T-shirt designs have been created to support the Olowalu Fire Station campaign.

WEST MAUI — The community effort to establish a Maui Fire Department substation in Olowalu is surging forward, with a fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23.

West Maui Improvement Foundation Inc. (WMIF) President Joseph Pluta explained that through a land donation of two acres in Olowalu and new cost-saving, modular-constructed fire station, “we are streaking toward our goal, which is to have a fire station in Olowalu in less than 12 months!”

The foundation is holding the Oct. 23 brunch event, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet, at the oceanfront, historic Olowalu Plantation House grounds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayor Michael Victorino, Maui Fire Department members and other first responders will be there, as well as many community supporters.

Seats are limited to 200, and nearly 50 percent have already been sold. VIP tickets are $175 each ($100 tax-deductible).

For tickets and information on the fire station campaign, visit https://linktr.ee/wmif.

Pluta noted, “The ‘Hana Hou’ community effort is underway to address sorely needed improved fire protection in the Olowalu area from notorious fires originating there far too often and closing down roadway access and destroying homes.”

“Hana Hou” (one more time) refers to the Napili Fire Station, which was established through a community grassroots effort by West Maui Taxpayers Association, a group affiliated with WMIF, in 1991.

Pluta continued: “A proposed substation in Olowalu solves this problem for all. It is intended to be a kick-start, temporary substation funded by the community and passed on to the county at no charge to them or the taxpayers. This is not meant to be the final and permanent fire station solution. The county’s long-term plans acknowledge a station is needed but may not be in the plans for many years. The Haiku Fire Station has been in the works since 2005! It’s still not under construction. We can’t afford to wait 20-plus years for protection for the existing 500-plus homes in the Olowalu area.

“Through the hard work and cooperation from the Maui Fire Department, West Maui Taxpayers Association (WMTA), Mahanalua Nui HOA Fire Committee, Olowalu Homes Inc., The County of Maui, and numerous other individuals and associations, we are proud to announce that progress is being made to make this a reality sooner than anyone ever thought.

“Time is of the essence, and we are launching our fundraising to achieve our mutual goals for improving our health and safety for our West Maui community. This is a win-win for everyone,” he concluded.