KBM Resorts' Employee Fire Assistance Fund

On August 8, 2023, the Lahaina fire claimed the homes of many employees of KBM Resorts. Yesterday, we learned that Juan De Leon, who was part of our maintenance department, was identified as a victim of the fire. He was 47 and has left behind his wife Sonia and two children.

KBM has arranged temporary housing for several employees and their families due in large to the extremely generous offering of our homeowner community to volunteer use of their vacation home. This gives us time to arrange for a permanent solution once the situation is more clear.

We have set up this goFundMe to assist with basic necessities, such as food, clothing, shoes, toys, books, school supplies, and other possessions lost in the fire.

Many of you have met and worked with Kevin, our Director of Operations, who since 2015 oversees 100+ employees responsible for the upgrades, maintenance, and housekeeping of your vacation home. Around 4 pm, the fire accelerated rapidly above Lahaina Town turning the sky blue to black in minutes. Without hesitation, Kevin and his wife Keani grabbed their daughters, jumped in the car, and drove north to safety at Justin's house. They left their home in Lahaina with nothing but the 'shirts on their back', literally. Kevin's home, and all their possessions burned to the ground. The girl's school, King Kamehameha, built in 1913 also destroyed.

Manny, our maintenance director has also lost his home where his wife and young children all resided. Janel, our Owner Experience Director, her home is still standing but in the midst of the devastation and is without power and not accessible and her son's school (Sacred Hearts) burned down. Berna, also in our operations department, has lost her home and everything in it and her pets. Lupe, in our housekeeping department since 2009, also lost her home. Sam and Monica, also in housekeeping department for many years have lost their home. Kekoa in maintenance has lost his home. Luis who has been cleaning windows, bbqs, and carpets for over 10 years for KBM has lost his home. Zujey, a long time housekeeper has lost her home. Mario, Alegjandra, Kaleigh, Isabel and Taeylay all also in housekeeping since KBM first began have homes lost in the fire. Jose and Omar also in housekeeping lost their home and their food truck.

All of these people in our KBM Ohana have been with us for many years, many since we started. We are committed to ensuring their families persevere through this catastrophe. While we work on securing long-term housing, this donation will assist with immediate necessities like clothes, shoes, books, dolls, toys, and other essentials for their families.

In lieu of a donation, if you have such items not used anymore by your kids or grandchildren and are willing to ship them to our office that would be awesome. Either way, we want to help our staff get back on their feet and excited about the future despite this challenge.

This fire is the worst natural disaster in Maui. Together as a community, we will help each other out and get back on our feet stronger than we were before.

God Bless Maui,

Josh and the KBM Ohana

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Josh Motto R(B)

President, KBM Resorts

Luxury Real Estate and Vacations