Maui Strong

Westin Nanea Hangs Kapa Kuiki for Lahaina

Westin Nanea

August 8th, 2024 marked one year of the Maui wildfires anniversary. As a tribute to Lahaina, the Westin Nanea hung the Kapa Kuiki (quilt) that symbolized stories of Lahaina collected in 16 panels of unique custom designs. The quilt was obtained by auction at the last Ho'omau, of which benefits the Punana Leo Hawaiian Immersion Preschools of Maui. The theme of this past year's Ho'omau was to "rise, grow, and live" through the devastations that happened. More of the full explanation for the symbolism of this embodiment can be found on Maui Now's publication about the Ho'omau of 2024.

During the remembrance day, after the paddle out ceremony, the Westin Nanea also delivered lunch to over 60 first responders of the Lahaina and Napili police departments, as an appreciation for their efforts they gave to save fire survivors and their recovery efforts this past year.

Trilogy Excursions

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Many residents turned heroic on August 8th during Maui’s Wildfires without time to think or prepare. Some of our members lost their homes, businesses, vehicles or in this case sailboats, yet immediately took action to help others and give resources. After barely getting out alive, Trilogy team sailed their remaining fleets into blinding smoke and ranging winds surrounding Lahaina harbor, pulling out of the water whoever they could in those first 48 hours of chaos. They have continued to be a community resource and partnered with Global Empowerment and other agencies in establishing the Kahana resource center.

In March of 2024, Captain Riley Coon of Trilogy Excursions was honored with the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Honors Award in Washington D.C. on behalf of his team and community’s example of exceptional bravery and selflessness during the Lahaina Fire response. To hear the story, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EWJKfFGdjw

In edition to news interviews, podcast interviews and social media @sailtrilogy , learn more of how to help them recover and join in on their relief efforts for others on the Trilogy Blog.

Hawaii Farm Project & Maui Gold Pineapple

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Maui Gold Pineapple Co is a collective member of Hawaii Farm Project. As noted in Fox News, the company "pineapple farm, while largely unscathed by the Upcountry Fire, had its reservoir destroyed by firefighting helicopters using that water, leaving the farm unable to irrigate their crop. (Additionally) the Maui Gold office, storefront and inventory on historic Front Street in Lahaina were decimated in the Lahaina Fire, he added. Eight employees lost their homes during the disaster, with a couple of them losing their pets to the blaze, as well." Lack of tourism and decline in purchasing power from businesses have caused strain for the company and their employees.

Despite their own losses, "Team members of Maui Gold Pineapple are providing disaster relief in the form of fresh fruit and other supplies after wildfires devastated a number of communities in Hawaii. The team spent days cutting up fresh pineapple to give to first responders, shelters and restaurants that have been converted into soup kitchens. They’ve also given a number of whole pineapples to wildfire survivors." The fruit were initially transported by boat due to road closures on the island and the have since delivered essential items throughout the island to displaced and those in need.

More on how Maui farms and agricultural businesses are impacted by the wildfires can be found on Pacific Business News's "Agriculture Roundtable" article.

Hua Momona Farms

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Meet Zach, a Face of Aloha, and the head chef at Kapalua’s vegetable farm, Hua Momona Farms . Hua Momona Farms is currently donating resources and time to relieve West Maui after the fires of August 8th, 2023. They have turned the farm into a shelter, medical support center and food resource while also utilizing the mobile kitchen to community meal needs. To support their efforts and Maui’s recovery, please visit www.huamomonafarms.com.

Visitors coming to Maui may book tours and donate their time to many organizations like these. Maui appreciates all the support, internally, from the outer islands, mainland and internationally.

To meet more members of the Hua Momona Farms, visit our Faces of Aloha page.

Kula Lodge & Marketplace

Feature of Maui Strong Member

A couple of weeks ago, Kula Lodge & Restaurant reopened a partial menu for the first time since the Kula fires took place. Meet Native Hawaiian owner, Stephanie Vojdani Mallek, her husband Raanan Mallek, son, Adam Gomes and father, Simon Vojdani. Hear a story of Maui Strong and how this member turned their property into a community hub for all of upcountry, giving resources, manpower and a safe place despite their own lack of power and water amidst debris and unknowns.

In collaboration with Maui No Ka Oi & Silvershark Media, the podcast below sheds light on entrepreneurship, the Kula community and Maui’s blended culture. For more information on the Kula Lodge and Marketplace, visit: https://kulalodge.com

For more information on the Upcountry Strong community collaboration mentioned in the podcast, visit their Facebook HERE.

Eskimo Candy

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Eskimo Candy reacted immediately after the fires supplying food mahi, shrimp, angus burgers, ground beef, baby back ribs, salmon, chicken, shrimp scampi, chicken alfredo, etc from their inventory along with other supplies. They purchased other essentials for displaced like pallets of water, Gatorade, diapers, formula etc. and supplied items others brought to them including paper serving products, ice, gas etc. They delivered to the different drop off sites on the Westside and to MCC Kahului where chefs prepared free meals. They also have been giving food to the hotels to cook for the displaced residents they are housing and feeding.

Furthermore, with the help of the Fireman, Eskimo Candy employees and team have been handing out bags of food for people to cook at home, with food like burgers, mahi, salmon, shrimp, ground lamb, shrimp scampi pasta, pork chops, etc. Food supplies have purely donated from their inventory and with help from our vendors, friends and family who are supporting what we are doing. The owners grew up on Maui and raised their own children on Maui as well, so despite business loss, Eskimo Family's heart is fully invested in Maui's recovery.

To support their efforts, contact them on through the website: https://eskimocandy.com.

Kaanapali Golf Courses

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Ka’anapali Golf Courses provided the community with essential items graciously donated by efforts from our sister course on Oahu, Pearl Country Club, August 25-27. They will host a walk/run event for DOE students on Sep. 30th as a fundraiser for MauiStrong efforts. Ka'anapali Golf Courses will donate $5 per paid round to an associate fund assisting our staff who lost their homes and possessions starting from their re-opening date: Sep. 18th.

The Ka’anapali Golf Courses is also selling the “Maui Strong” shirt. This "Maui Strong shirt is a powerful sign of community solidarity, perseverance, and support in the midst of the devastating fires on Maui that have deeply affected our Kapalua and Ka’anapali Golf ‘ohana (family). While our courses remain safe and untouched, the fires also affect the world, especially for those who have found within its shores: friends and family, a home, and a community. This shirt also includes the Ka’anapali Golf Courses logo on the back to show support for our golf community. This Maui Strong shirt will have a portion of the sale donated to Troon Cares, which directly supports our own associates and their ‘ohana, which in turn impacts the community of Maui and Lahaina town. Kindness and caring are key foundational tenets of Troon and the Troon family of brands." Purchase the shirt HERE.

For more information visit https://www.kaanapaligolfcourses.com

Maui Health

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Maui Health’s sent out a Community Response Team with Scott, owner of Little Red Wagon Moving Company, who generously donated the use of his moving truck to assist in setting up clinic operations for Maui Health’s outreach clinics on the west side. Maui Health clinicians not only set up outreach clinic operations at Lahaina Gateway and the Hyatt Regency but they also held a toy donation drive for displaced employees and their families. The toy drive was initially set up by Maui Health’s Medical Staff Services team to collect toys for Maui Health employees and providers impacted by the fires. The event was so successful that hundreds of toys could be shared with other children and families in need at hotel shelters in Kaanapali. Toys were also distributed to Napili Park for parents and children to pick up when utilizing the disaster resources available at the park.

Maui Health is also working with a generous donor from Oahu who will donate 50 ukulele to children on Maui who lost their belongings in the fires. Maui Health hospitals and clinics, including Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital, remain fully operational and continue to provide safe, quality, and compassionate care to all who need it. For more information on Maui Health's outreach, assistance and support, visit https://www.mauihealth.org/wildfire/.

Doctors on Call

Feature of Maui Strong Member

Doctors On Call is full-service Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic, with Lab and X-Ray. It remained open to all in need on the West side of Maui and takes most Hawaii insurances including Kaiser, HMSA, UHA, etc. It can also take care of patients who are uninsured or underinsured due to the Lahaina Disaster. They also give Telehealth services. For a full range of services visit: docmaui.com or call 808.667.7676.

Dr, Estin has been actively supporting the West Maui communities with consultation, housing, and media interviews. Hear some of this member's voice on the economic recovery of Maui with Peter Greenberg's Eye on Travel Podcast interview HERE.

Kona Brewing

Feature of Maui Strong Member

In the recent aftermath of Maui’s wildfires, support continues to role in from outside the island. One of our members based on Big Island, Kona Brewing Company has taken part in that support by:

• giving $10,000 monetary donation combined to three key non-profits: Maui Food Bank , Maui United Way & #MauiStrong / Hawaii Community Foundation

• Kona Brewing additionally donated pallets of Bottled Water and Beer donations via Odom Corporation Maui, Over 70 cases for our friends and partners, food security groups (like @chefhuihi ).

• conducted a 30 day Round Up for Charity giving additional $3,700 to Maui United Way

• joined Kokua Beer Collaboration with Maui Brewing Company to brew 12,000 pints of Kokua Beer which we have pledged $12,000 to TS Legacy Foundation

*The #KonaBrewing version of this #kokuabeer brew is available mostly in the two Kona Brewing pubs and a few specialty accounts.

Southwest Airlines

Feature of Maui Strong Member

In the wake of the fires on August 8th, MHLA reached out to many contacts to help evacuation efforts as soon as possible. One of the first to respond to the call was Southwest Airlines on August 9th. They immediately lowered fares for tickets leaving Maui down to $19 a seat, helping many surviving visitors and residents to leave the island in the midst of chaos and lead the way for other airlines to follow. Southwest did not just stop the relief efforts there, but continued support through supplies and outreach, including being the safe haven for team members. To read more about Southwest in Hawaii, see our feature blog HERE.

Anheuser-Busch

Feature of Maui Strong Member

The first shipment of donated emergency drinking water was delivered by Anheuser-Busch wholesaler partner, Hawaii Beverage Distribution LLC in Wailuku, Hawaii, who worked alongside the American Red Cross to distribute the water to individuals in need. in mid-August, Anheuser-Busch delivered a shipment of 16,000 cans of emergency drinking water to Maui to support residents as they recover from the Lahaina wildfire. The shipment was delivered by air in order to reach the island as quickly as possible due to the widespread destruction and contaminated tap water. For more on this story, visit the press release HERE.

Devastation at a Hawaiian Golf Gem | Adventures in Golf Season 8

Feature of Maui Strong

There are so many heroes who took action during the Maui fires of August 2023, yet some have not been recognized until now. We are honored to have had many of our West side membersʻ relief actions and community Aloha featured in a recent episode of "Adventures in Golf", a piece created by PGA TOUR and Skratch in partnership with United Airlines including Kapalua Golf and former Director of Rooms, Harrison Delgado The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua . Our hotels, golf courses, restaurants and businesses have truly given their hearts when needed. Mahalo to all who served the people of Maui and continue to pour hope into our community.