The Maui News

WAILUKU–The Maui Family YMCA announced plans on Tuesday to open a multi-use community resource space in Lahaina.

Renovations of a former retail building just mauka of Lahaina Gateway are beginning in August, with a goal of opening the facility in the last quarter of 2024. The new 6,000 square foot West Maui YMCA Resource Center will provide needed community-based programming and connectivity between the Lahaina community and other support agencies, with a goal of sustained recovery for the community devastated by wildfires last summer.

Once operational, The West Maui YMCA Resource Center will host a wide variety of programs and experiences for community members focused on youth development, personal well-being, social/emotional health and connectivity to community resources.

Maui Family YMCA has provided childcare services in Lahaina since September of 2023, and looks forward to expanding services in the new resource center, as well. A key to this work will be creating partnerships with other nonprofit organizations to provide additional services out of the resource center.

Steve Scraggs, CEO of Maui Family YMCA emphasized the importance of this work. “Providing key resources and support to the community is the mission of this YMCA, and we are proud to move forward in this work.”

Bard Peterson, chief volunteer officer of the Maui Family YMCA added, “Our Board and organization have continually pivoted to meet community needs on Maui. The fires created urgency for us to rise to this challenge.”

Maui Family YMCA will host a “Community Conversation” in Lahaina on Tuesday Aug. 27 to receive feedback on the YMCA programs and services needed on the West Side. Contact Maui Family YMCAor visit mauiymca.org for more information or to RSVP for that event.

The West Maui YMCA Resource Center is made possible through philanthropic efforts of the Maui Family YMCA and a generous grant from the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation.