It’s hard to put into words what happened over the last couple of days on island. Maui suffered an unimaginable tragedy. Thank you to those who reached out to ask how we were doing. Fortunately, all of our agents are safe. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for so many members of our community. The fires destroyed 90% of Lahaina. Fires also burned down homes in Upcountry Maui . Altogether, thousands have lost their homes and their livelihoods. Worst of all, the death toll continues to grow.

Maui Non-Profits Helping Fire Victims

Island residents are facing some hard times and a long road to rebuild and recover. Over the last 24 hours, a number of friends and clients reached out to see how they might be able to help the people of Maui. These are some of the reputable non-profits that are well positioned to get aid directly to those in need.

Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund The Hawaii Community Foundation does tremendous work supporting local non-profits. They started a specific fund to help Maui residents impacted by fires in Lahaina and Kula.

Maui Mutual Aid This volunteer run organization distributes aid directly to some of the community’s most vulnerable residents including the elderly and the underinsured and uninsured. If you are looking to volunteer directly, Maui Mutual Aid is collaborating with Maui Rapid Response and Maui Strong to coordinate volunteer efforts. Fill out their online form to let them know how you can contribute.

Maui Food Bank It sounds as if food donations are abundant currently for those that are in need. That said, the impacts of the fire will be long lasting. Job loss and lack of shelter will impact food security on island over the long term. It is important that the Food Bank is well funded to help address food insecurity over the long term.

People’s Fund of Maui This non-profit is putting $1,200 a month into the hands of adults who lost their primary residence during the fire. This is critical for those who lost their homes and in many cases their livelihood too.

Thank you in advance for anything you are able to donate.

Two very talented North Shore of Maui residents have joined forces to benefit the Paia Youth and Cultural Center. Renowned Maui Artist Kim McDonald and Kai Lenny teamed together to create a beautiful custom surfboard. Kim used her considerable artistic talent to create a stunning piece of art that would look good in any setting. The board features Kai’s footprints and signature. The board is being auctioned online with all proceeds set to go towards the Paia Youth and Cultural Center.

About the Board

The board is a “gun” like the one Kai might use while riding the giant surf at Jaws. Kim painted it a gorgeous aqua blue. A hue that you are likely to see in the ocean waters around Maui. The green and white on the board represent the ocean or the waves. A Malolo or Hawaiian Flying Fish features prominently in the design. It is a favorite of Kai’s and one that he frequently encounters paddling and foiling around the islands. The board is a true collector’s piece.

About Kai

Kai grew up in Spreckelsville on Maui’s North Shore. It is here that his passion for the ocean grew with each day. He has grown up to be one of the great watermen of the world. He is truly a master of all surf crafts as a surfer, stand up paddler, windsurfer, kiter, big wave rider and most recently on his foil board. Kai has racked up an impressive eight world titles in stand up paddle racing and surfing. At just 25 years old, he will continue to leave his mark in the surfing world for a long time to come.

About Kim

Kim McDonald’s art work is owned by collectors around the world. Her themes feature Polynesian Women, Tropical Landscapes and Surf Scenery. Over the last few years she has used custom surfboards as the medium for her vivid artwork.

About the PYCC

The Paia Youth and Cultural Center’s mission is to promote community through its youth. Situated on the beach at Paia Bay, the Youth Center draws members from Paia, Haiku, Upcountry and Central Maui. This program based Youth Center provides a safe place for kids to learn, gain life skills and have fun! Programs include the Hekili Multimedia Lab, RadiOpio, Paia Bay Cafe, Malama Pono Project Venture and the Maui Hero Project. Pa’ia Youth Council, Inc., operating the Pa’ia Youth & Cultural Center, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation funded by grants from the Maui County Department of Housing & Human Concerns, the State of Hawaii Office of Youth Services, private foundations, community donations, and fundraisers.

Bid Online Now

Bids for the Kai and Kim board to benefit PYCC may be submitted online until December 18th at 12:00 PM HST. Owning this surfboard is unlikely to make you surf like Kai, but you can rest assured that your purchase will benefit a fantastic organization.

The Merchants of Paia Town will be hosting Paia Gives on Saturday December 17th, from 4:00-8:00 PM. It is hard to believe this event is already in its eleventh year. I remember when the merchants were first pulling together this fun evening on the North Shore. Shops in and around Paia will be staying open late, with many offering sales and special events. The businesses have also chosen different local non-profits they will support. This list below provides details on what merchants are planning and which non-profits will benefit from their generosity.

Paia Art Galleries

• Art Project Paia: 10% of the sales at Art Project Paia will go to the Maui Humane Society
• Maui Hands: Maui Hands will be hosting a Raffle with the proceeds benefiting the Paia Youth & Cultural Center

Paia Barber Shops

• Hairbenders: Hair Benders will be making an in kind donation for the Maui Aids Foundation

Paia Boutiques

• Biasa Rose –They will be hosting a pop up with Sigal Jewlery. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Maui Humane Society
• Letarte – Letarte is sponsoring a food drive for the Maui Food Bank.  10% of sales will benefit the Maui Food Bank during Paia Gives.  Customers who bring in 4 cans of non-perishable food items on Saturday and Sunday will receive 10% off of their purchase.
• Luna and Tide – They will be having a raffle with the proceeds benefiting the Maui Humane Society
• Nuage Bleu: Nuage Blue will be offering pupus, In-store artist Jenn Johnson, jewelry by Hula Hoops Maui and a raffle with proceeds to benefit PYCC andHawaii Wildlife Fund
• KJB Paia: A portion of their sales will go toward Women Helping Women
•  Oceania Maui: 10% of sales during Paia Gives will benefit PYCC
• Paia Mercantile & Mermaid Inn: 5% of sales and donations from register jar will go toward the Maui Humane Society. They will also be offering an additional 50% off clearance items.
• Paia Trading Company – 10% of sales during Paia Gives will benefit PYCC.  Frosty the Snowman will be handing out candy from 6-7 PM
• Pakaloha Bikinis: Pakalaoha will be having a sale with 10% off all items in the store. A portion of proceeds will go toward PYCC
• Pearl Butik: 20% of the days sales will go back to Laa Kea Foundation.  Come in for holiday cheer, Swedish treats, and a raffle
• Sassabella: 10% of sales will be donated to the Maui Humane Society
• Tamara Catz: 20% off all Tamara Catz items and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Pacific Cancer Foundation

Paia Grocery

• • Mana Foods: Mana Foods is offering a bag credit program going toward Trucker Dukes

. This will be going on throughout the month of December.

Paia Restaurants

• Flatbread Paia: 5% of all gift cards sold will benefit the Maui Hulilau Foundation
• Honi Designs and Paia Youth and Cultural Center will have a Table in front of Milagro’s.  Proceeds from their sales will help to fund PYCC programs

Paia Surf Shops

• Sailboards Maui: A percentage of sales during Paia Gives will benefit Trucker Dukes
• HiTech Paia: 10% of clothing and soft goods sales will go to PYCC

This is a great opportunity to finish some last minute Christmas shopping, support local businesses and support local non-profits. We hope to see you in Paia Town on the night of the 17th!

Restaurants around the island will be donating a portion of their sales to Hospice Maui on Tuesday November 15, 2016. Hospice Maui has been providing compassionate end of life care for 35 years. They are nearing the final stages of construction on a new five bed hale near the hospital. Hospice Maui also continue to need donations for the support and services that they provide that are not covered by insurance. If you are thinking of eating out tomorrow or even if you weren’t thinking of eating out, head to one of the restaurants below for a good meal and to support quality end of life care on Maui.

Upcountry and North Shore
Casanova Italian Restaurant
Colleen’s at the Cannery
Flatbread Company Paia
Kula Bistro
Market Fresh Bistro

South Maui
Five Palms Restaurant
Coconut’s Fish Cafe
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
KO at the Fairmont Kea Lani
Longhi’s Wailea
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman
Monsoon India
Mulligans on the Blue
Pita Paradise Wailea
The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea

West Maui
Frida’s Mexican Beach House
Honu Seafood and Pizza
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Longhi’s Lahaina
Mala an Ocean Tavern
Maui Brewing Company Kahana Brewpub
Merriman’s Kapalua
Roy’s Ka’anapali
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

Central Maui
Aria’s Restaurant and Catering
Bistro Casanova
Brigit and Bernard’s Garden Cafe
Da Kitchen Cafe
McDonald’s Dairy Road
McDonald’s Kahului
The Mill House
Zing Maui

I wanted to take a bit of a tangent from our usual real estate posts to share a video put together a little earlier this year about the Paia Youth and Cultural Center (PYCC).

The Paia Youth and Cultural Center is a program based youth center located on the beach at Paia Bay. There are over 500 members who participate at the PYCC on an annual basis. A free membership gives the youth access to programs like the Paia Bay Cafe, Hekili Multimedia Lab, RadiOpio, Project Venture, the Stone Wave Skate Park and more. As the video shows above, this really is a fantastic venue for the Youth of Maui to grow, play, laugh and learn. While membership is free, the costs to operate the PYCC are considerable. The Youth Center is dependent upon a combination of grants and contributions from individuals. The Maui Real Estate Team is a proud supporter of the PYCC. Please consider making a year end contribution to PYCC to help support this fantastic not for profit organization and Maui’s Youth.

Tomorrow is a great day to eat out on Maui and support an important Maui Local not for profit. Dine Out for Hospice is an annual fundraiser where participating restaurants donate a portion of the proceeds from their sales for selected meals to Hospice Maui. Hospice Maui provides quality, compassionate hospice care to maximize the comfort and dignity of those in their last months and weeks of life, wherever they call home.

The following is a list of participating restaurants and the meals they will be serving where a portion of the proceeds benefit Hospice.

South Maui Restuarants

• Five Palms Restaurant located at Mana Kai Resort, 2960 S. Kihei Rd will be dontating a portion of proceeds from dinner.
• Capische Restaurant located at the Hotel Wailea, on 555 Kaukahi St. will be benefiting Hospice for Dinner
• Fabiani’s Wailea located at The Wailea Gateway Plaza will be donating a portion of proceeds from Dinner
• Mala Wailea is located at the Marriott Wailea Resort on 3700 Wailea Alanui Drive. They will be donating proceeds from Dinner.
• Mulligans on the Blue is located at the 100 KauKahi Street on the Wailea Blue Golf Course will give a portion of proceeds from Dinner.
• Pita Paradise Wailea located at the Wailea Gateway Plaza will be donating part of the proceeds from Dinner.
• Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman’s is located at the Wailea Gateway Plaza. They will be donating a portion of sales from Lunch, Dinner & Liquor.
• Monsoon India at the Menehune Shores Condo complex at 760 South Kihei Rd. will be donating some of the proceeds from Lunch & Dinner.
• Coconuts Fish Café in the Azeka Mall at 1279 South Kihei Rd. is going to be donating a portion of sales from Lunch & Dinner.
• Longhi’s Wailea located at the Shops at Wailea will be donating a portion of sales throughout the day.
• MiGRANT is Sheldon Simeon’s newest restaurant located at the Marriott Wailea Resort. They are donating a portion of the Dinner proceeds.
• ‘ami ‘ami Bar & Grill at the Maui Coast Hotel on 2259 South Kihei Rd will be donating some of the proceeds from Dinner.

Upcountry

• Casanova Italian Restaurant is located at 1188 Makawao Ave. They will be donating a portion of proceeds from Dinner.
• The Kula Lodge & Restaurant is located at 15200 Haleakala Hwy. They will be giving a portion of the proceeds from Dinner.
• The Market Fresh Bistro is located at 3620 Baldwin Ave in Makawao. They will be giving a portion of receipts from Breakfast & Lunch.
• Polli’s Mexican Restaurant is located at 1202 Makawao Ave in Makawao. They will be making a contribution based on sales from Lunch & Dinner.
• The Makawao Steak House is situated at 3612 Baldwin Ave in Makawao. They will be donating a portion of their Dinner sales.

North Shore

• Hana Hou Cafe is located at the Haiku Marketplace on 810 Haiku Rd. They will be donating a portion of sales from Lunch & Dinner.
• Flatbread Company is located at 89 Hana Hwy in Paia. They will be donating part of the sales from Lunch & Dinner.
• DaZoo Restaurant is located at 71 Baldwin Ave (The same building as the Maui Real Estate Team) in Paia. They will be donating some of the sales from Dinner.
• Colleen’s at the Haiku Marketplace on 810 Haiku Rd is donating a portion of the proceeds from Dinner.

West Maui

• Honu Seafood & Pizza is located at 1295 Front Street in Lahaina. They will be donating a portion of sales from Dinner.
• Mala Tavern is located right next to Honu at 1307 Front Street. They will be giving a portion of the sales from Dinner.
• Maui Brewing Company is located is located in the Kahana Gateway Center at 4405 Honoapiilani Hwy. They will be donation a portion of the sales from meals throughout the day.
• Merriman’s Kapalua is located at One Bay Club Place, Kapalua. A portion of the sales from Dinner and Drinks will be donated.
• Aloha Mixed Plate is located at 1285 Front Street in Lahaina. They will be donating a portion of their Breakfast sales.
• Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop is located at 820 Olowalu Village Rd. off the Honoapiilani Hwy. They will be donating a portion of the proceeds from meals sold at Breakfast.
• Cane & Canoe is Kapalua’s newest restaurant located at the Montage Kapalua Bay. They will be donating a portion of sales from Dinner.
• Roy’s Kaanapali is located at 2290 Ka’anapali Pkwy in Lahaina. They will be giving a portion of Lunch sales.
• Sangrita Grill & Cantina is located at The Fairway Shops at 2580 Keka‘a Dr.in Kaanapali. They will be donating a portion of Lunch sales.
• Teddy’s Bigger Burgers is located in the Lahaina Gateway Center 335 Keawe St. A portion of the proceeds from Dinner sales will be donated.

Central Maui

• Bistro Casanova is located at 33 Lono Ave in Kahului. A portion of Lunch sales will be donated
• Da Kitchen Café is located at 425 Koloa St., in Kahului. They will be giving a portion of the proceeds from Dinner
• McDonald’s Dairy Road is located at 340 Dairy Road in Kahului. They will be donating a portion of sales from Lunch & Dinner.
• McDonald’s Kahului is located at 155 Puunene Ave., Kahului. They will be giving a portion of proceeds from Lunch & Dinner.
• Ruby’s Diner in the Queen Kaahumanu Mall in Kahului will be donating a portion of sales from meals throughout the day.

If you are planning eating out on Maui on Veteran’s day or even if you didn’t have it in your plans, please consider patronizing one of the participating restaurants during their selected meals. You can have a great meal and support a Maui not for profit that serves an integral role in the island community.