More than 80% of Maui nonprofit executive directors on Maui responding to a recent survey say they have shifted the focus of their work to fire relief.

What You Need To Know

  • The survey was conducted by the Maui County Nonprofit Directors and the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations from Sept. 18 to 28

  • Maui United Way said the shift in work priorities affects the overall ability of the nonprofit sector to deliver a wide range of social services

  • Responding to the survey, 70% of nonprofit leaders reported an increase in demand for services — up to 40% — since the fires.  

  • Respondents expressed concern about staff retention due to “compassion fatigue, burnout and feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of community needs”

The survey was conducted by the Maui County Nonprofit Directors and the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations from Sept. 18 to 28.

In a release issued on Thursday, Maui United Way said the shift in work priorities affects the overall ability of the nonprofit sector to deliver a wide range of social services.

Responding to the survey, 70% of nonprofit leaders reported an increase in demand for services — up to 40% — since the fires.  

“This increase exacerbated challenges facing the community before the fires, including the lack of affordable housing and the increased demand for mental health services, while raising new challenges, including loss of income affecting workers and small businesses across the islands,” MUW stated in the release.

Gaps in support are also significantly affecting nonprofit operations. Executive directors responding to the survey identified additional funding (70%) and staffing (58%) as their top need. About 30% of respondents identified office, warehouse and staging spaces as areas of need.

Respondents indicated that existing staff have experienced the loss of homes and family members to the fires and expressed concern about staff retention due to “compassion fatigue, burnout and feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of community needs.”

“Unfortunately, recovery is not a quick process,” said MUW president and chief professional officer Nicholas Winfrey. “In addition to the impacts of the fires, Maui’s nonprofit sector was already working to address complex challenges in the areas of mental health, housing and economic stability. The good news is that Maui has a strong, collaborative nonprofit sector that will continue to work together on behalf of fire survivors and all residents. Our goal is to not only ‘recover’ but to build a stronger, more resilient community for the future.” 

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.