West Maui hotels donate to Lahaina tribute quilt, honor first responders, reflect on one year since wildfires

In honor of the Maui wildfire remembrance of Aug. 8, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas installed a Kapa Kuiki Quilt, in their hotel lobby. The 16 panels that make up the quilt, tell stories of the history of Lahaina in a design by artists of ʻohana o Pūnana Leo o Maui. The Westin Nanea obtained the Lahaina tribute quilt in an auction at the most recent Ho‘omau event and installed the piece of symbolism for public display on the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires.

As the Pūnana Leo Preschool of Lahaina was greatly impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires of 2023, the proceeds of this quilt purchase contributed to the overall recovery and support of the Hawaiian immersion early education programs.  

“Part of our kuleana at this resort is to provide our guests cultural and historic exposure to further understand Maui,” said Chris Rabang, General Manager of The Westin Nanea. “It is an honor to host the Kapa Kuiki as this holds parts of Lahaina in an expression we all can appreciate.”

In addition to the quilt tribute, The Westin Nanea joined The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, in and The Marriott Maui Ocean Club in the Marriott Vacations Worldwide Paddle Out that took place on Aug. 8, 2024. The Westin Nanea provided meals and delivery during the event to the first responders of the Lahaina and Nāpili Fire Stations and Lahaina Police Station as an appreciation of their immediate and long-term recovery efforts for West Maui.

For more information on how to support Maui through hotel efforts like these, visit www.mauihla.org.