Support The Mowat Family: Maui Fire Refugees
Donation protected
Aloha! Of the 84 Mowat ‘Ohana members who call Lahaina, Maui home, 56 were left houseless after five of their properties and three rentals were destroyed in the Aug. 8th, 2023 wildfires. Nothing was salvageable and EVERYTHING BURNT DOWN including vehicles, important documents, cash savings, pets/farm animals, etc.
Many of the Mowat family members including the last names Cabanilla, Cathcart, Leopoldino, Okano, and more are being housed at family run shelters and at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, where Kekoa Mowat (Lahaina resident/fire survivor) is the head of Security.
Kekoa Mowat is a key pillar within the Lahaina community. His positive longstanding efforts to support his people not only exists within the hospitality world, but culturally focusing on Hawaiian environmental restoration and preservation events, and with our youth as he is also on the football, wrestling, and canoe paddling coaching staff at Lahainaluna High School.
- “We know we’re going to fade from the spotlight. That’s the biggest fear—what happens in six months, or when our house hasn’t started to be built yet. Where do we go? West side had problems with housing before we lost all the houses, so to find someplace for us to stay… is going to be tough…Thinking about the future is hard. The gap between the houses built and now—what happens in that period. Once the house is built, we have someplace to stay, that’s great, but the uncertainty is the hard part.” - Kekoa Mowat
Connor Mowat (Lahaina resident/fire survivor) is the son of Kekoa and also works within the management team at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort. Connor was a star wrestler and football player during his time attending his father’s alma matter, Lahainaluna High School, recently got married in December 2022, and currently has a 2 month old son.
- “We can rebuild, and we’re going to rebuild. We’re going to be back. But we cannot bring people back, and that’s the tough part… Trying to cope with that part of life now. This is the normal, and this is hard to get used to. We’re trying to recover as a people, but we just need all the support we can get at this point.” - Connor Mowat
We all worked so incredibly hard for our livelihood and would never ask or make a fundraiser page like this unless it was necessary. However, this fire completely devastated and overtook not only our homes but our entire town and beloved community. The majority of us lost our jobs and have near to nothing to our names now.
We are going to have to rebuild our lives from the ground up but we need your help! With your donations, we are hoping to lift some of the financial burdens to get us up off our feet. Your generosity will go towards immediate and long-term supply needs.
There are so many details we have to figure out, and so many uncertainties, but we are a reliant family and are adamant we will get through this. Please help us get through this!
Anything helps and everything is greatly appreciated <3
Mahalo - The Mowat ‘Ohana
*Bio description incorporates quotes taken from Maui Now article by verified and trusted local reporter Wendy Osher titled, “Lahaina wildfire survivors: “It’s hard knowing all of Lahaina needs help.” Click to watch the full interview
***Ashlyn Ani is first cousins with Connor Mowat and is facilitating this fundraiser on the family's behalf as there has been limited internet connection and cell service on Maui during this time. 100% of proceeds will go directly to The Mowat 'Ohana.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashlyn Ani
Organizer
Lahaina, HI
Letitia Cabanilla
Beneficiary