My name is Chad Paranto, and I am the promoter of Maui Gift and Craft Fair that is held in Lahaina every Sunday. Several of my artisans and vendors lived in Lahaina and lost everything, and we are raising money to help these Lahaina residents. Not only have these people lost their homes they have also lost their ability to create art, jewelry and crafts to support their livelihoods.
Their names are (from left to right in photo): Len Ramos sells beach covers and wooden epoxy money clips; GeneCastillo-his wife-daugher-and one of their two dogs (the other didn’t survive the fire)- Gene made laser engraved wood art shown in photo; Rev Kimo James Kirkman-his wife- and daughters (both his dogs passed away in the fires); Tenzin Chogyl sells unique clothing; Peter and Esmi Bianucci sold hand made jewelry; Jessalyn Manina makes hand made jewelry shown under umbrella in photo.
Others with photos unavailable: Sincerity Williams, known as Lani made handmade jewelry and bags; Leslie Grant and family – she sold Hawaiian printed luggage and bags; Ashley Probst did tarrot card readings. Not only have these vendors and almost all of the Lahaina residents lost everything, but many had to endure the fire in person. If you have seen any footage, you can only imagine how graphic it was for them. Lani had to be heroic with her mom and they jumped into the ocean to escape the fire, later to be rescued by the Coast Guard.
