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In 1917, Queen Liliuokalani sewed a Red Cross flag that flew above Iolani Palace during World War I. Red Cross volunteers were busy in the Throne Room rolling bandages for the war. The Hawaii Red Cross was chartered as a chapter of the American Red Cross, and the flag was presented to the Territorial Governor on Sept. 14, 1917.

Queen Liliuokalani proclaimed, “The flag is an expression of my warm and hearty sympathy for the cause of humanity.” Today, the original flag remains at the Diamond Head Red Cross headquarters in Oahu.

Over the years, the Hawaii Red Cross has assisted victims of floods, fires, and health epidemics, to name just a few disasters. They’ve trained people in first aid, water safety, and home fire preparedness.

Further, they have assisted and supported the U.S. military’s active and retired service members at home and abroad.

Recently, back-to-back storms Helene and Milton caused unprecedented destruction in Florida and North Carolina. On Sept. 26 Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm and carved a path from Florida’s Gulf Coast to Tennessee.

Ten days later, Hurricane Milton strengthened in the warm waters of the Gulf from a Category 2 to a Category 5 in just a few hours and made landfall on the Florida coastline on Oct. 9 as a Category 3. Storm surges, strong winds, and rainfall were more extensive and intense than predicted.

As of Oct. 14, approximately 2,100 Red Cross responders are helping people across the Southeast deal with immense losses. Severe weather events like these can impact Hawaii, and we must be ready.

Multiple Challenges

The American Red Cross faces multiple challenges due to the frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters. Globally, over the past decade, 83% of all natural disasters were triggered by extreme weather and climate-related events. The humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis will be worse in the future without efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfire, caused partly by the climate crisis, was one of the largest wildfires in U.S. history. Hawaii Red Cross response workers quickly deployed to the scene, and many other Red Cross volunteers flew in from all over the country to join the mission. Over the next six months, an estimated 32,700 people were reached by American Red Cross disaster relief and recovery services.

Serving overseas as a U.S. State Department Family Liaison Officer, I helped prepare and, when necessary, helped evacuate official Americans serving abroad when disasters hit. After the Maui wildfires, like so many others drawn to help during this disaster, I volunteered for the Hawaii Red Cross. I then became interested in how the climate crisis impacts the Red Cross rescue, recovery, and support mission.

As the Red Cross responded to the Maui wildfires and remained on the ground to help with the recovery, it was simultaneously readying volunteers and supplies in advance of Hurricane Idalia along the Gulf Coast. At the same time, it responded to a typhoon in Guam and extreme flooding in the Northeast.

The Red Cross has to be ready to deploy volunteers to multiple disasters occurring simultaneously in different geographical locations, with the uncertainty of future weather events and the growing intensity of the disasters.

The climate crisis is increasing the likelihood of severe weather events in communities in the Pacific Islands. The climate-driven impacts have resulted in a need to strategically increase Red Cross resources.

“Our changing climate is a humanitarian crisis for the communities and people we serve,” said Gail McGovern, former Red Cross CEO, “and as fast as we are working to adapt, the needs are escalating faster. There is no time to wait.”

Instead of seasonal climate events, there are now year-round disasters. There are a greater number of events, with increasing intensity. As a result, the Red Cross is responding to more humanitarian events and needs more resources — shelters, volunteers, and financing.

Our isolated island state has fragile infrastructure and a complex supply chain. If a category 4 or 5 hurricane were to blow through our islands, there would be sizable challenges to rescue and recovery.

“The American Red Cross is at a pivotal moment in our 140-year-plus history”, Red Cross Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Anderson said. “On the frontlines of the climate crisis, our volunteers are working tirelessly to help families and communities struggling with the growing frequency and intensity of disasters.”

The Red Cross has responded to the climate crisis by cutting emissions, reducing waste, and lowering water use.
It continued to invest in green energy and launched multiple pilots aimed at fleet electrification, and sustainable supplies. “Green Teams” were kicked off, which are voluntary communities of employees and volunteers actively advancing sustainability efforts within their regions and business units.

In addition, the Red Cross urges the adoption of public policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Without a reduction of emissions, the Earth will become even warmer than it is now, and climate-fueled disasters will become more frequent and more extreme. Prevention is critical, but when disasters do occur, the Red Cross will be there.

The people of Hawaii take pride in their community and grassroots cohesiveness in disasters and preparation for disasters. There are many ways that you can be involved and help.

There is a need for more Red Cross volunteers. The Red Cross has a well-developed training program for volunteers to participate with the Hawaii Red Cross in many capacities.
The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis. Like the Maui wildfires, one doesn’t think it could happen here or that it could happen again — until it does.

A difference is made by each community, each group, and each individual who chooses to volunteer or donate. Now is the time to become involved and step up to help the humanitarian mission of the Hawaii Red Cross.

For further information, to learn how you can support your community.