Typhoon Maysak caused a lot of damage to islands in Micronesia, with rain and wind particularly hitting the states of Chuuk and Yap.

At least five people were killed, thousands are said to remain homeless and agricultural lands were destroyed.

Care to help?

The residents of Kuhio Park in Kalihi, the Honolulu neighborhood near downtown, are accepting donations to help victims of the storm that first struck on April 1. 

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The greatest need is said to be for nonperishable goods, tents and tarps, hygienic products such as soap, toothpaste and tissue; flashlights, batteries, canned foods, water and rice.

Donations can be dropped off at The Tower of Kuhio Park, Tower B parking lot, 1545 Lunapuni Street, in the parking lot nearest the School Street entrance from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from now through Saturday. 

“Of course we feel grief for those whose lives have been uprooted. Now we need to turn that grief into action by sending what we can,” said organizer of the relief effort and president of the Tower Resident Association, Sass Gouland. “We thank God for the people at Matson for helping out with the donation of a shipping container and for its delivery to the islands. It is this container that makes this giving possible.”

For more information on how to make a donation, please call or text Sass Gouland at 808-723-1085. 

Emergency operation centers are open in Chuuk and Yap states while the government is conducting needs assessments with support from the International Organization for Migration and Micronesia Red Cross Society.

That’s according to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, which serves development in 22 Pacific island countries and territories.

“A state of emergency remains in place in the states of Chuuk and Yap following severe damage to crops, water catchments, buildings, solar installations and other infrastructure caused by the category five typhoon just over one week ago,” according to an SPC press release.