Club invites all to raise Maui funds

Back in February, the Canyon Lake Yacht Club scheduled a Hawaiian Cruise and Party for Sunday to coincide with Hawaii Statehood Day. No one knew, of course, that the week before the event a disastrous wildfire would destroy much of Lahaina and devastate the people there.

As a result, the non-profit club has decided to open the event up to all Canyon Lakers to come and party and raise money for Maui wildfire relief. The party will start at 6:15 p.m. at the Holiday Harbor Guest Docks.

There is no fee for joining in on the event. Everyone is encouraged to wear Hawaiian clothes, bring appetizers to share and their own beverages. Those with boats can bring their boat. The club will attempt to secure rides in member boats for those who show up without a boat.

Canyon Lake’s Bob and Michelle Burns captured this photo from their hotel room while they were visiting Maui when the fire there broke out. The Canyon Lake Yacht Club is holding a fundraiser cruise Sunday to benefit the Lahaina Wildfire Relief. Photo by Bob Burns

After about an hour of socializing on the docks, the cruise will begin and will lead to the boats tying up for more socializing.

Hawaiian music will waft through the air, people will party, but intertwined in the evening’s events will be a somber mood because of the tragic loss of the historic community of Lahaina.

“It would be terribly insensitive to have a party about Hawaii without using our Hawaiian event to help in this time of great tragedy and loss,” Club Commodore Ron Wilbur said. “This is a way we can show our friends and neighbors in Maui the size of our hearts through raising funds to help them in their time of need. Let’s party and open our hearts and wallets to help.”

Flyers with QR codes for vetted charities supporting those impacted in Maui by the fires will be distributed to those attending.

Paul Hawker and Teresa Fidler try on their Hawaiian attire in preparation for the annual Canyon Lake Yacht Club Hawaiian Cruise Sunday. In light of the tragic recent fire there, the club will be raising funds for the Lahaina Wildfire Relief.Photo provided by Ron Wilbur

Bob Burns, co-chair of Sunday’s event, just returned from Maui where he and his wife Michelle spent a week. The Canyon Lake couple witnessed the devastation as they drove past Lahaina to the airport. He said it was heartbreaking. He has started a GoFundMe page to help out. The page is located at gofund.me/43bcc03d.

“We witnessed the devastation firsthand.” Bob said. “The town burned up on Tuesday, Aug. 8. No one there has any power, internet, or cell phone coverage. My main concern is for many of our friends there, and the other local people. The gofundme page I set up will help those people who have lost their jobs, and in many cases their homes.”

Bob recounted how a desk clerk at their hotel showed up several days in a row wearing the same dress. When asked, she explained that her house burned down, had no other clothes and felt that with no other place to go she could at least work.

Michelle had brought two brand new dresses for their vacation and gave them both to the young lady at the desk. This act of kindness is representative of the way Canyon Lakers respond to tragedy – they do what they can to help, Ron said.