'Moana' actress Auliʻi Cravalho 'numb' amid Maui wildfires, Jason Momoa shares resources
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Hawaii's wildfires have shocked and saddened the world, including actors Jason Momoa and Auliʻi Cravalho, who are Native Hawaiian.
The number of fatalities from the catastrophic fires in Maui reached 99, officials confirmed Tuesday. The disaster is 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: "Our death totals will significantly exceed that, I'm afraid.''
'Moana' actress Auliʻi Cravalho warns people against traveling to Hawaii
Cravalho, 22, shared resources on Instagram for followers to donate supplies and asked for prayers amid the Maui tragedy.
"If you’ve felt helpless like I have over the last few days hearing about Maui and Big Island please continue reading for ways YOU CAN HELP," she wrote. "Link in my bio will take you to Hawaii National Public Radio, where they lay out ways you can help, both in-person and from afar. If all you can offer is prayer, we’ll take it."
The "Moana" actress also asked followers to comment with areas in the U.S. that are accepting physical donations for Maui.
"I feel numb and close to tears every time I talk about this. Of all the natural disasters we have faced; earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and flooding … to say we were under-prepared for this disaster is an understatement," she wrote. "DO NOT TRAVEL TO HAWAIʻI UNLESS YOU ARE RENDERING AID. This has been declared a FEDERAL DISASTER. Your vacation can wait."
Cravalho concluded: "My heart and funds and donations are headed your way Hawaiʻi, even if I physically am not."
Jason Momoa says he is 'devastated' by Maui wildfires
Momoa, 44, has been active on his Instagram account letting his followers know the latest and how they can support the people of Maui.
"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, and pointed fans to helpful organizations in his Instagram bio.
That link includes a Maui Resource Guide and Maui Fires People Locator.
Momoa also discouraged travel to the island. "Maui is not the place to have your vacation right now," he wrote on Instagram Friday. "DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI. Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply."
The "Aquaman" actor added: "Mahalo to everyone who has donated and shown aloha to the community in this time of need."
Momoa has also shared links to several relief organizations such as 'Āina Momona, Kāko'o Haleakalā, Mana Maoli and more.
The actor also announced the campaign "#Mele4Maui," encouraging people to share a mele, which is a chant, song or poem, "dedicated to our Maui ʻohana impacted by the fires, and to invite others to do the same."
"The mana of Aloha truly shines through in times like these, and for those who can donate or volunteer, those remain as the primary calls to action. And, sometimes we need to pause and take a deep breath - to calm down, give ourselves permission to feel, and find the mana that will get you and loved ones through the next step forward," Momoa wrote Saturday. "For many, we do this with music - which can also be an effective way to help spread the word."
Matthew McConaughey and son Levi team up for Maui aid video
In an Instagram video shared Aug. 15, Matthew McConaughey and his 15-year-old son Levi showed their support for Baby2Baby's Disaster Relief and Emergency Response program. Baby2Baby is a diaper bank and nonprofit organization that seeks to provide essential items to children in need, according to the organization's official website.
"We know that you probably already know about all the devastation on the island of Maui," McConaughey said in the video. "The fires over there have put so many people out of homes and have taken so many lives. These people need to stabilize to survive."
Baby2Baby has sent out tens of thousands of diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, hygiene products and comfort items to families in Maui, with more aid on the way, according to a press release. The nonprofit has also received celebrity endorsements from Kerry Washington, Olivia Wilde, Zooey Deschanel, Meghan Trainor, Kim Kardashian and others.
"So if you'd like to help, check out Baby2Baby, see the work they're doing. Or any other way you can help, there's a lot of help that's needed," McConaughey concluded.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson offers encouragement to Maui: 'Resilience resolve is in our DNA'
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is "completely heartbroken" as the Maui wildfires continue to rage.
"I know that, by now, all of you around the world have seen the complete destruction and devastation that has hit our Hawaiian islands — our island of Maui — and I'm completely heartbroken over this and I know all of you are too," Johnson said in a video posted on Instagram Sunday.
He continued, "Everything that I've seen transpire over these past couple of days, everything that continues to transpire hour by hour, minute by minute, it's all heartbreaking."
Johnson shared in his video that he is in contact with organizations relief organizations in Maui such as The Hawaii Community Foundation on the best ways to lend aid "and I will continue to get as much information as possible."
The wrestler-turned-actor, who is of Samoan descent and lived in Hawaii for a part of his childhood, added, "Resilience resolve is our DNA. Our ancestors are in our blood. This is who we are. This is what we do."
The actor's mother was also born in Hawaii.
"I love you. Stay strong," Johnson concluded.
Mick Fleetwood loses restaurant in Maui due to wildfire
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac revealed on Wednesday that his restaurant was destroyed in the wildfires. "MAUl and The Lahaina community have been my home for several decades. This is a devastating moment for MAUl and many are suffering unimaginable loss," he wrote on Instagram.
"Fleetwoods on front Street has been lost and while we are heartbroken our main priority is the safety of our dear staff and team members," the musician continued. "We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days month and years to come."
Mia Tyler, Oprah Winfrey, Connie Britton urge support for Maui
Other celebrities have been vocal about the fires as well.
Mia Tyler, who was on vacation in Maui at the time of the wildfires, set up a fundraiser on Instagram. "Halfway through our vacation on Maui we got news that a horrible fire had started an hour north of us. I don't need to tell you what happened next. All I can say is, it was way worse than what you saw on the news and online," she wrote. "I personally felt helpless. Trying to keep my family and friends safe was all could do."
Tyler was able to secure a flight home, adding, "I still can't help but feel guilty for not being able to help more."
"PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI, as the hotels are helping to home the people of Maui. The island need to heal and does not need tourists taking up valuable resources right now," she wrote. "The only thing we can do is donate to these wonderful people that need us the most right now."
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."
Contributing: USA TODAY staff and The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maui wildfires: Jason Momoa, 'Moana' actress jump into action
