Trees for Lahaina
Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club Launches Garden in Support of Lahaina reforestation
KAHULUI—Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club celebrated the opening of the Mana‘olana Garden with a blessing ceremony on Monday, a significant step in Lāhainā’s ongoing recovery and reforestation efforts. The grow hub, created in partnership with Treecovery, hosts 125 locally sourced fruit tree saplings that will be replanted in West Maui.
In remarks at the blessing ceremony, Bill Countryman, general manager at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, emphasized the resort’s commitment to continue assisting those who were impacted by the August 2023 wildfires.
“The Mana‘olana Garden symbolizes hope for a brighter future and our sustained commitment to recovery and ecological revitalization after last year’s devastating wildfires,” said Countrymen. “This initiative is not just about replacing the trees we lost last August, it’s also about supporting the ongoing healing process and nurturing hope for a brighter future in West Maui.”
Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club joins Royal Lahaina Resort as a Treecovery grow hub, which opened its own Mana‘olana Garden with 100 tree saplings in March 2024. In the coming months, Treecovery is establishing three additional hubs in Kā‘anapali at Hyatt Regency Maui, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali.
Duane Sparkman, Founder and President of Treecovery Hawai‘i, praised the Kā‘anapali resorts and area businesses for their partnership in replacing some of the estimated 25,000 trees on Maui that were damaged or lost in the wildfires.
“The early and enthusiastic backing from Kā‘anapali resorts like The Royal Lahaina and Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club has been instrumental in scaling our reforestation initiatives and the broader ecological renewal of Lāhainā,” he said.
Jay Ramos, a wildfire survivor who works at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club and has a mango tree in the garden, noted how the garden has brightened his outlook.
“Seeing these saplings brings me a tangible sense of hope and anticipation for the future,” Ramos said. “It’s a powerful reminder that growth and renewal are possible, even after immense loss.”