Venezuelans in Hawaii host events to raise money, supplies for earthquake victims

News admin July 5, 2026 0 Comments

Venezuelans in Hawaii host events to raise money, supplies for earthquake victims

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Venezuela is still reeling from back-to-back earthquakes that hit last month, with nearly 3,000 dead, and tens of thousands injured and missing.

Venezuelans in Hawaii are stepping up to help earthquake victims through pop-up fundraisers and donation drives.

Jurian Rojas is originally from La Guaira in north central Venezuela, the state hardest hit by twin earthquakes on June 24th.

“My direct family, they’re all OK. Just scratches, you know, hurt here and there, but OK,” he said.

But they lost their homes. With much of the infrastructure wiped out, Rojas says survivors urgently need money to buy food and supplies.

His business, Guaiqueri Empanadas, is hosting pop-up events to raise cash to send directly to volunteers on the ground doing relief work.

The disaster comes just six months after the U.S. removed former President Nicolás Maduro, and backed an interim government some critics have called slow and ineffective.

Rojas says fake organizations and corrupt local officials at well-known global nonprofits are taking advantage of the disaster.

“My feed is packed with Venezuelan news and I will say 70, 75% are fake or not true,” he said. “People are actually awakening like people who support the government now they realize, oh wait a second, our government is letting us down.”

He suggests donating to nonprofit World Central Kitchen by chef Jose Andres.

“They are there doing their thing. They are making meals, helping another kitchen, you know, collaborating here and there,” he said.

Rosalys Nunes is also from La Guaira. She’s collecting donations through her company, Island Facility Services in Waianae.

“It’s painful to me be so far away, frustrated. That I cannot do nothing else to help them,” Nunes said. “I’m calling my ohana in Hawaii to please show up show up for my country.”

Nunes says people need tents, nonperishable food, medical supplies, hygiene items and clothing. Drop-offs are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I’m grieving that my country is falling apart and there are people that I know that are missing,” said Caracas native, artist and filmmaker Fe Maria Vasquez.

“Luckily, my family has been safe and sound, however, I do have mothers of friends that were not able to be saved.”

Vasquez plans to hold an art exhibit later this year to raise funds for legitimate relief groups on the ground.

“It’s not gonna get better, it’s gonna get worse. It’s a lot now that comes after the physical devastation,” Vasquez said. “I hope that people don’t look away, that will still some somehow be connected.”

Guaiqueri Empanadas is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, July 5, at Waikiki Community Center from 3-8 p.m.

They are also doing a joint pop-up with foodie vlogger Tommy Oh on Monday, July 6, at 1232 Waimanu St. #2 in Ala Moana starting at 12 p.m. where they will be selling a new Hawaiian and Korean-inspired empanada made with spam and kimchi.

You can also find Guaiqueri Empanadas at Waianuenue Food Truck Park at 1110 University Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or follow on Instagram @guaiqueri_hawaii.