Aloha Ranch founder to speak at Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting, May 20

The founder and director of Aloha Ranch will be the speaker at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Denise “Neesey” Nussbaum will talk about “Aloha Ranch, Lahaina: Our Community’s Journey from Hotels to Hales.” Nussbaum will share information about how Aloha Ranch and local community partners have addressed the needs of Lahaina fire survivor communities. 

Founded in 2019, Aloha Ranch focuses on serving houseless and vulnerable populations in West Maui. Nussbaum, a former sociology professor and diversity leader in California, moved to Maui after retirement and quickly recognized unmet community needs. Together with a small group of West Maui residents, she established Aloha Ranch to help families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Since its founding, Aloha Ranch has collaborated with local organizations, volunteers and donors to provide essential services to those in need. The organization was recently awarded $200,000 in Rotary District 5000 Foundation Maui Fire Relief funds to supply household items for 450 families moving into the tiny home village community in Wahikuli, Lahaina.

The Rotary meeting will be held in the Lahaina Noon Restaurant at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, 2780 Kekaʻa Drive, Lahaina, 96761. Social time and ordering food and drink from the Happy Hour Menu is at 4 p.m.  Program is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. To attend in person, email Club Service Chair Laura Stanton at lstanton127@outlook.com.