On Saturday, Aug. 8, Lahaina will gather for Kuhinia Maui, a daylong community remembrance marking three years since the August 2023 wildfires. The event on the lawn of Lahaina United Methodist Church is set to bring neighbors together for music, free food, lei-making and wellness services, all leading into a 5:30 p.m. memorial to honor the 102 people who died and the two still unaccounted for.
When and where
Organizers list the event as running from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the lawn of Lahaina United Methodist Church at 988 Front St., with a memorial service at 5:30 p.m. The site asks both volunteers and attendees to RSVP so planners can better estimate meals and staffing. These details are laid out on the Kuhinia Maui website.
What to expect
The day’s schedule centers on community-focused programming, including lei-making stations, live music, free food and wellness services such as lomi lomi and acupuncture. The 5:30 p.m. tribute will feature the presentation of 1,000 origami peace cranes brought by students from Izumisano, Osaka, along with a moment of silence to honor those lost. Organizers and county officials stress that all activities are free and open to residents, as reported by Maui Now.
Parking and RSVP
Parking will be available in two lots adjacent to Lahaina Surf, with additional locations to be announced closer to the event, according to the county. To help with planning for meals and staffing, attendees are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time and consider signing up as volunteers. Maui Recovers outlines logistics and volunteer opportunities for Kuhinia Maui.
How Kuhinia began
Kuhinia grew out of community-led remembrance gatherings that the county supported after the Aug. 8, 2023 fires, including paddle-outs and evening tributes that drew thousands. County archives show that a 2024 paddle-out at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park grew to roughly 4,000 attendees, with about 1,000 participants taking to the water. Officials and community groups have used those gatherings as a model for annual observances that blend cultural ritual with recovery resources, according to Maui County.
The County’s regular Lahaina community meeting will instead be held the following week, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Lahaina Intermediate School’s cafeteria, Maui Now reports. Residents and volunteers are advised to keep an eye on official recovery pages and county notices for any last-minute updates on parking, volunteer shifts and meal plans. For more information about recovery resources, community members can contact the Office of Public Affairs or consult the county’s recovery website.
