In the aftermath of last month’s 2,000-acre-plus brush fire, Launiupoko residents have started a GoFundMe campaign to buy and donate two 4-wheel-drive Kawasaki Mules to Maui Fire Department.

The page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/lahaina-maui-fire-department?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email_m_pd-5332-donation-receipt-adyen&utm_content=internal explains: “In appreciation for the heroic job the Lahaina Department did in coordinating the week-long task of putting out the fire that saved all of our homes, we would like to give them a Mule that will allow them to get to areas where their fire trucks can’t reach.

“They borrowed such a vehicle from the Wailea Fire Station to help put out the fire, and we want to provide them with the same equipment for the West Side of Maui. Let’s help them help us. We hope to provide both the Lahaina Station and the Napili Station with their own vehicle and transport trailer.”

The fundraising team includes Betsy Talon, Debbie Arakaki and Smita Paul.

Paul noted that Lahaina firefighters don’t have off-road vehicles to go into the mountains, where many West Side wildfires spread.

“With these vehicles, they can take four firefighters and a tank of water into the mountains and be more effective,” Paul wrote. “The county should really just get these things for the fire departments, but since Lahaina is particularly vulnerable, as a homeowner, I just want them to have whatever they need to fight.”

The residents behind this grassroots campaign already have a trailer donated. They are looking to raise $60,000. As of last Thursday afternoon, donations total $10,445.

Paul explained that “the effort started over a Thanksgiving meal… when Betsy Talon was just asking what would help the department fight fires in the West Maui Mountains.”

Last month’s fire came dangerously close to Launiupoko homes and Lahainaluna High School. Donate to this campaign and help equip West Maui firefighters to battle these difficult brush fires.