Lahainaluna High School Foundation Executive Director Art Fillazar said, “This has been a grassroot effort, and the foundation is just one of many who is here to help the community recover.”

LAHAINA — Lahainaluna High School Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is another venue where citizens, businesses and other charitable groups can contribute monetary donations to help students, faculty and staff of Lahainaluna High School recover after the wildfire devastation over a month ago.

A special Fire Relief Fund account has been created with the LHS Foundation.

According to Executive Director Art Fillazar, the foundation has a strong base of devoted alumni, friends and groups who have supported the “oldest school west of the Rockies” for years.

“The foundation wanted to also be a source to accept donations and to focus those contributions in helping our Lahainaluna High School staff, faculty and students who have lost their homes, belongings, and in several cases, also their jobs” shared Fillazar.

Donations to the foundation will also be shared, as best as possible, with the neighboring public schools of Lahaina Intermediate, Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary, and King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was completely destroyed by the wildfire.

Checks payable to Lahainaluna HS Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 11617, Lahaina, HI 96761 (memo: FIRE RELIEF). A traditional form can also be used from the foundation website at http://www.lahainalunahighschoolfoundation.org/DONATE. (This is the current website, as the new website is still under construction.) One can complete that link form and mail the form back with the donation, or use the electronic fund transfer (EFT) link using a credit card. Use the box indicating “greatest needs,” and in any of the comment boxes, simply type in “fire relief.”

For more information, contact Fillazar by e-mail at lhsf08@yahoo.com or leave a voice message with a call back number at (808) 661-5332.

The LHS Foundation’s mission is to support the Lahainaluna school community by providing opportunities and resources, and assist in preserving and perpetuating Lahainaluna’s unique history, culture and traditions.

Fillazar concluded: “As a former faculty member, I am especially proud of my former Lahainaluna students, who have stepped up to the plate to give back to their community unconditionally. Lahaina Is Strong! I mua Lahaina!”