Ohio State OL Enokk Vimahi Asks Fans to Donate, Help Hawaii

The native Hawaiian and fifth-year Buckeye asked fans and media to donate to the American Red Cross' relief efforts as wildfires tear through his home state.

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi used some of his time in front of the cameras on Tuesday to ask for help on behalf of his home state.

A native of Kahuku on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Vimahi appealed to Buckeyes fans, media, and everyone watching his interview to donate to the American Red Cross' efforts to stop the wildfires currently blazing across the islands.

"If any of you would be kind enough to donate, (American) Red Cross has set up a number, 9-0-9-9-9, and you just text "Hawaii" to it and you can donate $10," Vimahi said. "If you can, please help the people over there in Lahaina and in Maui, please."

Vimahi said he does not currently have any family members in danger on the island, as his home on Oahu is a 30-minute plane ride from Maui, but knows some friends who do.

The fifth-year Buckeye did say he has been getting updates from one of his brothers, who flew home from California a few days ago.

"My brother...flew into Maui, which was his connection, and he was saying a lot of the tickets to get out are a lot cheaper now, and people are starting to get out," Vimahi said. 

With the cost to travel to the popular vacation spot now cheaper than at the start of the fires, Vimahi pleaded people remember what is still happening as they think of returning to the island.

"The one thing I will say is that a lot of tourists are now planning on going back in because of how cheap the tickets are," Vimahi said. "Please be mindful of everything that's going on. There are a lot of lives affected, a lot of people affected. A lot of lives lost, a lot of homes lost and a lot of environment lost. That's something the people of Hawaii, we take very seriously.

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