Hawaii-born star Jason Momoa is taking every opportunity to support communities affected by the Maui wildfires — and he wants to let people know how they can help.
“The biggest thing,” he tells PEOPLE, “is to educate yourself.”
44 year old Aquaman The star, who was born in Honolulu, Oʻahu and raised in Iowa, says those who want to help should do so with “appropriate respect.”
“I think it’s a big thing in Hawaii,” Momoa says. “It’s just respecting the culture, respecting people who need space.”
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Of his own visit to Maui after the fire, he says, as an example, “I was waiting for my family to be invited properly.” He repeats the main point: “Respect the culture.”
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On August 9, Momoa made his first of many social media posts informing followers about the fires. The natural disaster has since been classified as the worst in the history of the state of Hawaii and the deadliest wildfire in the US in more than a century.
“We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana [family] on Maui who have been affected by the recent fires,” Momoa wrote on Instagram, including a link to the non-profit organization ‘Āina Momona, which raises money to support Maui residents.
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Wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, August 9, 2023.
County of Maui/ZUMA Press Wire
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Momoa also directed donors to the Maui People’s Fund, founded by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson, which provides $1,200 a month to eligible Lahaina and Kula residents. “I did everything from [my platforms] to go to the People’s Fund of Maui, because I know it goes … directly to the families,” she tells PEOPLE.
“When we were in trouble, it was really nice to see everyone come together,” he adds of the donations that have poured in since August.
But Momoa has other ways to get financial support from the islanders. All proceeds from his collaboration with clothing brand Da Hui, Aloha J Collection, go directly to families affected by the fires.
“I love that I can give something that people can buy, [or] shares from afar,” he says, noting that the holiday season is just around the corner. Customers who want to make a positive difference can “take it home,” he adds.
As an on-screen superhero and powerful Hollywood producer, Momoa is also looking for ways to support and promote his hometown. “Hawaii was a great place to make movies, but not to highlight Hawaiian stories,” he points out.
Along with Dave Bautista’s buddy comedy set in Hawaii, Momo’s upcoming project is War chief — Apple TV+ miniseries about the unification of the Hawaiian kingdoms — co-created and executive produced with colleagues Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom writer Thomas Pa’a Sibbett.
Jason Momoa Reveals ‘That’s a Wrap’ About ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ in Hawaii
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Jason Momoa on December 9th.
VCG/VCG via Getty
“This was my dream,” says Momoa, “to get the money to do something at that level. Now we just have to get people to watch it.”
The multi-hyphenate adds that he’s “very proud” of the series, which is set to premiere in 2024. “It’s my everything,” he says.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be in theaters on December 22.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education