Wailuku will host a free candlelight vigil organized by the County of Maui at 6 p.m. on February 17 on the lawn of the Kalana O Maui building, with battery-powered candles provided for a safe gathering centered on aloha, unity, peace and compassion. The public event is designed to bring the community together in a calm, supportive space.
Richard Bissen and Veronica Mendoza of Roots Reborn are scheduled to speak, with Bissen emphasizing, “It is a reminder that aloha is not passive.” Roots Reborn supports migrant and immigrant communities through bilingual navigation, legal help and recovery resources, and the vigil is framed as a chance to reaffirm shared humanity and push back against division, according to the County of Maui.
What to Expect at Tuesday’s Vigil
The evening program will feature prayers and songs, with organizers planning to hand out battery-powered candles to participants for safety and accessibility, details first reported by Maui Now.
Why Organizers Say It Matters
“Our immigrant families are part of the fabric of Maui,” Mendoza said, calling on residents to rally around families who nourish and work beside the broader community. Her remarks, shared in local coverage of the vigil, underscore the event’s emphasis on inclusion and solidarity.
For more information, County Public Affairs can be reached at (808) 270-7855. The vigil is free and open to everyone, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to find seating on the lawn.
