Free Meal Kitchen for Hawaii Wildfire Victims

After wildfires ravaged the town of Lahaina, some of Hawaii's most famous chefs stepped up to help in what they know best.

“We know that food is medicine,” said Sheldon Simeo, a Maui chef and Hawaiian food ambassador, as he busied himself in his Kahului kitchen, whipping up thousands of meals a day. “For the victims of the wildfires, bringing them a hot meal instead of a canned food helps them connect to Hawaii.”

"I hope this is the beginning of healing," Simeo said.

Volunteers prepare free meals for families affected by the Hawaii wildfires in the kitchen of the University of Hawaii in Central Maui on August 13. Photo: AFP — Volunteers prepare free meals in the kitchen of the University of Hawaii in Central Maui on August 13. Photo: *AFP*

Lahaina, a historic tourist town of about 12,000 people on the west coast of the Hawaiian island of Maui, was devastated by a raging wildfire that began last week, killing at least 106 people and leaving thousands homeless. Officials say the death toll is expected to rise as damage assessments continue.

More than 1,400 people were left homeless in temporary shelters, with relatives or spending the night in their cars. As criticism of the government’s slow response grew, Hawaiians took their own initiative to cope with the tragedy.

The kitchen at the culinary school at the University of Hawaii in Kahului, about 30 miles north of Lahaina, is bustling with the sounds of cooking. Volunteers scoop food into containers, which are then placed in coolers.

Simeon and other celebrity chefs like Top Chef contestant Lee Anne Wong, whose restaurant burned down in the wildfires, are working three shifts to cook for those who lost their homes and those who remain in Lahaina.

"Some of the chefs lost their homes in the wildfires. And yet they're here with us cooking for the community, showing us what 'aloha' is," Simeon said, referring to the Hawaiian greeting that represents love, peace and friendship.

A team of chefs and dozens of volunteers prepare and cook about 9,000 meals a day.

"I've worked in big restaurants all my life and I've never seen this much food," said chef Taylor Ponter.

“Pig farmers are bringing in 4,000 pounds of meat. There’s 2,000 pounds of salmon coming in from Alaska. People are bringing in hundreds of pounds of local watermelon. It’s a lot of food,” he said, taking a break from a stressful day at work.

Volunteers hand out food to pets at the Maui Humane Center in Puunene, Central Maui, Hawaii, August 15. Photo: AFP — Volunteers hand out food to pets at the Maui Humane Center in Puunene, Central Maui, Hawaii, August 15. Photo: *AFP*

The menu is based on what's available but there's an emphasis on variety. Sunday lunch is Thai curry with local mackerel, dinner is macaroni and cheese with minced beef sauce.

"Preparing 7,000 - 9,000 servings a day is a lot of work, we have to be creative with the ingredients we have," Simeon said.

Volunteer groups picked up the food, delivered it to shelters and the town of Laihaina, still hot. As soon as lunch was ready, the chefs started preparing dinner.

Many volunteers come to help so the chefs can rest between long shifts. Ponte doesn't complain. "We're just tired. The others are tired, hungry and homeless," he says. "Being a chef means never really sleeping."

Hong Hanh (According to AFP )

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