NEW YORK—The world watched in disbelief on August 8 as brutal wildfires swiftly destroyed Hawaii's historic Lahaina region in Maui and some surrounding areas, in what is now described as the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Even as the disaster was unfolding, those in the optometric and vision care community began to try their best to gauge what was happening and pull together whatever resources they could to immediately help those who suffered tremendous loss and ascertain how they could help.

In a letter to Hawaiian Optometric Association (HOA) members on the day of the fires, the HOA president, Dr. Kristin Shimabukuro, wrote, "Many of you are likely watching the news intently as we learn more about the extent of the ongoing wildfires especially in the areas of Lahaina and Kula. To our colleagues and their families in or nearby the affected areas—please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. There is strength and hope when we come together to take care of each other—even if it's just to check in to make sure you are all ok and safe. On behalf of the entire HOA board, we are here for you. Please feel free to contact Char or myself directly if you are in need of any assistance or support."

Since then, the HOA's executive director, Charlotte Nekota, told VMAIL, "We have had doctors on Maui step up to help displaced patients and industries have also donated products for the patients. Please share that we are eternally grateful for all of the outpouring of help for our profession. We have been in constant touch with our doctors and have had some retired ODs fly to Maui to see patients and help in any way they can."

This week, the American Optometric Association (AOA) posted the comments of some of its AOA-member doctors in Maui, part of a very close-knit community, who described their shock and disbelief about what had happened to the island community. The story, posted here, illuminates some of their poignant comments and perspective. The AOA emphasized that Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR) stands ready to help. A program of Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation, OFDR provides up to $4,000 in financial support to doctors of optometry as well as $250 to optometry students impacted by disasters. 

Along with the HOA and AOA, others in the vision care field, have started to step up. Kering Eyewear, owner of Maui Jim, has donated to the Hawaii Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund, in the wake of the disaster, as VMAIL reported.

VSP Vision and PECAA have have given the Hawaii Optometric Association a grant of $50,000 to help those impacted by the Maui wildfires. In addition, VSP Vision's employees have made donations matched by VSP Vision, currently totaling nearly $16,000 to the American Red Cross and other non-profit organizations helping Maui disaster relief efforts.

To assist VSP network practices on Maui caring for evacuees, the company is also coordinating priority shipment of donated optical frames from Marchon and Altair, as well as VSP Eyes of Hope gift certificates, for practices to use with patients in need of no-cost eye exams and eyewear. VSP noted that those in need of replacement eyewear or eyecare due to this or any disaster can find help available at disaster.vsp.com.

Noted Michael Guyette, VSP Vision president and CEO, “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating Maui wildfires. To help support impacted doctors, VSP and PECAA have provided an immediate and unrestricted grant to the Hawaii Optometric Association, with which we’ve had a long-standing and valued partnership. At this time of need, we are also matching our employee donations for additional disaster relief efforts and services.”

EssilorLuxottica has also mobilized a range of support and relief services. The company told VMAIL, "Following the catastrophic wildfires, we are mobilizing once again to help those who were directly impacted. Our hearts go out to all those whose families are experiencing hardship during this time. We have several of our own EssilorLuxottica colleagues in the region. We’re providing emergency pay to those employees who are unable to work, and we’re activating our Guardian Angel Fund where employees can contribute to their impacted co-workers with company matching.

Further, a spokesperson for EssilorLuxottica noted the assistance of The Vision Source Foundation, created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. "Today, the Foundation extends its support for any licensed optometrist in Maui regardless of whether they are affiliated with Vision Source or EssilorLuxottica. If you or any of your private practice colleagues have been impacted and are in financial need, please contact the Vision Source Foundation through Dr. John McCall at jmccall@VisionSource.com or Leah LeCamus at llecamus@VisionSource.com for immediate consideration."
 
The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s (OSELF) North America team has also quickly mobilized to offer support to eye doctors and partners based in Hawaii who are providing urgent vision care aid to individuals impacted by the devastating wildfires. A spokesperson told VMAIL, "Efforts are taking place in local shelters beginning Monday, Aug. 21, providing vision exams, free glasses, and glasses repairs to those who were injured, or lost/damaged their corrective eyewear due to the wildfires. These efforts will also support first-responders/emergency personnel who are responding to the crisis.

"Through local Hawaii based non-profits, independent eye doctors, and EssilorLuxottica retail support, the Foundation has helped coordinate with a core-team on the ground to serve those impacted. The Foundation has also shipped a variety of product and critical exam equipment to the impacted area and is leveraging its Changing Life Through Lenses network to help connect doctors with eyewear for those in need."

Darrah Ka'uhane of Project Vision Hawaii said, “Thank you for the help! We are so grateful and the shelters are excited to have us next week. Mahalo nui!” With numerous vision clinics planned around North America leading up to World Sight Day, the Foundation team has quickly reconfigured their equipment on hand to ensure these Hawaii teams have the necessary resources to urgently serve these patients, while maintaining their regularly scheduled charitable clinics. 

In addition, EssilorLuxottica's LensCrafters group, which has 6 total locations in Hawaii, one of those in Maui's Kahuli area, is some distance from the impacted fire area. But a company spokesperson told VMAIL that LensCrafters will serve as a central point for any EssilorLuxottica locations on the island to receive any supplies and materials for associates coordinated through OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation (OSELF). (Example: T-shirts and lanyards that all EssilorLuxottica associates will use to identify themselves if they volunteer at the vision clinic mentioned.) 

"Independent from the vision clinic, LensCrafters will continue to accept vouchers given by OSELF to those in need. We are working to quickly increase our frame inventory in-store dedicated to this program, in anticipation of the great need in the area. We will be ready for those with vouchers to redeem and receive eyewear," the spokesperson said.

EssilorLuxottica's Oakley Retail, Costa and Native brand teams have also jumped in to help, sending over 1,000 units of critical products to first responders and those in need. The teams continue to work on additional ways to support team members, accounts and the Maui Community affected by this disaster, the company said.

United Health Group posted on LinkedIn that its United Health Foundation is showing its support by donating $500,000 across the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Maui Food Bank.