In response to the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii this week, PADI® is committed to supporting those in the scuba diving community whose livelihoods have been uprooted.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” says Drew Richardson, CEO and President of PADI Worldwide. “United above and below the surface of our shared blue planet, we stand together with the dive community to provide strength and speed in recovery efforts.”
To help the local diving community in Maui recover, PADI has teamed up with the Ako’ako’a Foundation, creating a relief fund to directly assist members in Maui get back on their feet and in the water as soon as possible.
The Ako’ako’a Foundation is based in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, whose passion and purpose is to unite the stakeholders of Hawaii’s nearshore marine environments and work together to create positive ocean change.
Join PADI and the Ako’ako’a Foundation with your support of relief efforts for the diving community.
100% of all donations to this relief fund will be distributed directly to dive professionals in Hawaii in need of recovery from the devastating fires.
If you are an individual or business in Hawaii who wishes to extend or receive support, contact PADI Regional Manager Kyle Ingram at kyle.ingram@padi.com.
More information about Ako’ako’a Foundation Inc (the Akoakoa Foundation):
Our mission is to bring stakeholders of Hawaii’s nearshore marine environment together to encourage sustainable interactions, support conservation efforts, further scientific understanding, and increase access to related education. We’re a new federally recognized non-profit organization and are working with PADI and the local dive community in Hawaii to support our dive industry family.