The news out of Maui and especially Lahaina has been horrible for more than a week. More than 100 deaths have been reported and the number continues to rise. Most of the town of Lahaina burned to the ground.

Looking for some good things to talk about, I found a few stories that bring a little bit of hopefulness to the situation. Tragic and catastrophic events can bring out the best in people.

I’m a sap for animal stories. I’m always worried about domestic pets during disasters because they are dependent on their humans, much like children. A Maui animal shelter is housing pets whose humans lost their homes in the fires. The Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation in Wailuku is taking in 100 pets, including dogs, cats, and tortoises. I saw some rabbits in photos, too. The foundation will care for the pets until their owners have stable housing.

Dawn Pfendler, CEO of Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation, said taking care of pets gives residents fewer things to worry about.

“Humans need the pets as much as the pets need the humans,” she said. “So we’re really not sure what to expect. So we’re trying to prepare for a marathon, not a sprint.”

The Maui Humane Society is reuniting pets with owners. It has recovered more than 50 animals from Lahaina, including 12 that were hospitalized. Eight animals had been reunited with their families, as of earlier this week. CEO Lisa M. Labrecque said on Monday that about 3,000 animals are missing on the island.

An emergency airlift came to happen because of a partnership between Greater Good Charities, Southwest Airlines and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. It will make it possible for the Maui Humane Society to care for even more pets displaced by the wildfires. It will ensure they have care until they can be reunited with their families. A Southwest Airlines aircraft landed at Maui’s Kahului Airport Thursday. It brought hundreds of Good Packs filled with survival and comfort supplies like t-shirts, blankets, flashlights, socks, and hygiene kits. That aircraft leaves on Friday with more than 100 shelter pets from Maui Humane Society and flies to Portland, Oregon. The animals will be received by Oregon Humane Society to prepare them for new homes. The emergency airlift will include at least 30 dogs and 70 cats that will go from Maui to Portland.

Greater Good Charities is the same organization that offered free spay and neuter programs on Kaua‘i before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I could not sit by and watch Maui residents lose their pets, and everything else in their lives,” said Mirah Horowitz, the founder and CEO of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and a former executive director of the Kaua‘i Humane Society.

“As a longtime resident of Kaua‘i, I am proud to be part of this effort to bring much-needed relief to our Maui ‘ohana. This partnership between Greater Good Charities, Southwest Airlines and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue will make it possible for the Maui Humane Society to care for even more pets displaced by the wildfires, and ensure they have care until they can be reunited with their families.”

That’s a good story.

How about a good story about Spam? The canned meat kind of Spam that is so dearly loved in Hawaii. Mainlanders may make jokes about Spam but it’s a mainstay in Hawaiian diets. Spam is partnering with Convoy of Hope, a humanitarian organization, to send food to Hawaiian residents affected by the wildfires.

“We’ve been at a loss for words seeing the devastation that is happening on Maui,” the brand wrote in a Facebook post on Aug. 10.

“To our ‘ohana on Maui, we see you and love you. We’ve been working with our trusted partners on how we can help,” the post continued. “We will continue to stay connected with our partners on the islands and ask all of our fans to continue to surround Maui with support and love.”

“They are our Ohana. They are truly our family, our friends, they bring the Spam Brand to life,” Jennesa Kinscher, senior brand manager for Hormel Foods, told ABC affiliate, KAAL.

“Now is our time to let our Ohana know that we see them, we love them, we’re supporting them,” Kinscher continued. “We need to come together for Maui. It’s going to take years for them to rebuild.”

As a spokesman for Convoy of Hope said, it is about hope for those who have been caught in a disaster. Give them hope that they can get through the catastrophe. Everyone needs food, especially food that lasts. Spam doesn’t have to be refrigerated, which is a key feature in disasters.

It’s the little things for those living through a nightmare that make a difference. Maybe it’s Spam for some who will be comforted by the gesture. Good for Hormel for stepping up with a unique product that will make a difference on Maui.

Governor DeSantis is sending resources to Hawaii to help.

Florida has deployed specialized K-9s and handlers from Florida’s USAR Teams to Maui. I’ve spoken with @GovJoshGreenMD and have offered any resources they may need in the coming days and weeks.

Florida stands with the people of Hawaii.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 17, 2023

It’s going to be a long time before the people on that side of Maui begin to feel normal again. If ever. In the meantime, there’s hope that some good works can make their lives a little better along the way.