Amidst the devastating wildfire crises that ravaged Maui, the Maui Brewing Company initiated the Kōkua Project, a collaborative brewing venture drawing inspiration from Sierra Nevada’s Resilience project in 2018. This endeavor aimed to raise essential funds for the distressed communities. Meaning “extending help to others” in Hawaiian, the Kōkua Project united over 700 breweries across the United States and globally in a bid to support the affected people of Maui.
The brainchild of the Maui Brewing Company, the Kōkua Project involved breweries rallying together to produce a special beer. While Maui Brewing Company provided the foundational recipe, material partners generously donated necessary brewing supplies like yeast, hops, and malts to breweries in need. Through continuous communication via email marketing, participating breweries stayed informed about recipes, associated vendors, foundation details, events, marketing tools, tap handles, and merchandise kits.
Founder and CEO of Maui Brewing Company, Garrett Marrero, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response, stating, “From New Zealand to Japan and every US state in between, the brewing community has come together in a powerful and humbling way to support the people of Maui.” He emphasized how the Kōkua Project served as a unified effort to aid Maui’s ‘Ohana affected by the tragic wildfires.
Collaborating with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), Maui Brewing facilitated the financial aspects through the Maui Brewing Company Fire Fund. While GEM received donations from participating breweries, some opted to support organizations like Hawaii Community Foundation, Makai Foundation, or Legacy of Aloha. The latter specifically aided Maui Brewing and TS Restaurants’ team members who suffered losses due to displacement and devastation.
The combined endeavors of these brewing and philanthropic initiatives amassed an impressive $3 million for Maui’s relief efforts, with $1.5 million pledged through the Kōkua Project. Chris Thibaut, President and CEO of Maui Brewing Co. Restaurants, joyfully shared the milestone of reaching $1.77 million through the Legacy of Aloha program, thanking the community for its unwavering support.
Beyond monetary contributions, the Maui Brewing Company, under Garrett Marrero’s leadership, provided consistent aid by organizing supply missions, gathering essential items for survivors, and distributing emergency drinking water to affected communities. These efforts earned Marrero the prestigious Person of the Year Award from Brewbound, recognizing his embodiment of the craft brewing industry’s spirit.
For those eager to aid Maui’s relief endeavors, direct donations to the Maui Brewing Company Fire Fund are welcomed and can be made online via their website.