The Pokémon Company International has revealed that it has donated $200,000 to GlobalGiving’s Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund following the announcement of Hawaii as the host location for the 2024 Pokémon World Championships.
This donation has been directed towards providing assistance for wildfire relief and recovery endeavors within communities impacted by the wildfires on Maui and the Big Island. The fires have already claimed numerous lives, caused substantial destruction, and garnered worldwide attention. The funds are intended to address survivors’ immediate needs while fostering long-term recovery initiatives.
The company articulated its sentiments through a social media post: “Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the devastating wildfires in Hawai’i.” The explanation affirms that the $200,000 donation will be channeled to the Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund via GlobalGiving.
While a substantial portion of the Pokémon community expressed gratitude for the support, a fraction voiced concerns about the timing of the company’s donation. The decision to host the Pokémon World Championship in Hawaii was planned by The Pokémon Company long before the onset of the recent wildfires. Nevertheless, some individuals have registered dissent, characterizing the announcement as insensitive or undersized in the face of the predicament. The Pokémon Company International successfully conducted the 2023 World Championships in Yokohama, Japan. The event culminated with the announcement that the subsequent 2024 World Championships would transpire in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Hawaii’s strategic positioning between the continental U.S. and Japan has rendered it a preferred locale for Pokémon Company International. The organization previously chose Kona, Hawaii, as the venue for World Championships in 2007, 2010, and 2012. The forthcoming 2024 event will mark the first time since 2019 that the Pokémon World Championships will return to the United States.
The reactions stem from the region’s residents urging visitors to refrain from coming for years due to the adverse consequences on the local populace and the environment. Although tourism is the region’s primary income source, it is a concern that such an event and the number of visitors it may attract may hinder recovery efforts and processes.
