August 13, 2023
Multiple wildfires erupted in Hawaii during the overnight hours of Tuesday, Aug. 8, affecting primarily Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Left in its wake were at least 55 fatalities as of Aug. 11, hundreds of damaged or destroyed structures and thousands of people who were forced to evacuate.
While the exact cause is not yet known, CBS News reported the wildfires were “fueled by a mix of land and atmospheric conditions that can create ‘fire weather.’ [An offshore] hurricane, classified as a Category 4 by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Wednesday morning, contributed to heavy wind gusts above 60 mph that tore through Maui.”
According to the New York Times, “flames burned with such intensity that at least a dozen people escaped into the Pacific Ocean and were later rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.”
If your rental store or employees have been severely impacted by these fires, know that the ARA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grants are here to assist.
Two types of grants are available:
- Business Disaster Relief Grants offer between $500 and $2,500. They are designed to help rental businesses rebuild.
- Employee Disaster Relief Grants range from $500 to $2,000. They can help employees get back on their feet. Business owners must apply for these grants on behalf of their employees.
For more information on these services or to donate to the ARA Foundation, click here.
For questions, contact Jill Peterson, program manager for the ARA Foundation and Government Affairs, at jill.peterson@ararental.org, or 800-334-2177, ext. 254.
