Restauranteur David Paul Johnson and Women Helping Women’s Stacey Moniz toast their new alliance forming The Diva Club, which will meet Saturday, Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at David Paul’s Island Grill at 900 Front St. in Lahaina Center. All are welcome to join at the door for $15 annual fee. The benefit will feature pupus, entertainment and discounted cocktails.

WAILUKU — The second monthly Diva Club event to benefit Women Helping Women in Maui is set for Saturday, Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at David Paul’s Island Grill. 

The Diva Club is a new concept developed by executive chef and restaurant owner David Paul Johnson to help end domestic violence and assist its victims. 

The Diva Club is also a way to reach out to new customers to experience his fine dining restaurant and cuisine.

For $15 — with two-thirds benefiting Women Helping Women — “divas” and their friends and spouses can become yearlong members and enjoy monthly get-togethers with gourmet pupus, $5 glasses of champagne and other wines and cocktails. There also will be special entertainment each month.

“We are so energized with this new event to help fund our work,” said Stacey Moniz, Women Helping Women (WHW) executive director.

She said WHW has 40 members and is looking forward to enlisting many more this month.     

“Women Helping Women representatives will be at the door on the 16th selling new memberships.  Now that the holidays are over, we’re hoping to attract a good crowd to this elegant and delicious event.” 

Moniz reported that last month, the organization received a $200 contribution from someone who read about The Diva Club in the Lahaina News but couldn’t attend the inaugural event. 

“We are so grateful for all of the people who help us. We hope those who couldn’t come last month will join now,” she said.

After a ten-year absence from Maui, Chef Johnson opened his new restaurant on Front Street last May. David Paul is an award-winning chef with a national reputation. He has appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” and the “Great Chefs” series on the Discovery Channel. 

Women Helping Women operates a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children, advises and advocates for women seeking restraining orders, educates teens about negotiation and conflict resolution for resolving disagreements, and provides counseling. In addition to a shelter, the group runs Women Helping Women-West Maui and a program on Lanai.

The Diva Club is now on Facebook with 90 fans and counting (visit www.facebook.com/thedivaclub).

David Paul’s Island Grill is located at 900 Front St. in Lahaina Center; visit www.davidpaulsislandgrill.com for information.