Dwayne Johnson is one of the standout stars in Hollywood. However, before he made it big in showbiz, Johnson was a professional wrestler. He is, of course, well-known as The Rock, a moniker that has stuck with him since his WWE days. Dwayne is also known for his passionate projects, particularly those that concern Maui.
The Rock recently appeared on the podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, called the Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan is a UFC commentator and television host and often invites industry bigshots to his podcast. This time it was Johnson, and they spoke on a variety of subjects.
One of the topics they touched upon was the Maui wildfires and the relief efforts to help the people. Rogan brought up how Maui is often overlooked by the government, and Johnson added how he has helped the locals.
He mentioned starting the People’s Fund and how it has helped over 8,000 people so far. The Rock went on to elaborate that each person has received $1200 every month since.
Maui witnessed the worst wildfires in American history and has seen the death toll cross over 100. Dwayne and his team have been working nonstop to provide support. At the same time, his team is also in touch with government agencies, as the island is a part of the USA. The Rock had a very simple request to his followers: “Don’t forget about Maui,” he said.
Why did Dwayne Johnson face a backlash for the Maui Fund?
Since the wildfires broke out in Maui, Dwayne Johnson and Oprah Winfrey got together to start a relief fund for the people of the island. They launched the People’s Fund of Maui and donated $10 million.
The cash would go directly to the people who were affected by the fires. “Collaborating closely with an esteemed advisory board and support from the local community and respected elders, this new fund will serve as a bridge to provide cash directly to the families and individuals affected so that they can personally determine how best to use the funds for themselves,” read the joint statement (via NBC News).
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There was a backlash from the general public since Oprah and Johnson asked people to help them too. Many even labeled it a scam.
The Rock later addressed the backlash on Instagram. He stated that he understood that some people might not be able to, given their financial circumstances. Johnson added that he was a quick learner since people addressed their concerns.
What does the island of Maui mean to the Rock?
Dwayne Johnson has a personal connection to Hawaii, particularly Maui. Besides loving the culture of Hawaii, he got married to his girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, there in 2019.
Moreover, his family line can be traced back to the island. On the podcast, Johnson revealed that his grandparents were buried there. This alone is of tremendous significance to the Fast & Furious actor.
Dwayne Johnson’s efforts to help his people are very noble. It remains to be seen if the government can wake up and pay heed to their own people first.