Dwayne Johnson
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Dwayne Johnson says he’s touched by all the messages he’s received from survivors who have benefited from the People’s Fund of Maui following last month’s wildfires, but he also appreciates those who have spoken openly about their struggles with the fund .
The actor and producer responded to public criticism of the fund, which he launched with Oprah Winfrey at the end of August, in an Instagram video published over the weekend. The Entertainment Industry Foundation fund was launched with an initial donation of $10 million from Winfrey and Johnson, but called on members of the global community to pitch in to provide monthly donations of $1,200 for those affected by the wildfires to support displaced people in Lahaina and Kula.
While Winfrey said the idea for the fund grew out of a similar initiative by beloved musician Dolly Parton, it drew criticism from some who argued that people with Winfrey and Johnson’s wealth could have simply invested more in the fund themselves , rather than ask people of fewer means for financial assistance.
“When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash,” Johnson said in an Instagram video posted Sunday, confirming that the first round of support had gone to members of the Maui community. “I get it and completely get it. I could have been better – and I will be better next time.”
In the video’s caption, Johnson addressed the backlash again, sharing that members of his social media community “just know how to be REAL with each other.”
“You always tell me the truth – good or bad – I will always value and protect that clear communication between us. You have my word to always listen, learn, grow and do better,” he continued. “I have never launched a fund before – trust me, I am a quick learner and learn my lessons quickly. I completely understand and I appreciate you.”
During the Instagram video, Johnson also addressed the “strength of our people” in Maui, calling the resilience of the displaced islanders “beautiful and inspiring.”
“Watching families and communities come together after this tragedy is inspiring and I am proud of our Polynesian people. Thank you to everyone who helped by sending resources, love and prayers to everyone affected by the fires and a loving mahalo and RESPECT to our OG cultural leaders, our local community organizations and all of our first responders and every person who “We have come together to help our people,” he added.
Last month, Winfrey shared her reaction to the backlash over the fund, explaining that criticism of her and Johnson often impacted the community that needed attention.
“I was so excited about it. Then I got up the next morning and saw all this nastiness and thought, ‘Wow, what happened here?'” Winfrey said during an appearance on CBS Mornings. “Everything online [conversations] – name-calling, lies, conspiracy theories – really took the focus away from what was most important, and that was the people of Maui.”
Winfrey expressed that the fund, which the media mogul said had identified 2,200 wildfire victims looking for financial assistance at the time of her September interview, was not the end all be all but a pipeline for people seeking one Opportunity to help directly.
“I think in the beginning there were so many people calling and asking, ‘Where do we put our money?’ So I thought, ‘I’m going to give people a place to… We’re going to create something,'” she recalls. “Putting money directly into people’s hands is a significant thing.”