And here in Hawaii, local businesses are stepping up to the plate as well.

L and L Drive Inn kicked off a fundraiser to help the American Red Cross with its humanitarian efforts.

L and L says a lot of its employees are from Central China or have family ties there.

They decided to begin collecting donations at each of their 200 restaurant locations across the country.

Ken Po Lock is trying to stay busy as he waits for some kind of sign that his friends in China are okay.

"I see the tv news i can see all the buildings knocked down. I had 2 classmates in there," says Lock, a L&L Restaurant Consultant.

He has been trying to get in touch with them since he heard about the devastating 7.9 magnitude quake.

"This morning I checked it but still no more emails, no more nothing yet," says Lock.

Instead of feeling completely helpless, Lock found ways that he too, can contribute.

L and L Drive Inn just started collecting money to aid the American Red Cross's efforts in China.

"I hope everyone will participate and donate a little bit of money to help them out, " says Lock. {SOT}

"It not only shows we care that we are half way across the world to show our aloha it feels real good to help out a brother or sister in another country outside of our own," says Gaylord Viloria, a customer.

It's hard to comprehend the magnitude of this destruction.

15,000 people ..that's more than ten times the amount of lives taken from Hurricane Katrina.

"I feel sad about all the friends and family there and try to help them out as soon as we can," adds Lock.

The Red Cross has disaster workers on site who are delivering medical supplies, water, and food.

And they say every little donation can help.

"Just to say you know we're here for you our prayers go out to you and your family," says Viloria.

The L and L in Iwilei collected about $300 today.

They will be accepting donations at all locations until may 31st.