PRESS RELEASE NO. 102-2023
25 September 2023, Honolulu – The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu attended to the consular and assistance-to-nationals needs of close to 400 Filipinos in Lahaina, Maui over the weekend (September 22 to 24), most of whom were affected by the wildfires that raged through the historic town last August 8.
Among the services rendered were the replacement of lost passports, dual citizenship applications, legalization of documents and registration of overseas voters. The Department of Foreign Affairs-managed Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Fund was tapped to defray the consular fees of Filipinos impacted by the disaster and provide financial assistance to the next-of-kin of those who perished. Over $70,000 was disbursed for this purpose, with beneficiaries expressing their gratitude to the Philippine government for the gesture.
Among those who availed of the Consulate’s services were Lahaina residents Victor and Constancia Ancheta, who remarked, “Me and my wife are very appreciative and grateful to the wonderful humanitarian services of the Philippine Consulate General to the wildfire victims of Lahaina. We were treated professionally and efficiently. We are personally grateful to all the staff and Consul General, who were very accommodating to the victims’ concerns, and thankful for the financial assistance provided.”
Consulate personnel also visited burn victims, met with relatives of fatalities and checked on the well-being of the newly arrived Filipino teachers in Maui. Guidance was provided for the repatriation process for those seeking to send the remains of their loved ones back to the Philippines. Representations were also made with Federal Bureau of Investigation officials for the collection of DNA samples from the Philippine-based relatives of fatalities who have yet to be identified.
“This outreach mission was unlike others I have been a part of in the past, as many of those we served were victims of the harrowing disaster. Several relayed accounts of their horrific ordeal and how they narrowly managed to escape the inferno. We at the Consulate do what we can, in our small way, to help alleviate their suffering and support efforts to rebuild their lives,” Consul General Emil Fernandez said.
According to the Maui Police Department, the total number of fatalities of the Maui wildfires stands at 97, with 83 individuals whose families have been notified to date. Among them, the Consulate’s records show 6 who were Filipino citizens at the time of death with another 13 who either have been naturalized as US citizens or show ties to the Philippines per information online.
The 3-day activity was held at the Lahaina Civic Center, a stone’s throw from center of the devastation wreaked by unprecedented fire. The Center also served as the venue for the one-day Hawak Kamay: Filipino Resource Fair held on September 23, where visitors availed of the services of US federal agencies, relief organizations and Filipino community associations. Providing support to the Consulate’s special outreach mission were the Maui Immigrant Services Division and the Office of the Maui County Mayor. (END)
(Left photo) Consul General Fernandez and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke discuss the concerns of the Filipino community during the Consulate’s consular and assistance-to-nationals outreach mission.
(Right photo) Consul General Fernandez is seen with Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, who visited the Philippine Consulate’s consular and assistance-to-nationals outreach mission at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Shown in the photo taken at the Lahaina Civic Center are (left to right) Consul General Fernandez, Director Jade Butay of the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and Maui City Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura.
Consul General Fernandez and Deputy Director Ryan Yamane of the Department of Human Resources Development pose for a photo at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Consul General Fernandez administers the oath of allegiance to 61 dual citizenship applicants during the consular and assistance-to-nationals outreach mission at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui.
Consul General Fernandez (3rd from left) poses with Filipino and Filipino American volunteers during the Hawak Kamay Filipino Resource Fair at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Consul General Fernandez (7th from left) meets with the recently arrived Filipino teachers based in Maui to check on their wellbeing. He is seen with the group at Tante’s Island Cuisine in Kahului.
Consul General Fernandez greets officials of the American Red Cross including Ms. Terry Stigdon, Regional Chief Executive Officer, at the Lahaina Civic Center.
