The devastating Maui wildfires, that began on August 8, have claimed the lives of at least 114 people. Several hundred remain missing, while thousands have been displaced.

Here in Melbourne, two events this September are raising money to help with relief efforts on the Hawaiian island, which is facing, one expert has said, its biggest crisis since Pearl Harbor. The events aim to pay homage to Hawaiian desserts and culture.

The state of Hawaii, made up of 137 islands, has a rich food tradition that has been greatly shaped by the islands’ produce and the state’s history of immigration and settlement. The cuisine draws influence largely from Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and North American food. Desserts that are well known outside of the islands include butter mochi, guava cake and malasadas (enriched yeasted doughnuts).

We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.

SIGN UP

“Aloha” means many things in Hawaiian, including “hello”, “goodbye” and “love”. And John Anderson, who is organising the Aloha Maui fundraiser, tells Broadsheet that in addition to raising money, his goal is “to feed people’s hearts and bellies with the spirit of Aloha.”

Here are two events being held in Melbourne to help raise money for wildfire relief efforts on Maui.

Aloha Maui
On Saturday September 2, some of Melbourne best bakers, including the teams from All Are Welcome, Back Alley Bakes, Mali Bakes and Raya, are teaming up for a Hawaiian-inspired bake sale at Second Story Studios in Collingwood, from 10am until sold out.

The bake sale is being organised by Anderson, a Melbourne-based Kama'aina
whose family is from Kihei on Maui. The event will raise funds for Hawaii Community Foundation to deploy aid through the Maui Strong Fund.

“We didn’t want to be prescriptive. The discussion with bakers so far has been for them to think of their interpretation of Hawaiian flavours using their approach and talents,” Anderson, also the co-founder of Monk’s Chai, tells Broadsheet. “We’re going to have fun.”

In addition to the bake sale, Anderson is teaming up with fellow Melbourne-based Kama'aina Dustin Brown, a surfer and yoga instructor, to host a series of $30 ticketed meditation and yoga classes throughout the day, with funds also going to Hawaii Community Foundation.

Second Story Studios, 222A Johnston Street, Collingwood
Saturday September 2
Bake sale 10am until sold out
Meditation and yoga classes run throughout the day. Tickets to the classes can be purchased here.

From Melbourne to Maui With Aloha and Love
On Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10, Grace Guinto of Filipina entrepreneur collective The Entree Pinays and baking business Sweet Cora is teaming up with West Footscray cafe Migrant Coffee to raise money for Maui Food Bank.

Stop by Migrant Coffee from 8am to 2pm for Sweet Cora’s Spam musubi (a rice, nori and grilled Spam snack) and mochi treats; malasadas from Pecks Road; chai from Monk Chai and coffee made using Akasya Kape beans. All profits will be donated to Maui Food Bank.
Migrant Coffee, 3/576 Barkly St, West Footscray
Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10
8am–2pm