PRESS RELEASE NO. 117-2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. presented a donation to Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke for Maui’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.  Joining them are US Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda and Hawaii State Senators Donova Dela Cruz and Henry Aquino (Photo credit: DKI-APCSS). 

22 November 2023, Honolulu – In a ceremony held at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies last 19 November, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. pledged another USD 100,000 to aid in the recovery and rebuilding efforts for the people of Maui affected by the August 8 wildfires.  The Philippine president presented State of Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke with the donation to the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation.  Other government officials present were Representative Ed Case, Representative Jill Tokuda, State Senator Donovan Dela Cruz and State Senator Henry Aquino. 

In his remarks to members of the Filipino community during their gathering at the Hawaii Convention Center last November 18, President Marcos Jr. remembered those who lost their lives following the deadly wildfires.  He prayed for those who perished in the blaze during the meet and greet.  He said, “Pinapanood namin ang mga pangyayari sa Maui, kawawa naman yung ating mga Pilipino na naging casualty, so before I proceed, let us share a moment of silence as we remember those who perished in the devastating wildfires in Maui last August.”

During his visit, President Marcos Jr. also authorized the disbursement of another USD 100,000 for Filipino survivors and relatives of the wildfire fatalities.  This follows the initial USD 100,000 already distributed by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu to Filipinos impacted by the tragedy, bringing to USD 300,000 the total amount provided by the Philippine Government for victims of the disaster. (END)