Coming Together: MRR's Response to the 2023 Lahaina Fires

MRR Partners with American Red Cross

In the wake of the devastating Lahaina fire in August of 2023, our community has faced many unprecedented challenges. The fires left a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds of Lahaina residents, including some of our own Maui Resort Rentals employees. As a company deeply rooted in the local community, we quickly opened our doors, partnering with the American Red Cross to provide temporary housing for displaced MRR employees and hundreds of Lahaina residents.

Many of the Lahaina residents who lost homes in the fires worked in the visitor economy and have spent years serving our visitors. We felt it was only right that we try to do what we can to help out these displaced residents during their time of need. We are also filled with gratitude for all the support we have received from owners, past guests, and future guests throughout this time—many of whom contributed generously to our GoFundMe to help our employees recover from the devastating events.

Nearly one-third of our staff had lost their homes and personal belongings in the fires, yet many still showed up for work in the immediate aftermath and we are immensely grateful to them. Their dedication and resilience was inspiring! It required a massive team effort to assist the more than 1000 guests with near-term reservations that all-of-a-sudden needed to reschedule or cancel their stay. 

The Ohana Foundation 

Recognizing the ongoing needs of our community as support from the American Red Cross begins to run out, Maui Resort Rentals felt compelled to take further action. Leveraging our company resources, we established the Ohana Foundation, a non-profit initiative aimed at providing long-term subsidized housing solutions through Valley Isle Resort to numerous Lahaina fire survivors. Our goal was to offer more than just temporary relief; we wanted to support these individuals as they rebuilt their lives in the aftermath of the disaster. 

Additionally, we forged a partnership with a local organization called the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, which enabled us to provide fire victims with a range of supplies and belongings they may have lost to the fires. From basic necessities like toilet paper and laundry soap to household appliances and cookware, our collaboration with the organizations "Kakoo" program allowed us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by the fires, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to supporting the Lahaina community in their journey towards recovery.