Tampa News
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Project Dynamo, a veteran-led organization, has deployed a team in Maui to provide aid and support in the ongoing evacuation efforts, as stated in a recent news release.
“It’s truly heart-wrenching to watch the destruction unfolding in Hawaii,” Project Dynamo founder Bryan Stern said in the release.
“I’ve tried to turn Dynamo off three times and I’ve given up,” Stern said. “We’re here to stay. Our demand has never been greater.”
By Thursday, Stern was on a plane headed to Hawaii.
“Our helicopter lands in about 45 minutes,” he said in a video recorded on the plane. “Doing the first rescue for operation Ohana Safe, which means safe families, on the island in Maui in the northwest corner, scary stuff.”
Stern wasted no time and jetted off to Hawaii by Thursday.
In a video captured aboard the plane, he confidently announced, “Our helicopter is set to touch down in just 45 minutes. We’re about to embark on the inaugural rescue mission for operation Ohana Safe, ensuring the safety of families on the beautiful island of Maui. It’s going to be an adrenaline-pumping adventure in the northwest corner, and some eerie moments are expected.”
Join Project Dynamo and Air Maui Helicopter Tours in their heroic efforts to evacuate the wildfire-ravaged town of Lahaina!
Over 2,000 structures and historic landmarks were damaged or destroyed by the fires, according to NBC News.
“Everything has been shut down,” long-time Maui resident Kami Irwin said. “We have no power. No water. We’re getting supplies to Maui Brewing Company, that’s our business.”
Stern and his team are collaborating with Irwin to provide aid to those in need.
“We’re here local on Maui trying to bring in all the supplies possible to residents that are stranded with nothing,” Irwin said.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green declares largest natural disaster in history – urgent airlift of medicine, baby food, and supplies to affected families.
“This is our first fire that we’ve done,” Stern said. “But it’s really, really bad. The people need help and they need people to know they need help.”
