Blackstone is donating money and accommodations for some employees and others affected by the deadly fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui where the investment giant owns the Ritz-Carlton Maui and the Grand Wailea.
The investment firm is giving $1.5 million in relocation, relief and assistance payments and charitable donations to support employees as well as residents of its real estate properties and the people of Maui. The funds are from Blackstone’s companies, plus its charitable foundations and employees.
The wildfires broke out Aug. 8 in West Maui, killing at least 115 people and devastating the historic city of Lahaina. The fires changed the lives of the employees of the Ritz-Carlton Maui and their families, "many of whom are longtime Lahaina residents and have lost their homes and so much more," Andrew Rogers, general manager of the hotel in Kapalua, said in a statement. "This donation by our owners will go a long way toward meeting their immediate needs and helping our island recover.”
Each resident and employee at its properties who lost a house will receive $3,000 in relocation and relief payments, Blackstone said. The company also plans to give $500,000 to the Hawaii Community Foundation and Maui Food Bank from Blackstone's charitable foundations and senior leaders.
Blackstone is providing about 1,750 meals daily through both the Grand Wailea and Ritz Maui in partnership with celebrity chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen. The Ritz-Carlton has more than 130 rooms providing shelter for hundreds of displaced employees, their families and essential workers. The Grand Wailea was a lead sponsor and host of the Aug. 19 Wiwoʻole Maui Benefit Concert featuring Maui musical talent to raise funds for the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
"We hope this support, coupled with our teams working tirelessly to provide shelter, food and other donations, will help ease the burden of residents and employees at our properties, and all those who call Maui home," Kathleen McCarthy, global co-head of Blackstone Real Estate, said in a statement.