On August 8, wildfires began to sweep through the island of Maui. The historic town of Lahaina in western Maui bore the brunt of the damage—with wildfires leveling the tourist town. The death toll currently stands at 111 but is expected to rise—making it the most deadly wildfire in America in over a century.
The full magnitude of the tragedy has yet to be understood, but the businesses and people of Maui and Lahaina will need resources and support to rebuild.
Lahaina represented 80% of all of Maui tourism, per year. Thanks to its many restaurants and beaches, it was one of the top attractions on the island. Many of those restaurants and bars have been completely lost to the fires, and if you are looking for ways to help, we’ve compiled a list of organizations, funds, and services aiding Maui.
Individual Restaurant Funds
These are just a small sample of the GoFundMes and other accounts individual restaurants and bars have set up for their staff.
Pacific’o on the Beach
The restaurant has been completely lost to the wildfires. You may remember the very first installment of our Women in Hospitality series with Pacific’o Bar Manager Mari Howe.
Pacific’o made a statement on its website and Instagram page, saying in part, “Although the building that housed Pacific’o on the Beach for 30 years is gone, its legacy will live on in the spirit of all those who made it such a beloved place. The memories we made together will carry us through this difficult time.”
Mari and Pacific’o have created a GoFundMe for employee fire relief that is currently accepting donations. At press time, the fund was at $26,252 raised of its $50,000 goal.
Lahaina Grill
Another restaurant completely lost to the fires, Lahaina Grill was named the #1 Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S. 2022 according to TripAdvisor. The restaurant is currently hosting a GoFundMe for Lahaina Grill employees & families that stands at $420,566 of its $750,000 goal at press time.
Down the Hatch Maui
Hana Hou Hospitality, which consists of many Lahaina, Maui restaurants—including Down the Hatch and Breakwall Shave Ice Co., both of which were completely lost to the fires—has started a GoFundMe to raise funds for the staff members. The fund stands at $96,211 raised of its $150,000 goal.
In a statement, Hana Hou Hospitality said, “With thousands of families being displaced, Hana Hou Hospitality is focusing our efforts on raising funds for supplies and labor that will be used to build tiny homes, along with providing food/water, clothing, generators, and whatever else our teams need to start over on Maui.”
Betty’s Beach Café
Lost to the Lahaina fires, Betty’s Beach Café started a GoFundMe to raise funds for staff who lost everything. The fund is at $52,860fo its $100,000 goal.
Waikiki Brewing Company
Lost to the fires, Waikiki Brewing Company has set up a GoFundMe for its staff members that stands at $21,345 of its $250,000 goal.
Papa’aina & Pioneer Inn
Papa'aina Restaurant—attached to the historic Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, which was the oldest continually operating hotel in Hawaii and a local landmark—was completely destroyed. Its GoFundMe account is raising funds for its staff. The fund stands at $99,158 of its $225,000 goal.
T S Restaurants
TS Restaurants’ Legacy of Aloha Fund is raising money for grants to almost 800 T S Restaurants and Maui Brewing Co Restaurants employees on Maui.
Fleetwood’s on Front Street
Owned by Fleetwood Mac drummer and co-founder Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwood’s was destroyed by the Maui wildfires.
Mick made a statement on his Instagram page. “MAUl and The Lahaina community have been my home for several decades. This is a devastating moment for MAUl and many are suffering unimaginable loss,” the post said. “On behalf of myself and my family I share my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of MAUI. We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days month and years to come.”
A specific fund has not yet been set up for Fleetwood’s, but those interested can donate to the Wildfire 2023 GoFundMe Relief Fund, which was created to provide direct relief to the people who need it most when wildfires strike. The focus is now on Maui. The fund is currently over halfway to its goal of $1 million. There are also centralized organizations listed below accepting donations.
Major Organizations, Charities, & Funds
If you would rather make a more centralized donation, here is a list of organizations raising funds for all of Maui.
USBG National Charity Foundation
The USBG is collecting donations to help bar workers in Maui. Donations collected will assist bar workers with emergency food, clothing, and shelter and will be distributed through the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP).
The Maui Strong Fund
The Hawai‘i Community Foundation has set up a Maui Strong Fund, which is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.
Koloa Rum Company
Koloa Rum Company, the premium craft rum distiller on Kauai known as The Spirit of Aloha, is hosting a benefit event on Saturday, August 26. In support of those impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui, Koloa Rum will donate 100% of sales from their Company Store to Maui Strong. The one-day event will be hosted online at Shop.KoloaRum.com and in-store at 3-2087 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue, HI 96766.
Aloha United Way
Aloha United Way has created a Maui Fire Relief Fund, and donations will go directly to Maui United Way to support Maui victims.
Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund
The Hawai’I Ag & Culinary Alliance has resurrected the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund to provide immediate assistance to the restaurant, bar, and hospitality workers displaced by the wildfires. $106,579 in donations has been raised at press time.
Hawai’i Restaurant Association’s KŌKUA FOR MAUI
The Hawai’I Restaurant Association is mobilizing donations to provide urgent relief for Maui in the form of food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter.
Maui Food Bank
The Maui Food Bank is accepting donations to feed displaced residents. With every $1 donated, the Maui Food Bank can provide four meals to the hungry.
American Red Cross of Hawaii
The Red Cross is on the ground in Maui and accepting donations.
Maui Gold Pineapple's Pineapple Pledge
Pineapple Pledge efforts are focused on safety, food, and job preservation. Instead of hosting visitors, Maui Pineapple Tour employees are now cutting, packaging, and hand delivering pineapple by boat to feed displaced victims of the fires who are currently without resources. And the employees at the Maui Gold Pineapple farm are working daily as the foundation of these efforts, harvesting, packing, and distributing pineapples.
Maui Gold is calling for assistance in their efforts by asking people to visit MauiGold.com and buy pineapple. All funds received from pineapple sales will be used to keep Maui Gold employees working to carry out Pineapple Pledge initiatives, with a portion of sales also going to other local relief organizations.
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