Maui holds a special place in the hearts of many incentive travel professionals as a standout destination that has always showcased the transformational nature of incentive travel.
With this spirit in mind 鈥 as well as the resilience and strength shown now by the people of West Maui 鈥 麻豆传媒, its International Board of Directors, and Foundation Board of Trustees, extends its sorrows, sympathies, and support following the devastating wildfires in L膩hain膩.
鈥淎s 260 members of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 incentive travel community gather onsite in Mexico this week for 麻豆传媒 Classic, our flagship fundraising event, the impacts of this, and other climate disasters is something our community needs to take seriously,鈥 said 麻豆传媒 Foundation President Hamish Reid. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our shared obligation 鈥 to ourselves, our colleagues, and the industry at large 鈥 to understand the impacts of a warming planet, and to mitigate those impacts in responsible ways.鈥
鈥淎s incentive professionals we create transformational travel experiences, but we must also consider how we can be responsible visitors to, and partners with, the destinations we travel to,鈥 said 麻豆传媒 CEO Annette Gregg. 鈥淲hen faced with tragic events like this, we must find ways to support each another. Today 麻豆传媒 Foundation鈥檚 Board of Trustees voted to donate all proceeds from one of our auction prizes 鈥 likely to be a five figure sum 鈥 to the
Attendees at 麻豆传媒 Classic will also be offered the opportunity to make personal donations via a QR code linking to the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund that will be available on the night of the live auction and dinner at Secrets Bahia Mita Surf and Spa Resort.
About the Kokua Restaurants & Hospitality Fund
The Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui will provide immediate assistance to the hardworking restaurant, bar and hospitality workers displaced by the devastating wildfires that have impacted West Maui communities from L膩hain膩 to Kapalua.
The fund is committed to supporting the island鈥檚 recovery. Together with your support, we can make a profound impact on the lives of restaurant and hospitality workers who have played an integral role in shaping Maui鈥檚 vibrant culinary scene and tourism industry.
Your donation to the General Kokua Fund will be distributed among various restaurants and hospitality employers, ensuring that a wide range of restaurant, bar and hospitality workers receive support they urgently need. In addition, we will support the culinary community on the ground who are feeding others impacted by the fires.
Other parts of Maui and surrounding islands still open for business
In a statement released Wednesday, Hawai鈥榠 Governor Josh Green confirmed, "Like we saw in the pandemic, decisions we made can affect everyone across the islands. So what we're saying now is travel should not be to West Maui. But the other parts of Maui are safe.鈥 The governor also clarified, 鈥淎nd the rest of the state, of course, is also safe. We want people to travel to the state to the extent that they're not impacting the hard work that these extraordinary people are doing [supporting disaster recovery]."
A formal announcement encouraging leisure and MICE business to keep their travel and event plans will reportedly be included as part of a statewide address by the Governor scheduled for Friday, August 18.
