Luau and Cruise raises Maui Relief funds

When the Canyon Lake Yacht Club has an event, it’s usually just for fun and a great social time with new and old friends. The Hawaiian Luau and Cruise on Sunday was no different except this time the Club welcomed all Canyon Lake residents to the event and used the opportunity to raise money to help provide some relief for Maui residents affected by the recent tragic wildfires on the island.

Club members Bob and Michelle Burns just returned from Maui where they have been distributing donated items and money from Canyon Lake residents in addition to those from their own generosity.

Bob and Michelle shared stories describing the tears, grief and anguish among the locals of Lahaina, where they have many friends. The Yacht Club has posted poignant photos of the locals sent from Bob and Michelle on Canyon Lake social media and through the local press.

The Luau’s somber note was offset by the fun time and laughter from the many boats as finger food and libations were consumed by attendees.

The Yacht Club collected money and gained new members with a way to help in wildfire relief by providing a free annual membership to anyone that donated $15 or more, an offer that continues through the end of September. The Yacht Club donates 100% of the proceeds to Maui relief from money raised. The club has also posted lists of badly needed items to send with the Burns on their next trip to Maui.

The Luau and Cruise included a Hawaiian outfit contest, with three women placing in the top three. One of the men did participate, but the women’s attire easily outdid his.

In a show of hands, almost everyone in attendance had been to Hawaii and also to the island of Maui. Lots of new members since July 1 raised their hands, many of whom were participating in their first Yacht Club event. The club welcomed Cindy and Scott Gonzalez, attending their first club event after moving from Pasadena to Canyon Lake just five days before.

Before and after the brief meeting time at the Holiday Harbor Guest Docks, attendees wandered from boat to boat, sampling food, meeting new people and swimming or floating in the lake to cool off.

As the sun was setting, boats loaded up with passengers and headed for a leisurely cruise around the Main Lake, settling in for a tie-up in Catfish Cove where more socializing and swimming took place through the beautiful starlit evening. The Sunday event was the second Yacht Club event to raise money and goods for Maui. The club has also created coloring pages for kids to download, color and send to kids on Maui. The downloadable coloring pages are posted on the Yacht Club website at CanyonLakeYachtClub.com.

“This is a kid-to-kid program that we created after a conversation with Bonnie Dubbs, president of the Canyon Lake Guild and a former flight attendant who used to fly the Maui route,” Commodore Ron Wilbur said. “It’s a way for local kids to let Maui kids know that in this time of extreme sadness and loss they are not alone and that there are kids in other communities who want them to know that they are loved and not forgotten at this time.”

Representatives of the Yacht Club will also be in booths at Maui Sunday to raise Maui Relief Funds at the invitation of the Canyon Lake POA on Sunday, and again at the invitation of the Canyon Lake Guild at HarborFest on Sept. 23.