Jason Momoa on How to Help Maui Wildfire Recovery This Holiday Season: 'Respect the Culture' (Exclusive)

The biggest thing those looking to help can do "is to educate yourself," Jason Momoa tells PEOPLE

Hawaii-born star Jason Momoa takes every opportunity to support the communities that were impacted by the Maui wildfires — and wants to keep people informed on how they can help, too.

“The biggest thing,” he tells PEOPLE, “is to educate yourself.”

The 44-year-old Aquaman star, who was born in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu and raised in Iowa, says that those looking to provide aid should do so while “having the proper respect.”

“I think that's the big thing in Hawaii,” says Momoa. “It's just respecting the culture, respecting the people who need the space.”

Related: 100-Year-Old Wooden House Unscathed After Deadly Maui Fires: 'Looks Like It Was Photoshopped In'

Of his own visit to Maui after the fires, he says by way of example, “I waited for my family to be invited in properly.” He reiterates the main point: “Respect the culture.”

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On Aug. 9, Momoa published his first of many posts on social media informing followers about the fires. The natural disaster has since been classified as the worst in Hawaii state history and the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.

“We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana [family] on Maui who have been impacted by the recent wildfires,” Momoa wrote on Instagram, including a link to the nonprofit ‘Āina Momona, which is raising money to support Maui residents.

Related: Dwayne Johnson Says He's 'Completely Heartbroken' by Hawaii Wildfires as Death Toll Continues to Rise

Momoa has also been directing donors to the People’s Fund of Maui, which was established by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson and provides eligible residents of Lahaina and Kula $1,200 a month. “I've been doing everything from [my platforms] to go to People's Fund of Maui, because I know it's going… directly to families,” he tells PEOPLE. 

“When we were hurting, it was really beautiful to see everybody come together,” he adds of the donations that have come in since August.

But Momoa has other ways of getting financial support to residents of the island. All proceeds from his collaboration with clothing brand Da Hui, the Aloha J Collection, go directly to families affected by the fires.

“I like being able to give something that people can buy, [or] share from afar” he says, noting that the holiday season is right around the corner. Shoppers looking to make a positive difference can “take that home," he adds.

As an onscreen superhero and powerhouse Hollywood producer, too, Momoa looks for ways to support and promote his birthplace. “Hawaii's been a big place to make movies, but not really to highlight Hawaiian stories,” he points out.

In addition to a Hawaii-set buddy comedy with Dave Bautista, an upcoming Momoa project is Chief of War — an Apple TV+ miniseries about the unification of the Hawaiian kingdoms —which he co-created and executive produced with fellow Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom writer Thomas Pa'a Sibbett.

Related: Jason Momoa Reveals 'That's a Wrap' on 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' in Hawaii

“This has been my dream,” Momoa says, “to be able to get the money to pull off something at that level. Now, we've just got to get people to watch it.”

The multi-hyphenate adds he’s “very proud” of the series, set to premiere in 2024. “It's my everything," he says.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be in theaters Dec. 22.

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