Devastating wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui on August 8, 2023. One of them, the Lahaina wildfire, burned the historic town down to the ground. The blazes became the deadliest wildfires in modern American history with 115 people dead as of August 30. Many of those who survived lost their ancestral homes and businesses.
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have teamed up to help those impacted by the wildfires. They created the People’s Fund of Maui and donated $10 million to start it off. The fund will give $1,200 a month to help victims get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. Some were critical of the celebrities for asking for donations.
A statement released by the pair explained how the fund will proceed. “Collaborating closely with an esteemed advisory board and support from the local community and respected elders, this new fund will serve as a bridge to provide cash directly to the families and individuals affected so that they can personally determine how best to use the funds for themselves,” it elaborated.
“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,” Oprah explained in a press release. “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.”
More from LittleThings: Video Catches The Rock Undercover As A Waiter To Surprise A 12-Year-Old Girl With Cancer
Dwayne, who is of Samoan descent, also issued a press release to announce the fund. “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. Even in the most difficult of times, the people of Maui come together, and we rise — that’s what makes us stronger,” he began.
“We are beyond grateful to be working alongside esteemed community leaders of Maui to launch the People’s Fund of Maui," he went on to say. "These leaders are offering their guidance to ensure our fund can put money directly in the hands of those individuals most affected."
Oprah and Dwayne started the fund by donating $10 million but are asking for donations to keep it going. “We want to have this fund go for as long as you, America, choose to help us with this fund,” Oprah explained.
“And our goal is to be able to give people money regularly for at least the next six months so that they will be able to make decisions for themselves and be able to have some sense of value for what they can bring to themselves and to their families. We will continue the fund for as long as you help us continue the fund,” she concluded.
Some are critical of the call for donations when both Oprah and Dwayne have vast resources of their own and many are struggling to get by. Oprah owns 2,000 acres of land on Maui and has lived there part time for 15 years. Dwayne spent many of his summers on the island growing up.
“Girl you got some nerve asking us working class people who can barely afford to put food on the table for our families to donate,” wrote one Instagram user. "Why don’t you ask your millionaire/billionaire buddies to help."
“Math ain’t mathing with this one,” agreed another. "You guy’s literally have so much money…. You can donate it and make it back within a year."
