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Hawaii steps in for relief efforts for Saipan
Families and friends in Hawaii have joined together for a relief drive that would soon be heading toward Saipan.
Upon learning about Typhoon Soudelor’s destructive winds that left hundreds homeless and thousands without power and water, Lawrence “L.J.” Duenas created a public group on Facebook called “Saipan Relief Hawaii Drive,” which quickly attracted more than 100 followers.
Duenas, with the help of other residents, are working to fill a container with donated goods to assist in the relief efforts for Saipan.
The group has been able to secure a 40-foot container from Matson and is soliciting donations via their Saipan Relief Hawaii Drive Facebook page.
Donations could be brought to the CNMI’s liaison office—the Marianas Liaison Office in Honolulu, Hawaii. A separate drop-off location for other donations is being identified and will be announced soon.
One member of the group, Carina Train, separately set up an Indiegogo fundraising campaign for Saipan. Train, born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, had the opportunity to live on Saipan for a few years.
Train’s campaign, called “Sending ALOHA to Saipan,” targets to raise $1,500 for Saipan. So far it has been able to raise $140 and is still ongoing.
Train said she was fortunate enough to be connected with the group of Hawaii/Saipan residents organizing the goods drive. Her Indiegogo funding campaign will last until Aug. 21.
The Hawaii’s Salvation Army is also having a relief effort for Saipan on their website.
