The wildfires in Maui have been raging since August 8 and continue to wreak havoc on the Hawaiian island.
Maui County confirmed on Monday that 115 people have died as a result of the fires and an additional 850 are missing. In addition, 2,700 buildings have been destroyed by the fires, reducing the livelihoods and homes of countless people to dust.
Ashira Fox, an artist who sells NFTs of her highly digitized still images or scanographs, is participating to help supplement the tens of millions of dollars already raised to help Maui recover from this weeks-long natural disaster.
Fox announced a 48-hour NFT open edition on Rarible, featuring a scan of a white plumeria flower. The flower is common in Maui and tourists can even take tours to witness the hundreds of varieties.
All proceeds from the sale of the open edition will go to the Maui fund set up by crypto donation company Giving Block. The open edition NFTs will retail for 0.009 ETH ($150) and will drop at 12:00 ET on Tuesday.
Fox also drew attention to Giving Block’s Maui Fund itself, linking directly to it and reminding people that the company will match the first $500,000 it receives in donations, which would bring the total to $1 million. The Giving Block has raised over $133,000 since this article was published.
I’m dropping this 48 hour open edition w @rarible tmrw @ 9am for 0.009 eth.
All proceeds go to @TheGivingBlock’s Maui Fund where @rookisaacman (CEO of @shift4) matches donations 1:1 up to $500,000
Do not sleep. This scanograph is beautifully enlarged. #Plumeria #LahainaStrong pic.twitter.com/PXWLrbasQT
— Ashira | 48 hours OE on Rarible 22/8 @ 9:00 pt (@AshirasArt) August 22, 2023
There are countless other charities – the American Red Cross, the Maui Strong Fund, Maui United Way and others – dedicated to raising funds for those who have been displaced or have lost family and friends.