire by donating to a local shelter.
Winfrey visited people at the War Memorial Gymnasium in Maui where the ones affected have been taking shelter and she handed out the supplies to them, which included pillows, cots, and toiletries. According to the reports, she had been to a shelter to ask the people about what are the things that they needed the most and they needed them with them.
It has been known that she is now planning to offer more support to the ones impacted by the devastating situation once it becomes clear which funds will be the most helpful. During a recent conversation with the BBC from the shelter, she said, “It’s a little overwhelming. But I’m really so pleased to have so many people supporting them and people are just bringing what they can and doing what they can.”
She further added, “Often you make donations of clothes or whatever and it’s not really what people need. So I actually went to Walmart and Costco and got pillows, shampoo, diapers, sheets, pillowcases.”
Kāko’o Haleakalā, an organization, documented Oprah Winfrey’s visit to the shelters on social media with the caption, “Maui Resident Oprah Winfrey, stopped by the shelter in Wailuku. She asked what the need was and she was going to supply it! Mahalo Oprah!”
Celebrities join hands to help people in Maui
Former President of the United States, Barack Obama, who was also born in Hawaii, went ahead to share the link to the Maui Strong Fund while he wrote on his official Twitter account, “It’s tough to see some of the images coming out of Hawai’i — a place that’s so special to so many of us. Michelle and I are thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, or whose life has been turned upside down.”
NCIS Hawai’i actress Vanessa Lachey also shared a series of pictures on her social media asking people of Maui to seek help from the given resources if they have been affected. Nick Lachey wrote, “Thoughts and prayers go out to all affected on Maui as they battle these incredibly destructive wildfires. While the resilience of the Hawaiian people is legendary, this tragedy will take time and resources to rebuild from. I’ve put a link in my bio, please help if you can.”
Carlos PenaVega, who lives in Maui with his wife, Alexa PenaVega, also said that they have no words to describe how this devastation feels. The governor of the city compared the situation to the 1960 tsunami that hit the Big Island, killing 61 people. He said that this time, there is a possibility of them exceeding the death totals.
Source: USA Today
