Kipuni Aloha no Maui (Embrace Beloved Maui)

In response to the devastating August 2023 wildfires in Maui, which claimed over 100 lives and displaced thousands, a one-day statewide vigil, Kipuni Aloha no Maui (Embrace Beloved Maui), was held on September 1, 2023. This event, orchestrated by the Hawaii Executive Collaborative and Aloha Soul in collaboration with community media organizations such as 'Olelo Community Media, Na Leo TV, Akaku Maui Community Media, and Ho?ike: Kaua?i Community Television, aimed to foster healing and unity across Hawai'i. Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners led ceremonies at sunrise, noon, and sunset, streamed live and coordinated using advanced Live U technology. The vigil saw significant engagement, with 63 in-person vigils, 2,000 attendees, and a global viewership of 5.84 million. The event's hashtag #KipuniAlohaNoMaui reached over 851K people, reflecting the united spirit of #MauiStrong and showcasing the critical role of Hawai'i's community media.