Kīhei Charter School Gifted $20,500 from Nick’s Fishmarket Maui

L to R: Matt Satovich, elementary school Lead Teacher; Cheryl Zarro, CFO; Leslie Baldridge, K-8 Director; John Colson, COO; Phill Schmidt, CTO; Aaron Placourakis; Michael Stubbs, High School Director.

Kīhei Charter School received a donation of $20,500 from Nick’s Fishmarket Maui restaurant.

The funds were raised during the restaurant’s recent 20th-anniversary celebration, with all profits from the event benefiting the school.

Kīhei Charter School is the only public charter school on the island serving elementary, middle and high school students. It is also currently the only high school in Kīhei.

“What a wonderful gift this is for Kīhei Charter School.  There are so many things that we would never be able to afford for our students without the help from great, caring people and companies like Nick’s Fishmarket,” said Gene Zarro, CEO of the South Maui Learning ʻOhana, the founding organization for the school.

The contribution will go towards general funds in providing necessary supplies for teachers and students in Kīhei Charter School’s new campus which opened last month in the Maui Research and Technology Park.  More than 640 students are enrolled at the school.

“The opening of the Kīhei Charter School campus is a significant milestone for our community as it provides a permanent home for our students and teachers,” said Aaron Placourakis, president and CEO of Tri-Star Restaurant Group. “Safety and security is the best environment we can provide for our keiki and educators to help them prosper.”

He continued, “This donation is not just from Nick’s Fishmarket but from our community. We were very clear about our 20th celebration being a fundraiser for the school. Many people came to support it with vigor and excitement knowing the vital role the school plays in the positive development of our youth and society.”

Nick’s Fishmarket Maui opened in 1998 and is located inside the Fairmont Kea Lani.