Hollywood celebrities like Eva Longoria, Jason Momoa, and celebrity chefs like Jose Garces are stepping up to help fundraise for the relief efforts in Hawaii. The death toll stands at 115 after devastating wildfires spread through the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. Hundreds remain missing.
Longoria set up shop at the Bungalow Santa Monica for a special edition of the Night Market series where she teamed up with fellow actor Momoa and played bartender to sell cocktails made from her Casa Del Sol Tequila brand. Momoa was also there with his own brand, Meili Vodka, for a specialty cocktail. Proceeds would benefit the Maui Strong Fund and the Maui Humane Society.
“What a night!” Longoria shared on social media alongside footage of her making drinks for a line of people, “I love anything that supports a good cause. Thanks to everyone who showed up … to raise funds for Maui.”
A sign at the bar read, “100% of the proceeds from our Shooting the Pier cocktail will benefit the Maui Strong Fund helping those affected by the Maui fires. Now through the end of September 2023.”
In addition, Garces is one of more than two dozen chefs joining Food Network star Guy Fieri as he hosts the “Chefs for Maui Fundraiser” at the Premiere Winery at Sonoma County on October 21, 2023. The fundraiser will be a 15-course dining experience for $2,500 a ticket. All proceeds will be distributed to the food service workers of Maui and the Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Island Division.
“To think of those people that love their island, and love their families, and make visitors feel welcome, we need to stop what we’re doing and do what we can to help them,” Fieri said.
Visit the Red Cross to find out how you can help the people of Maui today. You can also donate directly to the Maui Strong Fund or the Maui Humane Society.
To learn more about the situation, read the CNN Timeline here.