Donations Pouring In for Hawaii CU Relief

The National Credit Union Foundation’s CUAid program has seen an influx of donations coming in as numerous credit unions and credit union-supporting organizations have stepped up relief efforts for those credit union employees and their families who have been impacted by the deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui earlier this month.

The Wailuku, Hawaii-based Maui County Federal Credit Union ($407 million in assets, 20,251 members) and the Kahului, Hawaii-based Valley Isle County Federal Credit Union ($144 million in assets, 13,131 members) each had branches located in downtown Lahaina. The town was decimated by the wildfires. On Sunday, Maui County officials said 99% of the town had been searched and 115 people have been confirmed dead.

For Maui County FCU, officials have reported all employees safe. Valley Isle County FCU has not provided an official update. Both credit unions appear to have been spared in the fire, but there’s no word on damage done to the branches as both branches will remain closed until further notice, according to the credit unions.

Credit unions from around the U.S. have been donating to the disaster relief efforts by donating to CUAid.

The Lawrence, Mass.-based Merrimack Valley Credit Union ($2.3 billion in assets, 116,725 members) launched a fund for Hawaii relief. MVCU officials established the Hawaii Disaster Relief Fund through its GoodWorks Foundation to support CUAid.

According to a statement Friday, MVCU donated $10,000 to CUAid and the credit union is giving its members and community the ability to donate to relief efforts at any of MVCU’s branches.

“We were so sad to hear about these fires and all of the lives, homes and businesses that were lost,” MVCU President/CEO John Howard said. “This is when the credit union community is needed most — to help our colleagues rebuild and help provide their members with the support they need during such a challenging time. Our team is happy to contribute to these relief efforts and grateful to CUAid for giving us a trusted way to do so.”

The $1.7 billion SAFE Federal Credit Union in Sumter, S.C., was also accepting donations at its branches and all money donated “will go to Valley Isle Chapter of the Hawaii Credit Union League to help the residents in Maui affected by wildfires.”

Also on Friday, CUNA announced it donated $20,000 to Maui wildfire relief efforts. According to CUNA, $10,000 of that amount went to CUAid and the other $10,000 went directly to the Maui Food Bank.

“The people of Maui are in need of immediate help to recover from these devastating wildfires, and this contribution was recommended by our friends at the Hawaii Credit Union League as a way to help with efforts to take action,” CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle said. “As financial first-responders, CUNA, Leagues and credit unions and our system partners remain committed to taking care of our communities and fulfilling our ‘people helping people’ philosophy as the Maui community works to rebuild.”

The Roanoke, Va.-based Member One Federal Credit Union ($1.6 billion in assets, more than 148,000 members) donated $5,000 to the CUAid disaster relief program.

Member One Vice President of Community Impact Alex Lucas said, “We’re honored to partner with the NCUF in their efforts to support those who have experienced this loss and to support their efforts to rebuild. Credit unions play a vital role in Hawaiians’ financial well-being during difficult times, and this organization supports the people who make credit unions function for their members.”

For more information on CUAid’s Maui relief efforts, click here.