Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who once called Hawaii home, has conveyed his profound sorrow in the wake of the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the island of Maui.
The renowned actor, 51, addressed the tragic wildfires, which have tragically claimed more than 90 lives as of Monday morning, through a heartfelt video shared on his Instagram account on Sunday.
In the video, Johnson expressed, “I’m completely heartbroken over this, and I know that all of you are too. Everything that I’ve seen transpire over these past couple of days, everything that continues to transpire, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, it’s all heartbreaking.”
He went on to thank his global supporters for their love, solidarity, and prayers for the people of Hawaii, emphasizing his connection to the islands. Johnson urged those willing to contribute to the relief efforts to access a link in his bio, directing them to his website for donation options.
“I have been in direct communication with local organizations on the ground, and we are actively gathering as much information as we can. The needs are extensive,” he articulated.
In his Instagram caption Dwayne underscored the unwavering faith of Maui’s inhabitants and expressed his gratitude for the brave actions of first responders, healthcare teams, local businesses, and hotels that have rallied to assist in the aftermath of the fires, dubbing them as “our local heroes.”
Dwayne Johnson tagged the nonprofit organization Hawaii Community Foundation in his post, highlighting their Maui Fund initiative aimed at providing crucial resources for disaster response and recovery.
Accompanying his video, Johnson shared several images capturing the extent of the devastation caused by the wildfires across Maui.
The former professional wrestler stands alongside fellow celebrities in their efforts to aid Maui’s recovery from the catastrophic fires.
Also in response to the tragedy, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez pledged a substantial $100 million, while Oprah Winfrey committed to a significant contribution to the relief cause.
The wildfires, initially reported on August 8, have relentlessly spread throughout the regions of Lahaina and Kula in Maui, leaving behind a trail of devastation and destruction. The evacuation of thousands of residents and visitors has been ongoing, and with the mounting death toll, concerns about additional casualties intensify.
The fires have left numerous individuals unaccounted for. During a press conference shared by The Washington Post, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier implored residents to undergo DNA testing if they have family members who are missing. “Identifying your loved ones is crucial,” he emphasized.
Data from the press conference revealed that since August 9, approximately 40,000 people have been evacuated from Maui, with some individuals still deliberating their departure at the airport.