GARNER, N.C. — Hawaii continues to be ravaged by historic wildfires that have made some parts of the island unrecognizable.
What You Need To Know
- Garner couple prepares large luau to help victim of Hawaii wildfires
- Brian McKay and his wife have been to Hawaii over 40 times
- Plumeria and tea leaves will be sold at luau with proceeds benefiting victims of Hawaii wildfires
Garner resident Brian McKay has been to Hawaii at least 40 times. He and his wife make the trip to the islands every year and plan on going back in February.
In the meantime, however, they're doing what they can to help the island they love.
“Since we can't live in Hawaii, we brought Hawaii here. With all the tropical plants, it's like our little oasis," McKay said.
McKay, a member of the Hawaii Club of North Carolina, is the proud owner of this small oasis.
On Thursday, he started preparing his yard for a September luau that will host 250 guests.
“We always wanna make it like a four or five star luau here as best we can," McKay said.
It'll be the 18th time McKay and his wife have hosted the event.
This year, though, will be different.
“Looking at the news, the TikTok videos that are out there, it's just total devastation in certain areas," he said.
McKay's connection to Hawaii is strong.
His mom was born there, he married his wife there and he travels back each year at least once or twice.
But that's not all.
“We have genealogy back nine generations" McKay said.
McKay says he technically has thousands of family members still living in Hawaii.
He's close to two dozen or so, and says so far, they're all OK.
An aerial survey Wednesday found nearly 300 buildings have been damaged or destroyed by the deadly fires across the island.
This year, the McKays are using their luau as a fundraiser for the victims of the Hawaii wildfires.
“We’re gonna sell these tea leaf plants right here and plumerias at the luau, and we’ll raise money for the wildfires in Maui," McKay explained.
McKay is in constant communication with the close family members he has on the island.
His group, the Hawaii Club of N.C., has set up a GoFundMe Page. If you would like to help, click here to donate.
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