Pilina Relief - Day 17 - Stay Vigilant
August 26, 2023
Aloha all,
Today was likely a scary day for many in West Maui as there was a brush fire in Ka’anapali. Emergency sirens went off and evacuations were ordered. Luckily the winds weren’t bad enough to stave off the fire helicopters. I understand that fires were contained later in the day and we were able to get another aircraft load of food and supplies over before sundown. I keep hoping that the events didn’t send more stress and fear through that community that has already been overwhelmed.
It was a busy day for us at the Kona airport. We were able to get a couple of flights out during the day and we had quite a few hands helping sort through. We got quite a lot boxed and weighed so they can be safely loaded and flown tomorrow. We’ll have a busy morning, with 4 planes planning on an early departure to beat the winds. Right now it’s looking to be a little lighter on the trade winds (thank goodness) so we’re hoping for some smooth air in the morning.
Attached is a flyer that was sent to me with info on an upcoming Fire Prevention Fair here in Waimea. Feel free to scan the flyer for more information…it sounds like a great resource for Big Island folks and maybe it’ll spark an idea for anyone else reading this in high fire areas to start in their community. I look forward to learning from it and having the opportunity to thank those in our Big Island community for keeping us safe and connected.
How can you help?
1. You can help keep us general aviators and small aviation companies flying by making monetary donations to the Pilina Relief Fund page. We continue to rack up significant avgas and jet fuel bills and can really use your help with collecting additional monetary donations.
2. No changes in the donation distribution hubs requests so here they are again:
· Can openers (a lot of non-perishable food has been donated but they don’t have enough can openers for that food),
· 5-gallon water bottles (many places in west Maui still don’t have safe drinking water. The water is being used to bathe with, cook with, and stay hydrated with so they are going through our water quickly. The 5-gallon bottles allow them to refill them once water refill stations are available),
· Batteries (of all kinds but AA and AAA are very helpful to keep radios going)
· Baby formula & bottles
· Men’s & women’s undergarments (may I remind you that these should be new and not used ☺)
· A few hand trucks/dollies (to assist the hubs with moving all of the supplies around at the airport and then at the hubs).
· Pots/pans – people have been trucking propane to West Maui so some folks have the ability to cook but they can use pots & pans to do that. Your donations don’t need to be brand new but please ensure they are clean and sanitary.
Paradise Helicopters will be accepting donations of the above-named items. They are located at the Kona airport commuter terminal. If you aren’t on the big island please feel free to reach out to Mokulele, your local flight schools, or anyone around the airports. I’d bet they know how your generous donations can make their way to the donation hubs. And if you want to know what hubs our donations are going to, they are listed on the Pilina Relief page. Please direct anyone you know in West Maui who can use a little something to go to any of those hubs.
3. Feel free to patronize some of the amazing organizations who are collaborating with us to help: Paradise Helicopters offers amazing tours around most of the major Hawaii Islands, Mauna Loa Helicopter School for those of you who want to learn to hover, Tropicbird Flight Services (fixed wing - that’s airplanes for the non-aviation folks - flight school) where I did my training and Mokulele Airlines (our local island hopper, for those of you not in Hawaii). I’m happy to add Pacific Flight Academy in Honolulu to the list of collaborators. A big mahalo to some local restaurants who have donated pilot meals: Willies Hot Chicken and Taylored Meals. We already all love Punaluu Bake Shop goods but remember to pick up another loaf next time you’re at the market. Same with Lone Palm…I love their alfalfa sprouts on my salads and sandwiches. Grab yourself a bag to support this wonderful farm! Hawaii Farming (grab your keiki cukes next time you’re at Costco) and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council for always wanting to help feed Hawaii. And a continued mahalo to the Hawaii Food Basket for assisting us with the donation collection and for all of the wonderful work they do in feeding the people of Hawaii regardless of natural disasters!
Mahalo to you all for staying Hawaii Strong! Maui Strong! Lahaina Strong!
Dana