Matthew McConaughey funds Maui emergency aid
The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)
Matthew McConaughey is funding a plane filled with emergency aid bound for Maui after the Hawaiian island was devastated by deadly wildfires last week, he announced Tuesday on Instagram.
The fires have killed at least 99 people, a number expected to rise as more of the burned area is searched. The tourist town of Lahaina was completely destroyed in the blaze, which approached quickly and prevented many from escaping in time.
The actor is funding an aid flight with the charity Baby2Baby, which specializes in emergency aid and care for children.
The plane “is filled with hundreds of thousands more emergency supplies that will have an immediate impact on children and families on Maui,” McConaughey said. “Grateful we can help get these critical supplies to children and families who need it.”
The aid will go directly to local charities on the ground assisting survivors, he said.
Baby2Baby commented on the post, thanking McConaughey.
“With your help, we are getting hundreds of thousands more emergency supplies into the hands of children who desperately need them,” the organization said.
About 25 percent of the burned area of Lahaina was searched as of Monday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said. He hopes that figure will rise to about 85 percent by this weekend.
Federal disaster response leaders said identifying victims will be a “very, very difficult mission.” It is unknown exactly how many people are missing.
President Biden declared a national disaster in Hawaii on Friday, freeing up federal aid to assist the recovery, search and rebuilding efforts on Maui. Biden said his administration is planning a trip to the island.