On Saturday, September 27, 10am, everyone is invited to join on Zoom to get an update on what Rotary Clubs on Maui have done in the the last year.
Global Grant #GG2464383, sponsored by Rotary District 5000, is a $150,000 grant to plant trees in the Maui burn zones. We are partnering with TreeCovery who will acquire, care for, and plant thousands of trees in the next several years. In addition, the homeowners will receive training in caring for the trees, and in creating a fire and drought-resistant landscape. Rotarians will continue to be involved in repotting events, and planting the trees in their final destination. In most cases homeowners will get the same type of trees that they had before the fire. Thank you to the 38 D5000 clubs that signed on to help the funding. We also received major support from three Rotary Clubs in Nepal, two Rotary Clubs in Japan, along with Districts 3350 and 2650.
After the Maui Fires of August, 2023, District 5000 began a series of efforts to provide relief for fire survivors. The first was the establishment of the District 5000 Foundation Maui Fires fund, which brought in over $3.3 million and has funded more than 120 grants in its first two years. Many partnerships with local organizations occurred because of this funding. One was with TreeCovery Hawaii, a not for profit group dedicated to replanting trees lost in the fires. TreeCovery has been growing trees in pots in over 20 “grow hubs” until they are ready for planting. Ultimately they expect to plant 21,000 native and non-invasive trees, at no cost to the homeowner.
Rotarians have been assisting TreeCovery in multiple ways. We have helped repot trees for the grow hubs. Rotarians from four Maui Clubs participated in planting trees for the first Lahaina homeowner ready to receive them. During Malama Maui Weekend Rotarians from all over the District helped plant 100 trees and shrubs at Kahoma Village in Lahaina. And recently Rotarians from two Maui Clubs assisted in planting over 100 trees and shrubs at the Lahaina Jodo Mission, which burned in the fire.
This project may take many years to complete the replanting of the burn zone on Maui, but this grant will provide a great boost to the work.