On September 6, 2025, the inaugural Lights for Lahaina filled the grounds of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church with healing and aloha. From heartfelt activities to the powerful Light March that brought hundreds together, the evening was a meaningful reminder of Lahaina’s strength and spirit.
A free community event presented by Aloha Amplified, a 501(c)3 organization, in coordination with Kumu Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i from Mālama Maui ‘Ohana Foundation and the community.
This time capsule will preserve our community's spirit, stories, and dreams until August 8, 2043 - exactly 20 years after we began healing together. Choose if you wish to receive this message and share with friends, family and community.
Sponsored by: Maui Pono Foundation, Roy & Betty Sakamoto, and Paul & Jillina Dinletir
Throughout the evening, attendees will be uplifted by the sounds and stories of Lahaina. Entertainment will feature local musicians and hālau hula, while cultural practitioners and storytellers share moʻolelo that bring Lahaina’s history and spirit to life. These performances celebrate Lahaina’s cultural richness, resilience, and enduring spirit of aloha.
Speakers: Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i and Archie Kalepa
MC: DJZ
Sponsored by Tyler Coons Maui
Guests of all ages are invited to decorate and dedicate their own lanterns—symbols of light, love, and healing. Whether honoring someone lost, expressing gratitude, or offering a wish for Lahaina’s future, each lantern becomes part of a collective installation glowing across the church grounds. Lanterns and markers will be provided on site. Guests are welcome to take their lantern home as a meaningful keepsake of the evening.
6:45 - 8:30 pm
Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i
This meaningful procession invites participants to walk together from Puʻunoa Beach to Maria Lanakila Catholic Church — lanterns in hand — guided by reflections from Kumu Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i and other cultural and historical voices. Along the way, participants will pause to hear moʻolelo (stories) and memories that honor the people, places, and legacy of Lahaina. Portions of the path will be softly lit, creating space for quiet reflection—not only on what was lost, but on the memories we carry and the strength that leads us forward.
Details on Light March
The Lahaina Time Capsule invites the community to pause and put pen to paper—capturing this moment in history not just as a memory, but as a message to the future. Maui’s ‘ohana from keiki to kupuna are encouraged to contribute letters, poems, drawings, or reflections addressed to a future Lahaina, loved ones yet to be born, or even their future selves. Submissions will be sealed in an archival-grade capsule to be buried on the grounds of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church and opened on August 8, 2043—the 20th anniversary of the wildfire.
Contribute to the Time Capsule at the September 6 event or upload online below.
Sponsored by: Pacific Media Group
Lahaina’s youngest voices are honored through this uplifting art and story project entitled “My Wish for Lahaina.” Keiki are invited to reflect on what Lahaina means to them and share their hopes for the future.
Submissions can also be made after the event. Entries will be featured in an online tribute to be released on the LightsforLahaina.org website in December 2025. Parents or guardians are encouraged to participate alongside their keiki.
5:30 - 6:15 pm
Malia Davidson of Punawai Healing
Inspired by the Hawaiian value of hā—the sacred breath of life—this quiet space invites guests to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with their inner calm. Through simple breathing exercises and mindful stillness, Hā Moments offer attendees a chance to slow down and ground themselves in the present. Held just before the Light March, this activity helps prepare those who choose to participate in the walk, while offering a peaceful space for all guests to reflect and recharge.
Sponsored by The Episcopal Church in Hawai‘i
7:30 - 9:00 pm: John Hughes & Lori Venus-Hughes
8:00 - 8:45 pm: Paanaakala“Kala” Baybayan Tanaka of Hui O Waʻa Kaulua
Mālama Lani—“to care for the heavens”—invites guests to join John Hughes and Lori Venus-Hughes for a guided stargazing experience that encourages reflection on the deep connection between earth, ancestors, and the universe. This journey under the stars is enhanced with telescopes and gentle lighting, offering space for wonder, reflection, and connection. Kala Tanaka deepens the experience by sharing stories of Moʻolele, the voyaging canoe that first drew her into wayfinding and navigation, and how these traditions continue to guide her work as a navigator and educator.
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Guests are invited to engage with organizations that have been instrumental in Lahaina’s recovery and cultural preservation efforts. Through heartfelt conversations, visitors can learn about initiatives supporting survivors, protecting sacred spaces, rebuilding homes, and strengthening community ties. This activity reminds us that healing doesn’t happen alone—it happens together.
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