A Message from Pi’ilani

August 15, 2023

Aloha mai kākou e nā lālā a me nā hoaaloha o Pi‘ilani,

In the wake of the catastrophic and destructive Lahaina Fire that began on Maui last Tuesday, August 8, 2023, we wanted to issue a statement in support especially of the people of Lahaina and also of Maui and Hawai‘i Islands. We are especially saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of life caused by this calamity, and the loss of homes and livelihoods for the people of Lahaina and other communities on Maui and elsewhere.

Therefore we, the Pi‘ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado (“PHCCOC”), want to send all our aloha, mana‘o pono, prayers, and kāko‘o especially to the people and families who have been so adversely affected by the terrible event of the Lahaina and Maui Fires.

For those unfamiliar with the story of PHCCOC’s founding, the Pi‘ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado was chartered in 1998 with the help and support of ‘Āinahau O Kaleponi Hawaiian Civic Club of California. ‘Āinahau also gifted our Civic Club with the name of Pi‘ilani, a renowned ali‘i nui of Maui, because so many of our founders were and are members and descendants of Maui ‘ohana, or have other close associations and connections with Maui.

Therefore, because of PHCCOC’s history, we feel a deep kuleana to help the people, ‘ohana, and communities of Maui as they (and we all) grieve, grapple with disaster, and seek hope and restoration in the future. To this end, Pi‘ilani will be fundraising for the people of Lahaina and Maui at our upcoming Ho‘olaule‘a, and has provided booth space free of charge for other organizations doing the same. We may also host or present a benefit concert for Lahaina later this year or early in 2024. Stay tuned for announcements and details down the road.

But in the meantime, if anyone is interested in helping the Lahaina and Maui Fire victims and survivors, here is some good information gained from bona fide news reporting and trusted and knowledgeable sources (though as always, please be mindful of where you donate and try to give only to vetted organizations at trustworthy sites).