ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Several former Island residents are lending assistance to the fire-stricken areas in Maui, Hawaii.
Fires broke out there on Aug. 8, killing more than 100 people, with many more missing.
“They grew up on the Island and are now living in Hawaii,” said Ronee Brady, owner of the West Coast Surf Shop in Holmes Beach. “I’ve known them since they were coming to the surf shop as kids.”
Josh Riccio, an Anna Maria Island native, is now a firefighter currently working in Maui, Brady said.
“I’ve known Josh since he was a kid,” Brady said. “He just got his badge as a firefighter out there. Josh was just on Anna Maria not too long ago for a visit and went back to Hawaii to this.”
Brady’s granddaughter, Izzi Gomez, is a big wave surfer who grew up on the Island and lives on Maui.
“She’s in California right now, but she has loaned her apartment to people who were displaced by the fires,” Brady said.
Brice Hamilton, a Bradenton native, is out there helping to do what he can, she said.
Helicopter pilot Nick Taylor, another Anna Maria Island native she’s known since he was young, is helping to deliver supplies via helicopter. Taylor has been posting updates on social media.
“We’ve been watching his notifications on Instagram and Facebook and we’re seeing that Nick has been able to deliver supplies there,” Brady said.
Taylor posted on Facebook: “My home and my health are intact… Sorry it took so long to reply, we were without power and cell service on the west side for several days. I spent most of that time at Kapalua airfield helping the Maui fire department to coordinate with all the of the helicopter companies here on Maui, bringing in emergency supplies by air while the roads were closed.”
He added: “All I know is, I can use my hands to help those who need it most, I can use my heart to love on those who have just lost everything, I can use my coin to donate to worthwhile local causes, and my brain will surely come in handy with all of the obstacles ahead.”
The West Coast Surf Shop Facebook page shared an Instagram post from Taylor: “We are so relieved that our AMI Fam @nicktaylor941 @joshriccio @lilripper941 @bricehamilton_ are all safe and sound. This is so heartbreaking, overwhelming and devastating. Maui holds a special place in our hearts and we would like to give back as much as we can for all of the aloha and joy Maui has brought into our lives.”
Taylor asked those who would like to help to send “Prayers, love, donations, legal advice, catastrophic advice, medical assistance, fundraising ideas, housing assistance, FEMA information, etc.”
“We will make sure everything goes directly to the source,” Taylor’s post continues. “We have local boots on the ground shedding all their blood, sweat and tears.”
Contact these organizations to help:
