Pokemon Company Makes Donation For Hawaii Relief After Honolulu 2024 World Championships Announcement

With the Pokemon World Championships returning to Hawaii next year, the Pokemon Company has announced a $200,000 donation to a relief fund for the Maui wildfires. The natural disaster has seen the death toll climb to near 100 people, with a reported $6 billion in damages.

The 2024 Pokemon World Championships will specifically take in place in Honolulu, which isn't the same island as Maui. Instead, it resides on Oahu. Hawaii has been host to the championships three times in the past--2007, 2010, and 2012--but all three events were on the Big Island.

An official statement on the donation was provided on the Pokemon website: "Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in Hawai'i," said Colin Palmer, a vice president with the Pokemon Company International. "Our immediate priority is to aid children, families, and their affected communities. To support relief efforts, The Pokemon Company International is making an immediate monetary donation of $200,000 to its partner at GlobalGiving through its Hawai'i Wildfire Relief Fund."

Eurogamer reports there has been some social media backlash to the timing of the Pokemon World Championships location reveal as well as the total amount of money donated. Hawaii also served as the inspiration behind the Alola region that debuted with Pokemon Sun and Moon.

The Hawaii governor's office on Twitter has provided information on how you can help in the wake of the Maui wildfires. Here's a direct link to the Hawai'i Community Foundation as well.

For more on the franchise, check out all of the big announcements from the Pokemon Presents earlier this month.