Asheville restaurant to host luau in support of Maui fire victims
ASHEVILLE - An Asheville restaurateur is calling for support for a community left in ruins.
Melissa Gray, owner of RosaBees, a local Polynesian cuisine restaurant, will host a benefit with proceeds going to residents impacted by the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.
“These people have lost everything. It blindsided a lot of people and there are still a lot of people missing,” Gray told Citizen Times on Aug. 25. “There are still over 1,000 people unaccounted for. They have no cellphone service. They have no electricity. It’s completely demolished.”
On Aug. 8, fires devastated Lahaina Town ― a historic site formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. A month later, recovery efforts remain dire with residents left with little to nothing.
Many residents have lived on the more than century-old island with families dating several generations, Gray said. The residents have not only have they lost their homes but also their businesses and workplaces, Gray said.
On Sept. 5, USA Today reported that the fires have “killed at least 115 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and caused an estimated tens of billions of dollars in damage.”
On Sept. 14, RosaBees will present the Maui Fires Fundraising Luau from 6-11 p.m. at the restaurant, 27 Foundy St. in the River Arts District.
“This is the least we can do, give back to them in their time of need,” Gray said.
For the people of Maui
Over the years, Gray, an Asheville native, has spent much time on the island visiting family and friends and has heard accounts of the current conditions. She considers it a second home and plans to relocate there permanently one day.
Her personal and spiritual connections to Hawaii motivated the opening of RosaBees, designed to introduce Polynesian cuisine to Asheville diners.
Proceeds from the restaurant’s fundraiser will go directly to the Maui community, and guests may choose to donate additional funds at the event, she said.
“The whole point of this is to get money directly into the people’s hands and not through any government agency,” Gray said. “It’s to get the money directly to them so they can rebuild themselves.”
Donations will be allocated through the People’s Fund of Maui, a charitable group of the Entertainment Industry Foundation formed to provide monthly direct financial assistance to residents impacted by the fires in Lahaina and Kula. Dwayne Johnson, Oprah Winfrey and Jason Mamoa are a few celebrities who’ve called for support and donations through the fund.
The fundraiser is a reminder that the Maui community will need continued support.
"I think the fear right now is when all of this attention goes away, the big question becomes, 'What happens next?'" Hawaii state Sen. Angus McKelvey whose district includes West Maui and Lahaina, told USA Today. "Will all of those commitments and public promises be kept?"
RosaBees' luau experience
Rosabees' fundraising event will not be seated but presented in a traditional luau style in which each guest will receive a fresh orchid lei, dinner, music and a show.
The tickets, available via Eventbrite, are $100 per guest with all-inclusive food and beverages.
The Spirit of Polynesia, a local performance company, will perform three hula dances over the course of the evening and invites attendees to participate.
A portion of RosaBees' parking lot will offer additional tent-covered tables for the indoor-outdoor event. However, guests are encouraged to mix and mingle while the deejay plays set between live performances.
RosaBees’ buffet will feature Lomi salmon, poke and traditional Hawaiian sides, like Bok choy. Desserts will include butter mochi and ube pie.
Vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
Many area businesses have joined RosaBees' efforts by donating funds, goods and services. Hickory Nut Gap Farm will donate the whole hog that will be prepared on a smoker on-site for dishes like the pork kalua.
US Foods, Cheney Brothers, What Chefs Want and Mountain Foods will donate the rest of the ingredients for Executive Chef Cookie Hadley and the rest of the RosaBees team to prepare so that ticket sales and other monetary donations can go toward the charitable cause, Gray said.
Hillman Beer, Highland Brewing and Ginger’s Revenge will donate beer and ginger beer.
The open bar will offer tropical drinks like a rum cocktail ― with rum provided by a private donor.
Matcha Nude has offered matcha lemonade as one of the nonalcoholic alternatives.
A silent auction will feature items up for bids including pottery from East Fork, saltwater floatation spa services from Still Point Wellness, a rare bottle of bourbon from Gray’s personal collection, and more collectibles, vacation stays and premier experiences.
Read more about the Maui fires:
'Don't forget about us': Maui victims struggle one month after deadly fires
Devastating losses: Economic toll from Maui fires at least $4 billion, Moody's projects
'Burned down to ashes': Why devastated Lahaina Town is such a cherished place on Maui
RosaBees' Maui Fires Fundraising Luau
Where: 27 Foundy St., Asheville.
When: 6-11 p.m. Sept. 14.
Cost: $100.
Info: Purchase tickets at Eventbrite. For more, visit rosabees.com and follow facebook.com/Rosabeesavl.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Maui fires: Asheville Hawaiian restaurant to host luau fundraiser
