HOUSTON – Since the wildfires devastated Maui in August, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has dug into relief efforts in his homeland.
The native of the town of Kailua, Hawaii on the island of O’ahu pledged to donate $250 to the Rebuilding Maui relief fund launched by the Lonomai Foundation for every successful field goal with $100 for every made extra point.
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Heading into the Texans’ playoff game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns, Fairbairn has made 27 of 28 field goals and 21 of 22 extra points for a total of $8,850 raised to assist Maui.
As a proud Hawaiian, Fairbairn wanted to get involved after nearly 100 people died in the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century with over $5.6 billion in damages suffered.
“It’s been incredible, quite the journey and good to see the growth back home and happy to give back,” Fairbairn said. “No doubt, I encourage everybody a lot to keep giving back still. You don’t want to forget about it because it’s in the past. Keep giving as much as you can.”
#Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn on giving back to the Rebuilding Maui relief fund created by the Lonomai Foundation, #Browns playoff game and another strong season making 27 of 28 field goals and 21 of 22 extra points @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Xt80T5cpAn
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 11, 2024
The last time the Texans had a home playoff game in the 2019 season, Fairbairn won the game in overtime on a field goal to beat the Buffalo Bills and advance to the AFC divisional round.
“I’m excited for the fans especially, the city of Houston,” Fairbairn said. “We have something to cheer for again. We want to make them proud.”
Fairbairn missed five regular-season games due to a strained hamstring, but is healthy and knocking in kicks now.
“It’s been incredible, happy to be back with the team,” Fairbairn said. “It’s always weird sitting on the sideline. I’m thankful for everything and looking forward for what’s to come.”
A former Lou Groza Award winner at UCLA, Fairbairn has been extremely accurate since joining the Texans in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. He has connected on 175 of 201 career field goals, including 29 of 40 from 50 yards or longer, and 206 of 223 extra points. He had a rare missed extra point in a 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Saturday, marking his first missed extra point since the 2021 season.
“I want to be reliable for my team, for my teammates, for everyone involved,” Fairbairn said. “My missed kick last week, I’m going to learn from it and I’m going to sharpen up this week. That extra focus I need, I’m going to use it as fuel.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.