Hawaii’s wildfires have shocked and saddened the world, including actor Jason Momoa, who is Native Hawaiian.
Momoa, 44, has been active on his Instagram account letting his followers know the latest and how they can support the people of Maui amid tragedy.
“We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana on Maui who been impacted by the recent wildfires,” the “Fast X” star wrote in a recent post, encouraging followers to find helpful organizations at the link in the bio of his Instagram profile.
That link includes a Maui Resource Guide and Maui Fires People Locator.
Oprah Winfrey, Connie Britton urge support for Maui
Other celebrities have been vocal about the fires as well.
The BBC filmed Oprah Winfrey handing out supplies at the war memorial stadium earlier this week. “I came earlier, just to see what people needed, and then went shopping because often you make donations of clothes or whatever, and it’s not really what people need,” Winfrey said. “So I actually went to Walmart and Costco and got pillows, shampoo, diapers, sheets, pillowcases.” People magazine noted Winfrey is a part-time Maui resident.
Connie Britton, who starred on the first season of “The White Lotus” – which was shot in Maui – voiced her concerns for the island.
“Maui. My heart is broken,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “Your loss is all of our loss. Your generous island and shores held us so lovingly when we shot @thewhitelotus during covid in 2020. And now we send massive love and strength for recovery during this unbearable time. You will always be a brilliant gleaming gem with a gorgeous heart and unbreakable spirit.”
The number of fatalities from the catastrophic fires in Maui reached 55, officials confirmed Thursday. The toll will probably surpass 60 and make the disaster the deadliest since Hawaii became a state in 1959, Gov. Josh Green said.
The death count continues to climb and parts of coastal communities have been largely destroyed, including the historic town of Lahaina. The governor referenced the 1960 tsunami that hit the Big Island, killing 61 people, and said: “This time it’s very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that, I’m afraid.”
Contributing: USA TODAY staff; The Associated Press
Awful:Maui fire fatalities rise to 55; disaster likely to become deadliest in Hawaii history, governor says: Updates
