In Unity for Lahaina

Photo by Catherine Cluett Pactol

A number of Molokai residents traveled to Maui to join in the Ho’ulu Lahaina Unity Gathering on Saturday, Jan. 20. The event drew thousands of attendees from across the state, walking more than four miles in support of Lahaina residents and the community’s recovery from the devastating fires that engulfed the town last August.
‘[I came] to represent Molokai,” said resident Authur Ainoa. “We were here in the beginning when it all happened and the boatloads of food coming over, but I just wanted to be a part of it, be on the ground with them and gather and stand strong. We’re all part of Hawaii.”
Under a sea of flags representing the diversity of Lahaina town, attendees walked from Lahaina Bypass to Launiupoko Beach Park.
In the gathering that followed the walk, the crews of Hokule’a and sister voyaging canoes sailed in to join the Lahaina community, including several crewmembers from Molokai.