Mainland to Maui with LOVE and ALOHA

Aloha and Mahalo for reading...

As we all know, on August 8, 2023, Maui suffered a catastrophic fire which would forever change the lives of so many beautiful souls. My heart continues to hurt for my friends and the displaced families of Maui. I cannot stop crying, feeling helpless as I watch from the mainland-the devastation these horrific fires have caused. So many lives have been lost, people I know whose homes and businesses were destroyed in a matter of moments. It's going to take years of healing and building to restore Maui's iconic Front Street, and the beautiful people which have been forever affected. If you have ever lived, visited or dreamt about Maui, now is the time to find it in your hearts to give what you can, to help our Maui Ohana. Please know, no amount is too small. It's the little things that make up the big things. If every person that has been touched by the beauty and magic of Maui, gives a single dollar, the ALOHA SPIRIT will spread around the world. How about give one dollar for each year you lived or visited our island? Doesn't seem like much, BUT...if we all give a little, it WILL make a difference. Below is a little description of just 3 of the families (in the pictures above) that you will be helping:) 1000% of EVERY PENNY that is donated WILL be given to each family, business or a vetted 5013c charitable organization in need ie. Makai.org (a boots on the ground non-profit). To everyone looking for DIRECT PLACES TO DONATE to Maui relief efforts, THIS IS IT!! . Lets spread this far and wide. I've spotlighted these 3 families that I know and love-who have lost so much, if not EVERYTHING, to the catastrophic fire. I've known them over 27 years-(when I first moved to the Valley Isle)-They ARE family.

1. Shawn Steadman-owner of MISO PHAT SUSHI, Lahaina.

I've known Shawn since playing our regular pick up game of "Monday Ball" (circa 1996), in Lahaina. Shawn who has one of the biggest and most generous hearts I know, has lost his boat, SHISO PHAT in the Lahaina fire. His restaurant was saved physically, but his restaurant was shut down indefinitely due to lack of access and supplies. SHISO PHAT brought so much joy to Shawn, his family, friends and the plenty of guests he and his restaurant crew have been stoking out since 2013. SHISO PHAT was the 25 foot Farallon, that caught the most "onolicious"/FRESHEST fish from the local waters of Maui. SHISO supplied the restaurant, the majority of the fish for their sushi, daily. You might recognize Shawn, as he, his family and MISO PHAT SUSHI, was showcased on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" back in 2016. That show helped put MISO PHAT on Maui's destination map. If you have been to Maui, since 2013, I guarantee you've either heard of, or eaten at MISO PHAT SUSHI! The combination of Shawn, his amazing ALOHA hospitality, the employees of MISO PHAT and his boat, SHISO PHAT is what makes MISO PHAT SUSHI loved by locals and guests abroad. Without SHISO, its unknown what might come of MISO PHAT. If you know Shawn and his genuinely ginormous heart or have dined at MISO PHAT, find it in YOUR heart to give back a little of the ALOHA he stoked you out with, and help him acquire a new, bigger and better SHISO PHAT 2.0 boat-so he can continue serving you and making you laugh. :)

2. If you ever went to Kaanapali, to grab a drink or a nibble at the barefoot bar at HULA GRILL-you surely would have seen Gail and her sweet, smiling face, behind the iconic bar. She's known to serve up a mean AKAMai Tai...She most recently worked at Honu, and the Waikiki Brewing Company in Lahaina, which was completely destroyed in the fire. Like so many others on Maui, Gail made her living in the service industry. She did what she loved-being of service. Gail lost almost EVERYTHING including her home in the fire. She did try to drive out of Lahaina town in her truck-but had to abandon it because the flames were racing towards her. She fled on foot to safety with just the clothes on her back and her beloved cat, Moses. Later, Gail went back to find her truck (which thankfully did not burn), and has been using it to help transport supplies around Lahaina . Gail is such a sweet and beautiful soul, who loves racing in regattas, finding forever homes for foster cats and dogs, and spending time with friends and family...she is truly an earth angel. Please help Gail get back on her feet, so she can continue to do what she does best...being of service.

3. Silver Aly. I've known Silver just over 25 years. He and his beautiful wife Nicole recently opened up Kealani's Juice Co. (named after their daughter Kealani) in front of the Marriott, in Kaanapali. In the 25 years that I have known Silver...he has always been a mover and shaker, a leader in the hospitality industry, whether management positions at the Ritz Carlton, or investment partner at Maui Brews (back in the day), Silver always strived to do better, always one upping himself to provide and gift his family with the BEST life possible. He moved back to the mainland to raise his older children, but Maui runs deep in his veins and recently returned with his wife Nicole and youngest daughter Kealani. True to spirit, Silver jumped right back into building a wonderful life for his family-with dreams of starting his own business that his whole family could be a part of. Out of love, hard work, grit, and passion came Kealani's Juice Company. Their dream became a reality this past April. Less than 4 months later, the fire of Lahaina shattered their dreams. They lost their home and all of the resources to help make their dream thrive. This amazing family is strong, and held together by so much love. Please help them build again and make better what they have lost-Your generosity and support mean the world.

It's your opportunity to live Aloha, and give back to the beautiful island of Maui, which has given you so much beauty, memories and love. Mucho Mahalos in advance for your kindness and your genorosity.