We all are all affected when we see the current volcanic devastation on Hawai‘i Island and flooding aftermath on Kaua‘i from April.  But three Maui residents turned those emotions into action, and invited hundreds to join them.

Project Kōkua for Kaua‘i & Hawaiʻi Island featured more than 20 chefs, and sold out every ticket available at Maui Tropical Plantation on Sunday, July 8; you can see the highlights in our video above.  The fundraiser evolved through the efforts of Chef Lyndon Honda, Executive Chef at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, along with Lisa & Halemanu Villiarimo.

Lisa is the Owner of Aloha Lifestyle, a lifestyle and food consulting company; entertainer, Halemanu, is a recent 2018 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner for Island Music Album of the Year.

All proceeds raised will go towards relief efforts distributed through Rotary Lāhainā Foundation along with Mālama Kaua‘i and Rotary Club of Pāhoa.

On both islands, families and businesses are in need of financial assistance in order to begin the process of recovery and rebuilding. Event organizers raised around $22,000 in ticket sales alone, with the silent auction bringing in even more.  100% of the donations go toward directly helping the communities, and monetary gifts are still being accepted toward the causes.  Checks can be made out to The Rotary Foundation, memo: Project Kōkua.