Relief efforts start in Hawai'i

By Peter Boylan and David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writers

In Honolulu, the East-West Center is taking a leading role in coordinating local relief efforts for the millions of people in 10 countries affected by Sunday's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

People displaced by Sunday's tsunami gathered yesterday at a relief camp set up at a temple in Varichikudi, India. Gurinder Osan | Associated Press

"We have a lot of people who have been absolutely touched by this and we just have to move forward and help," Knudsen said. "We have folks coming out of the walls who are committed to doing this."

The East-West Center is also holding a tsunami relief fund-raiser Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in its Keoni Auditorium, at the Imin Center. Michael Schuster, curator of the East-West Center Gallery, said dances and music will represent Indonesia, India, Turkey, Japan and other Asian nations. For more information, call Schuster at 944-7543.

The American Red Cross is also accepting monetary donations by mail or by phone (see box).

Food, clothing, bedding and other "bulk items" are not being sought for disaster victims at this time, said Gail Higashi, Red Cross O'ahu disaster coordinator. "Normally, we don't transport bulk donations from sites in the U.S. unless a request is made for them," Higashi said. Red Cross workers are still assessing the needs of disaster victims and will know within 48 hours if items other than cash donations are needed, Higashi said.