Local chef started on Maui and needs to help

You may or may not know, but I started my culinary career on Maui. I went to culinary school and the Maui Culinary Academy, worked in restaurants and as a private chef across the entire island. I spent nearly five years on the beautiful island, and it will always be my home away from home. If my family weren’t here in the Coulee, I would probably still live on Maui. I love Maui. My heart is broken by the destruction that Maui has faced.

Currently, Maui is struggling. Beginning last Tuesday, a series of wildfires attacked and wiped out homes, businesses, historical sites, cultural sites, and worst of all, human lives. Multiple fires burned across the island, with the most destructive taking a majority of Lahaina Town with it. The Lahaina fire is officially the most deadly wildfire in modern history, with a death toll of at least 99 lives lost at the time of this posting. This number is expected to rise in the coming days. Thousands of families lost everything as the fires, pushed by hurricane-force winds, moved too fast to warn people. Thousands more are without power and potable water.

The efforts that I have seen from my friends, colleagues, school instructors, employers, and church community on Maui are inspiring. They have put their lives on hold to assist those in need. Some are spending 12- to 16-hour days volunteering at shelters. Others are putting in long days in the college kitchen to put out 5,000-7,000 meals to those in shelter and to aid workers. Those with boats are pushing them to the max to make multiple trips from Kihei boat launch to the West Side to take much-needed supplies to those who are stranded. Nearly everyone I know has given anything “extra” from their homes to those who have nothing left. These people are giving their all, and it crushes me to not be able to stand with them to support those that are grieving and in need of assistance, but, I don’t have to physically be there to help.

To play my part in the relief efforts of my beloved island of Maui, I will be hosting a spaghetti feed fundraiser at PK’s on Monday, Aug. 21, from 5-8 p.m. $12 will get you a plate of spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad. This is a cash-only event. Plates can be eaten in our dining room or taken to go. All funds raised will be directly donated to the Maui Strong Foundation.

“The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.” There will also be a donation jar on the counter at PK’s that customers and community members are welcome to drop cash in during our normal operating hours.

As residents of Eastern Washington, we know the destruction of wildfire all too well. I know many of you love Maui. I ask that you stand with me to support the people of Maui in this time of great grief. 

We mourn with Maui.

To learn more about The Maui Strong Foundation visit:

https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

Patty Oliver

Chef PK