Lahaina Brewery has found a new home Upcountry at the Kulamalu Town Center (shown here). A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Sept. 9. Photo courtesy Koholā Brewery

As the two-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire approaches, Lahaina Brewery is raising a glass to the acquisition of Mahalo Aleworks.

Doing business as Koholā Brewery, Lahaina Brewery announced the acquisition Wednesday. Publicist Melissssa Padilla said the company received the blessing of the state liquor commission and is open for business at the Kulamalu town center in Pukalani near the popular Restaurant Marlow.

Owner Mary Anderson said the acquisition marks a significant and hopeful step forward in the brewery’s path of rebuilding, resilience and renewal.

“We’re ecstatic,” she said, adding the merger had been in the works since December 2024.

The August 2023 fires displaced thousands of families and forced the closure of countless local businesses, including Lahaina Brewery’s original taproom and brewhouse in the heart of Lahaina.

Anderson said that despite the loss, Koholā remained steadfast in its mission to serve the craft beer community. With the acquisition of Mahalo Aleworks, Koholā Brewery is now able to resume brewing operations on Maui, returning to its roots with a dedicated space for small-batch experimentation, specialty brews and continued innovation.

She said the Upcountry location not only strengthens production but deepens the brewery’s commitment to supporting and investing in Maui’s people and future.

A celebration is scheduled for Sept. 9 that Anderson said will honor the company’s decadelong connection to Lahaina, its roots, triumphs, despair and rebirth.

“We are honored to join the Upcountry ohana and to finally have the opportunity to brew on Maui again,” she said, adding that it was serendipitous the way things came together. “This next chapter is about more than beer — it’s about rebuilding with intention and community at the center.”

For Mahalo Aleworks, the transition honors its original mission to brew with integrity, uplift local sourcing and build meaningful connections in the Upcountry community.

“We’ve always cared deeply about our amazing Upcountry community,” said Ben and Jacquelyn Kopf, co-founders of Mahalo Aleworks. “We know Koholā shares that same commitment to local beer and community stewardship.”

Koholā’s signature flagship series — including Lahaina Haze, Lokahi Pilsner, Red Sand Amber Ale, The Waterman IPA and Talk Story Pale Ale — will continue to flow in collaboration with Kona Brew, while the Upcountry brewhouse will serve as a creative hub for seasonal, one-of-a-kind releases.

Anderson said it was a win-win that the two small businesses could come together for mutual benefit.

The original Koholā taproom off Front Street was known as “Lahaina’s Living Room,” a gathering space for locals and travelers.

Today, Koholā continues that spirit of connection at its Wailea Village taproom and eatery and now with brewing operations again in Upcountry Maui.