Hawaiian Airlines has announced a new partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank to collect and distribute food to the wildfire victims in Maui. Additionally, the carrier donated $50,000 to each food bank and is deploying volunteers to Hawaiʻi Foodbank to help sort and package donated foods.
“Food access on Maui is an urgent issue and this work will help our nonprofit partners meet the critical need to deliver food and essential supplies to people affected by this devastating event. Our 7,000-strong team is committed to this important work to help our Maui ʻohana and neighbours as we continue to assist with the response on Maui,” commented Peter Ingram, chief executive and president, Hawaiian Airlines
Besides many Hawaiian employees are working at several collection sites to receive donations and prepare them to be distributed. Towards the day-end as many as 10,000 pounds of baby formula and food, feminine products, diapers, toiletries, canned proteins and meals, rice and grains, non-perishable snacks, peanut butter, and meal bars are collected and given to the two food banks.
“We’re blown away by the incredible turnout of donations from the Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana yesterday, especially with such short notice.” Jennifer Onishi, director of corporate relations and partnerships, Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Hawaiian as already evacuated over 20,000 people from Maui, with 6,600 people leaving within the first day of evacuation efforts. Ten thousand members of the airlines’ frequent flyer program donated enough miles to fill over 9,500 interisland flights, and another 4,000 flight vouchers were provided by the airline for volunteers and community members to use.
The carrier added extra flights to get people off the island and also reserved spaces in the cargo holds of aircraft to transport essential items like water, blood, medication, mattress pads, pillows, etc. Since the wildfires started, Hawaiian has contributed more than half a million dollars in cash and in-kind donations to relief efforts.