Kea Lani Aims to Raise $10,000 by Thanksgiving for Haiyan Relief

Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui. Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

By Wendy Osher

Employees at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui have set a goal to raise $10,000 by Thanksgiving Day for victims of the recent Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

As part of the fundraising efforts, the resort’s 650 employees will host “Maui’s Biggest Garage Sale” from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, in the hotel’s main ballroom.

The sale is open to the public, with 100% of proceeds to be donated directly to the American Red Cross for assistance in their relief efforts, hotel management said.

“After learning of the devastation and the tremendous need for aid in the Philippines, we knew we had to do our part,” said Charles Head, general manager of The Fairmont Kea Lani in a company press release.

“The team at the Kea Lani is extraordinary at pulling together to make a difference. I’m continuously impressed by the generosity of this group in the local community and I’m confident that we will reach our donation goal of $10,000 by Thanksgiving Day,” said Head.

Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui. Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

In addition to the upcoming garage sale event, employees have also been selling waffle dogs, pizza, banana bread, baked goods, plate lunches, and babinka over the past 10 days.

The hotel has been host to fundraising events earlier this year for The American Heart Association and Maui Culinary Academy. Employees also participated in the Maui County Hotel & Lodging Association charity walk, and the “Life is Sweet” dessert competition to benefit Best Buddies of Hawaiʻi.

For the upcoming holidays, the hotel has announced plans to host Maui’s kupuna and donate hot turkey dinners to the Women Helping Women shelter, as well at the South Maui police, fire and paramedic departments.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa also issued an advisory last week, urging Maui County residents to join him in sending help to the Philippines in its recovery from Typhoon Haiyan by donating to the American Red Cross.

The Hawaiʻi Red Cross is among the many registered agencies that are offering a venue for Hawaiʻi residents to donate. The agency has also established a family tracing hotline to assist Hawaiʻi residents in their search for any missing family members in the Philippines.

State officials issued a special consumer alert to encourage donations following the devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, but advised the public to first verify the donations are being made to reputable charities.

Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui. Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.