Saipan’s expats rush to organize storm relief

In the wake of the most destructive typhoon to hit Saipan in 30 years and with a pair of tropical storms soon to pass through the western Pacific, the Saipan community in Honolulu is mobilizing quickly to coordinate local relief efforts.

Typhoon Soudelor struck Saipan on Aug. 2, destroying homes, knocking down power lines and displacing more than 500 people. The storm is believed to have been responsible for at least 34 deaths as it continued on to Taiwan and China.

On Saturday, Saipan remained under a tropical storm warning and a typhoon watch as Tropical Storm Goni moved northwest of Guam. Forecasters are also tracking the progress of Tropical Storm Atsani, which was following a more northwesterly path on Saturday but could yet cause problems for the Northern Marianas islands.

“The typhoon was devastating for a lot of families,” said Dion Mesta, a Honolulu resident who was born and raised in Saipan. “There were more than 500 people in shelters last week, but many others chose to stay on their properties, even though their homes are destroyed and there is not power or water. It’s a bad situation.”

Mesta and other Saipan natives living in Hawaii have been working with the Marianas-Hawaii Medical Referral Office to organize a Saipan Relief Hawaii Drive.

Organizers are seeking donations of unscented baby wipes, disposable disinfectant wipes, new gas cans, batteries, headlamps, flashlights, battery-operated lanterns, mosquito coils, bug spray, tarps, pop-up tents, new pillows, light blankets, gently used clothing, folding pool chairs (to be used as makeshift beds) and hand sanitizer.

Donations will be accepted at the Safeway store at 1360 Pali Highway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 23. More information is at saipanrelief.com.

Other businesses and community groups have been active in the relief effort. Bank of Hawaii branches across the state are accepting donations for Saipan relief that will be directed to the American Red Cross. Check donations may be made payable to “American Red Cross — Saipan Disaster Relief” and deposited at any Bank of Hawaii branch. Cash donations are also being accepted.

The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is also accepting donations, at hawaii.salvationarmy.org or by calling The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Divisional Headquarters on Oahu at 988-2136.