Maui Gala Raises Over $125K to Support Hope Lodge Hawai‘i

The HopeFest Maui Gala took place on Sept. 30, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. More than 200 attendees helped raise over $125,000 to support the American Cancer Society Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge Hawai‘i.

Hope Fest Maui 2017 149 – Tony Takitani was the master of ceremonies at the event. PC: Darren McDaniel

The program featured cancer survivors Senator Roz Baker and Robert Ho‘okano who spoke about Hope Lodge Hawai‘i.

Hope Lodge Hawai‘i is a free accommodation facility for adult cancer patients and their caregivers to stay when seeking treatment in Honolulu. “We have served over 231 cancer patients with 3,304 nights. Forty-seven of those patients were from Maui County,” said Senator Baker at the HopeFest Maui Gala.

“Before Hope Lodge, my wife spent three weeks in a pull-out chair at the hospital. We didn’t have family on O‘ahu. We didn’t have much choice,” said Ho‘okano as he shared his personal journey battling cancer. When Hope Lodge Hawai‘i first opened, he described the healing process and how the facility brought the simple pleasures of a home-away-from-home.

“The first thing I saw was a barbecue grill. It had been six months since I cooked my own steak! It was Sunday and the church bells began to ring. I was happy. I survived six rounds of chemo and my steak was starting to sizzle,” said Ho‘okano.

“We were all in tears. It goes to show how important Hope Lodge is. Proceeds from HopeFest helps hundreds of Hawai‘i cancer patients with a free place to stay so they don’t have to worry,” said event co-chair Raysha Mamala.

Attendees at the festival enjoyed a reception featuring music by Ikaika Blackburn, and drinks by Ocean Vodka and MauiWine. Guests bid on silent auction items and held signs of support at a “Maui by Moonlight” photo booth. To celebrate Maui’s plantation history, pineapple and sugarcane were incorporated into the decorations and cuisine.

The evening concluded with headline entertainment by Maui’s own Napua Greig who sang songs from her new album “Makawalu.: Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka also performed, and event co-chair Raysha treated the audience with an impromptu hula performance.

HopeFest continues to accept donations for Hope Lodge Hawai‘i. Visit here or call 244-5554 to donate.