How You Can Help Hawai‘i Island: May 29

The Recovery Information & Assistance Center (RIAC) at the the Pāhoa Community Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There are a number of services available to help those who have been directly affected by the evacuations due to the lava event in the Puna District.

Agencies represented in the center include Department of Human Services (SNAP), County Department of Housing, County Department of Aging, state Mental Health, Veteran Services and the Office of the Mayor.

Hope Services, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, the LDS Church and Child and Family Services are also available. Services include assistance with housing and financial services.

CERT, Community Emergency Response Teams, are also on=hand, helping to issue placards for residents in the lava zones so that they can get into the affected area to retrieve belongings.

The center is also being staffed by members of VOAD—Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.

Many other volunteers, along with Red Cross, are helping evacuees.

The Salvation Army spearheaded by Victor Leonardi continue to organize meals donated by local restaurants and faith-based organizations.

The Interfaith Alliance spearheaded by Pastor Dion Maeda and the Reverend Kaitlin McCallister has been working toward housing solutions to help transition people out of the shelters and into a more permanent solution.

To donate, go online.

These monies are available to all organizations working to help evacuees and other affected by the lava event.