Maui residents are gearing up to commemorate the second anniversary of the island's deadliest wildfires with a series of memorial gatherings set for Friday. The remembrances are part of the annual Kuhinia Maui event, a name derived from a local chant that speaks of Maui's resilience in the face of tragedy, according to the official Maui County website. People will gather to honor the lives lost and show solidarity as the community continues its journey towards recovery.
The day will begin with a Morning Paddle Out at Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park in West Maui, starting at 7 a.m. and culminating at 1:30 p.m., featuring messages of hope, prayers, music, and a ceremonial launch onto the water, the county's news release indicates that the park will have limited access for parking so shuttle service has been arranged from Lahaina Civic Center, and the beloved Hawaiian group Nā Leo Pilimehana will provide soundtracks for the return to shore at 11 a.m.
A midday gathering will follow at noon, hosted at the Kalana o Maui County building in Wailuku—refreshments will be available for those in attendance. This 45-minute event is designed as a space for reflection and unity. In the evening, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a more private affair will take place at the Lahaina Civic Center, intended as an intimate tribute to the community's shared loss and ongoing healing process. Organizers emphasize the evening's event is reserved for the community and is not open to media coverage to maintain the gravity and respect of the occasion.
Volunteers are welcome to support these events, and for those looking to participate, reservations can be made through the official Kuhinia Maui website, where further event details are accessible. In preparation for the Morning Paddle Out, the community is called upon to donate debranched flowers, petals, and small leaves for the ocean scattering; donations are accepted between 4 and 5 p.m. the day before the event at the designated Kalana o Maui building drop-off point.
