Dear John,

The situation in Maui is unimaginable. The images and videos of Lahaina are stark, and the aftermath devastating. Our hearts are with the people of Maui. We join countless others from around the world offering comfort (hoʻonā) to those who’ve lost loved ones, strength (ʻikaika) for those still searching for family, and resilience (hoʻomau) to those who are starting anew. The spirit of aloha is one of hope (manaʻolana), and we are committed to supporting the people, wildlife, and vibrant ecosystems of the Hawaiian islands—just as we have together for more than 30 years.

Many of you have seen the heroic stories from the Maui Bird Conservation Center, which began to emerge over the weekend; and as members of our family, we wanted to share an update with you on the latest developments. We’re beyond grateful that all San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members and all the birds we’re caring for there are safe. At this one-of-a-kind sanctuary, our team of conservationists have the honor of caring for some of the most delicate and critically endangered species on the planet, including the last remaining ʻalalā on Earth.

Last Tuesday, our team found themselves on the frontlines with firefighters as the wildfires arrived at our doorstep, and they held the line with hoses and fire extinguishers to protect the last of these native Hawaiian birds from catastrophic disaster. After battling the blaze for the past week and offering the Conservation Center as a place of shelter and respite for rescue workers, the fire is now nearly under control, as firefighters monitor and extinguish any remaining hot spots. The strong winds from Hurricane Dora knocked down several trees, damaging aviaries and buildings, and blocking internal roadways and pathways. Our team prioritized repairs to the aviaries, and has since cleared the roadways to restore accessibility across the 40-acre sanctuary. The electricity has been out since last Monday, and the team has been working off our emergency generator, in an effort to assess the remaining damage and return to normal operations as quickly as possible.

After seeing these stories in The Washington Post and The New York Times, so many of you have reached out, worried about our team and asking if there’s anything you can do to help. We are so fortunate and grateful to each of you, and we’re making good progress in recovering from the damage. Most importantly, our hearts and thoughts continue to be with the rest of our community on Maui.

Yours in conservation,

Paul Baribault
President and Chief Executive Officer
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance