The Kuhinia Maui paddle out drew more than 4,000 people to Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park on Aug. 8, 2024. Photo courtesy Maui County

Special gatherings are being planned to honor the two-year anniversary of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires on Maui.

According to Maui County organizers, the events are opportunities for residents to gather and support one another while honoring the memories of loved ones lost and the resiliency of a community recovering from Hawaii’s most devastating wildfire disaster. The events will pay tribute to the 102 people who died and two who are still unaccounted for in the Maui wildfires.

“As we mark two years since the Maui wildfires, we honor the memories of loved ones lost and the incredible resilience our community continues to demonstrate throughout our journey of recovery and rebuilding,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. “Kuhinia Maui holds space for our community to come together, fostering hope and healing, as we move forward, together.”

A paddle out will take place from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at Hanaka’ō’ō Beach Park. That will be followed by a memorial from noon-1:30 p.m. at the Kalana O Maui building and a memorial from 5-7:30 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center Amphitheater.

Reservations are requested for the memorial gatherings. For more information and to reserve a spot, go to www.KuhiniaMaui.org.

Volunteers are needed for the events. In-person volunteers for the gatherings are requested. To volunteer, go to www.KuhiniaMaui.org/volunteer.html.

Organizers are also seeking foliage donations of debranched flowers, petals and small leaves for the paddle out scattering. Stringed leis are not on the donation list.

People can drop off donations from 4-5 p.m. Aug. 7 in front of the Kalana O Maui building at 200 S. High St. in Wailuku.

During the paddle out, spectators may watch from shore as the event will feature messages of hope, prayers and music.

Due to limited parking and public safety, Hanaka’ō’ō Beach Park will have designated equipment drop-off and pick-up areas only. Vehicle parking will be at the Lahaina Civic Center with shuttle service provided.

According to the event website, the paddle out is for participants on individual equipment, and the preference is for surf boards and swimmers with fins. Single-person canoes and kayaks are being discouraged. For the safety of participants, no unauthorized personal motorized boats are to be in the paddle out ocean gathering area. For more, go to www.kuhiniamaui.org/paddle-out1.html.