UH campuses and facilities on Hawaiʻi Island were thankfully spared the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Iselle, but many of their friends and neighbors—especially in the Puna area—are still dealing with the aftermath, including structural damage to homes, lack of power and water and impeded road access. Residents around Honokaʻa who want to donate to the Iselle relief effort can bring items to the North Hawaiʻi Education and Research Center (NHERC), about 40 miles north of Hilo. Suggestions for donations: “What’s really great about this effort is that it’s community-driven,” said Stacie Higgens, an academic support specialist at NHERC. “It’s volunteers rallying for our sister communities on the Big Island.”
Collection location and hours
North Hawaiʻi Education and Research Center
45-539 Plumeria Street
Honokaʻa, HI 96727
Hours for drop-off are 7:45 am to 4:30 pm.
Email, Facebook or call NHERC at (808)775-8890 for more information.
NHERC is not able to accept donations of ice, but the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ Komohana Extension and Experiment Station in Hilo is accepting both ice and water. Please contact them directly for more information.
More ways to help
People living outside of the area may want to consider monetary donations to an established relief organization instead.
Cash donations are the best way to immediately help recovery efforts on the Big Island and other areas impacted by Iselle, according to a State of Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency press release (PDF).
The Emergency Management Agency suggests cash donations be directed to the American Red Cross Hawaiʻi Chapter) and the Hawaii State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters Hurricane Iselle Long-Term Relief and Recovery Fund.
People looking to volunteer are encouraged to directly contact local relief agencies to identify needs of individuals and communities impacted by Iselle.
—By Jeela Ongley
