Hawaii Groups Join Effort To Aid Philippines Typhoon Victims

Red Cross volunteers and staff handle food items at Philippine Red Cross headquarters in response to Typhoon Haiyan. Photo from the Finnish Red Cross.

Local charities, businesses and isle-based military troops have begun assisting with the rescue and rebuilding efforts in the Philippines, following the Nov. 8 Super Typhoon Haiyan. * With two telecommunication specialists and a satellite system already set up there by American Red Cross, Hawaii Red Cross is offering a hotline to assist local families in locating their relatives. The number is 739-8115. Callers should leave their name and phone number, and a caseworker will return the call.

Hawaii Red Cross will then forward inquiries to the American National Red Cross, which is working with the Philippine Red Cross to locate family members.

“We know that some Hawaii residents are worried about trying to reach their loved ones,” said Hawaii chapter CEO Coralie Matayoshi. “It may take days or even weeks to make contact because communication lines have been severely compromised in some areas. We ask for everyone’s patience as we try to help in their search.”

Monetary donations also may be sent to American Red Cross (memo: Philippine Typhoon), 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816.

* The Filipino Community Center is accepting checks – memo: “Philippines Disaster Relief” – to support the creation of a permanent base of operations here in Hawaii (Mail to 94-428 Mokuola St #302, Waipahu, HI 96797).

* Aloha United Way offers an “easy and secure” way to donate to critical follow-up social services at auw.org. “We are proud to offer a way for our local community to make a big impact and directly help our friends and families in devastated areas,” said Aloha United Way CEO Kim Gennaula.

* “Kokua for Philippines: A Night of Hope Concert” is planned for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in McKinley High School Auditorium.

* Hawaiian Telcom is providing its residential home phone customers with free direct calls to the Philippines in response to the typhoon throughout November. Visit hawaiiantel.com/Philippines for details.

* U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has created an online resource center with federal updates at www.schatz.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=348037.