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The Maui News
Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners will lead a statewide, one-day vigil on Friday to aid the emotional and spiritual healing of those on Maui who suffered devastating loss from wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry on Aug. 8.
Ceremonies will be held at sunrise, noon and sunset on five different islands and are open to the public. In Maui County, ceremonies are planned for:
• University of Hawai'i Maui College, 310 W. Ka'ahumanu Ave., Kahului at noon, with Kumu Hula Hokulani Holt-Padilla leading the ceremony in partnership with kumu hula, cultural practitioners and leaders from diverse faiths.
• Ala Kukui, 4224 Hana Highway, Hana, at noon. This vigil is a reflection of East Maui's diverse faiths and rooted in Native Hawaiian place and practice.
• Kapuaiwa, Kalaniana'ole Hall, 605 Maunaloa Highway, Kaunakakai, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with Kumu Hula Mikiala Pescaia leading the sunset vigil in partnership with kumu hula, cultural practitioners including Walter Ritte and leaders from diverse faiths.
Ceremonies will be streamed live in partnership with 'Olelo, Akaku, KAKU 88.5 FM, Maui Stream, Na Leo TV, Ho'ike TV, Hawaii News Now, KHON-2 and KITV-4 and online at HawaiiSoul.org/Maui and on YouTube.
Holt-Padilla, a Maui-based kumu hula and revered Hawaiian cultural elder, explained that while financial assistance and other resources are being provided for the physical health of Maui families, many respected kupuna and Hawaiian cultural practitioners called out an equally important, intangible need.
"There's an urgent need for prayer, cleansing, and reflection so that together, we can help Maui and Hawai'i heal," Holt-Padilla said in a news release Tuesday. "This vigil will help to create a space for grief and healing and the opportunity for Hawai'i to be united."
Places of worship, hotels, businesses and other locations are encouraged to hold their own in-place vigils and to stream the ceremonies at their venues on social media. The vigil will also be featured in the UH/Stanford football pregame segment.