Nā Kupuna Appreciation

For many years, Maui Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) had hosted an annual Nā Kupuna Dinner. Through the generosity of our MHLA Membership the Nā Kupuna event provided Maui’s senior citizens with a memorable evening of live entertainment, a lavish meal, and amazing makana (gift) to take home.

Due to COVID-19, MHLA had not been able to host this event since December 2019. And while we were not be able host our Nā Kupuna event in person again this year, we had an incredible opportunity to give back to our community. On Thursday, December 2 and in partnership with Meals On Wheels we were able to provide and deliver meals and gifts to 625 of Maui’s homebound Kupuna who rely on meal deliveries.

“When the opportunity to provide lunch and gifts of appreciation to Nā Kupuna across Maui presented itself, the MHLA Board of Directors and I jumped at the chance to partner with Meals on Wheels to make it happen. This event immediately gained the support of several of MHLA’s Resorts and Business members who each donated lunches and gifts. It was eye opening for me to learn what the Meals on Wheels staff does for Nā Kupuna and how they support Kupuna that live anywhere from Lāhaina all the way to Hana. This Kupuna appreciation event also offered MHLA volunteers to tag along with the Meals on Wheels staff to deliver lunch and gifts as well as safely see our Kupuna. With the Holiday Season upon us and knowing that many of the Kupuna that we will be feeding and providing gifts to are homebound, we couldn’t pass up the chance to put a smile on all of their faces.” - Ryan Nobriga, General Manager _ Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas and event chairman.

Mahalo to all who made this possible!

• Alaska Airlines
• Alexanders Designs Hawaii
• Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
• Daniʻs Catering
• Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
• Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria
• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
• Ka'anapali Beach Hotel
• Marriott Ocean Club
• Maui No Ka Oi Magazine
• Montage Kapalua Bay
• Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
• The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
• The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
• The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali
• The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
• University of Hawaii Maui College HOST
• Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Mau