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A Hawaiian dance school in northern California is hoping to raise money to send to Maui in the wake of the deadly and devastating wildfires.Many members of the Ohana Dance Group, a traditional Hawaiian hula school in Sacramento, have a connection to Maui. Student Ana Manzano was born and raised there, and she still has family members who live on the island near where the fires burned.“That is around the corner from where I grew up. It just hits differently,�� Manzano said. “It was a lot to process. I’m still processing it. I honestly cry every day.”Manzano, who now lives in Sacramento, said her family is safe. But for her, it’s the destruction across the island that keeps her up at night.“I’m thinking about the cultural sites. I’m thinking about the historical significance of it,�� Manzano said. “I’m like, how do we even begin to repair this, and that’s where it really motivates me to act.”That motivation is felt throughout the Ohana Dance Group. Members of the dance school are planning several events to raise money for those in need in Maui. Manzano said it is the least they can do.“You’re a tiny island chain in the middle of the Pacific, but we have you. As much as we can do, we’re going to do,�� Manzano said.The school will be turning its already-scheduled open house into a fundraiser. The event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 26 at the Ohana Dance Group’s studio, located at 6235 Belleau Wood Lane in Sacramento. It will include a rummage sale and bake sale where 100% of the proceeds will go to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.Student Jeanelle Loui said the open house was originally meant to help the dance students take a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii and perform there. The plan now is to donate the funds to the response and recovery efforts in Maui.“Initially, this was something established to raise funds to take our students back to the islands, but now, we’ve kind of pivoted,�� Loui said. “We want to do what we can to support our loved ones and our family out there.”The Ohana Dance Group is also planning a benefit concert. The dance school told our sister station KCRA 3 they are working with other Hawaiian dance groups in Northern California to organize a donation drive. Organizers said for those looking for more information or who are interested in donating, they can email [email protected].