UFC CEO Dana White recently traveled to Hawaii to witness firsthand the impact of a major relief effort that has helped hundreds of wildfire survivors rebuild their lives. According to sources, the visit showcased the completion of housing projects that emerged from a collaborative effort between the UFC organization and local advocates following the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires.
The initiative centers around a partnership with Max Holloway, who played a pivotal role in raising awareness immediately after the fires struck. “Thanks to Max and everything he did to raise awareness when the fires initially happened, and UFC collaborated with him to make a formal commitment and then he’s raised money over the past two years that went towards building the homes to help house over 800 people across two sites, so it’s amazing,” explained one of the project coordinators.
White’s visit coincided with a significant milestone – the celebration of the opening of Homemade Hawaii’s home village, which represents the culmination of two years of fundraising and construction efforts. The housing development provides critical shelter for families who lost everything in the wildfires that swept through Maui.
The human impact of these efforts became evident during earlier visits to the site. “The last time we came before for the first one, we met one guy who lived with his family. He was tearing, like he was just tripping out because like what they said, they give like the first couple months off, like you don’t have to pay nothing, so it was a big help, he was saying, even with work,” recalled one organizer, highlighting how the program provides not just housing but breathing room for families to rebuild their financial stability.
Beyond the immediate housing relief, the partnership has expanded into broader community support initiatives. The collaboration now extends to youth programs across the islands, including work with Boys and Girls Clubs that were also impacted by the fires.
“So in Waianae, on Oahu, where he’s from, the Boys and Girls Club, so he’s on their board now, so we have a gym that he’s coaching at with the kids. So then we met with the Boys and Girls Club of Maui here, so they have two locations that burned down,” detailed a project representative.
The rebuilding efforts for these youth facilities are already underway. “So now that the FEMA has just rebuilt them, we’re gonna put kind of like computer labs and help donate money to put everything in there for them, and Max is gonna put together a team of people to help them,” the organizer continued.
Looking toward sustained support, the partnership has developed plans for ongoing fundraising activities. A golf tournament is being organized to create a recurring revenue stream that will benefit various charitable organizations throughout the islands. “So we’re gonna put everything together, a golf tournament for him, and then the money will go to the charities around the island, year over year, so we’re gonna help them do that.”
The initiative also recognizes and supports local youth sports programs that have shown remarkable resilience. The organizers are particularly focused on jiu-jitsu programs that serve the community’s young people. “They have a couple campaigns here, organizations for youth jiu-jitsu, and then Oahu, so you train with the kids there as well, so we’re gonna encompass that in the fundraising, and kind of give the money back to the jiu-jitsu programs.”
The success of these programs has been notable, with one coordinator pointing out that “the girls jiu-jitsu for Maui is nationally ranked here, so they have great programs here, so we’re gonna try and put the money back in.”
