Marina Polynesian group holding benefit event to help those affected by Maui wildfires

MARINA, Calif. (KION-TV) Update Dec. 16, 2023, at 11:19 a.m.- A local Polynesian group has announced that it has planned a benefit event to help those impacted by the Maui wildfires.

Nā Haumāna is partnering with Palenke Arts to hold the benefit on August 27 from noon to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts in Seaside. The group said they are currently looking for vendors willing to commit at least 20% of sales.

They are also looking for donations for a raffle that will be held during the event. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the Maui relief effort.

"We are looking for hotel stays, gift cards, sporting event tickets, and/ or even things to put together in baskets (wine bottles, chocolate/candy, games for game night, snacks, art supplies or whatever else you can think of!" a person promoting the benefit said on social media.

Raffle items are asked to be brought in by the 21st of August to allow time to put together raffle prizes.

People can physically drop off raffle donations on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Monday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nā Haumāna located at 3170 Vista Del C Amino Suite in Marina. Gift certificates or a small raffle item can be dropped off through the mail slot at any time.

The event is free for all and will have performances by the Ho'omana Hawaiian Band, Ha'a Hula / Te Reva O Te Manu, Halau Hula Hi’ilani o Ke Kai, U-Jam, Zumba, and Nā Haumāna.

Bring your own chairs and blankets for seating.

ORIGINAL STORY

One local Polynesian group is working to send aid to the people of Maui impacted by the wildfires.

Louella Sumler, Director of Na Huamana said their main goal right now is to send supplies or money to all the people who need it during this challenging time.

"It's really heartbreaking to see something like this happen," said Sumler. “Where a wildfire just kinda goes across a town, a county and destroys so many things and lives.”

Sumler reacted to the destruction the wildfires caused the town of Lahaina earlier this week.
She said her hula students have family on Maui and they were evacuated due to the fires.

"They were just saying the supplies are getting low there in their community," said Sumler.
The American Red Cross said they have every resource available to help those impacted by the fires.

"We have 240 red crossers from Hawaii and across the U.S. and they're either preparing to leave, they're en route, or they're on the grounds supporting those affected,” said John Ruiz, Regional Disaster Officer, for Northern California Coastal Region.

Ruiz also said Thursday evening they had close to 2,200 overnight shelter stays in the Maui region.

"With our government partners, we provide a safe place for people to stay, food, and emotional support," said Ruiz. "We do have disaster spiritual care workers to provide support."

Sumler is also brainstorming ideas to help out people who've lost everything on the island.

"Our plan is to do a benefit show and kind of collaborate with other organizations in the community to help raise money," said Sumler.

Sumler said she still doesn't know when the concert will be but will let KION know as soon as she does. The American Red Cross said they plan on staying on the island as long as they need to, and they are prepared to deploy more people in the next couple of weeks.  

CAL FIRE says they're also ready to deploy resources if needed.