In wake of the recent natural disaster caused by wildfires on Maui, Kiki Aranita, owner and founder of Poi Dog Sauces, who grew up on the island of O’ahu, is raising funds for those gravely impacted by the devastation, especially local restaurant and hospitality workers. By enlisting partners to host two benefit dinners, plus donating directly to those impacted via her own brand, Poi Dog Sauces, purveyors of Hawai’i at-home condiments, here are a few ways Philadelphians can donate to Maui wildfire resources.

Poi Dog Donation: From now through the end of August, Poi Dog will be donating 10% of all sauce proceeds to World Central Kitchen’s Maui Relief Fund. Available for nationwide shipping online, or on-premise at select retailers.

Poi Dog x Citrine: On Friday, September 22, Kiki Aranita, the renowned chef best known for her beloved Hawaiian restaurant-turned-sauce brand Poi Dog, joined by chef (and husband) Ari Miller, will serve a 5-course, Hawaiian-inspired ‘Maui Dinner’ at Citrine, the artisanal tablescape, flatware, and event curation company directed by Alex Cahanap.

$50 from each ticket sold will directly benefit Chef Hui, an O’ahu-based non-profit that connects chefs, food industry workers, and farmers with resources needed to fuel Hawaii’s agricultural and culinary scene. Admission to The Maui Dinner, which takes place at Citrine’s intimate dinner-party-style gathering space is $150/person, with $50 from each ticket donated to support those in distress on the island.

The Maui Dinner is one-night-only but offers two seatings with a capacity of 20 people each, held at 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm; with the five courses highlighting some of Aranita’s most beloved dishes inspired by her childhood and adolescence spent in Hawai’i, as well as a signature welcome cocktail, and live music. Ticket/RSVP here.

Poi Dog x Seaview: On Sunday, September 24, Kiki Aranita, the renowned chef best known for her beloved Hawaiian restaurant-turned-sauce brand Poi Dog, joined by chef (and husband) Ari Miller, will host a 5-course dinner at Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, the New Jersey Shore’s quintessential historic seaside resort located just outside of Atlantic City and an hour drive from Philadelphia. From 6 – 9 pm, guests will indulge in a Hawaiian-inspired dinner and welcome cocktail inside the Seaview Hotel’s sprawling dining room. Fifty tickets will be available, with all net proceeds donated directly to the Maui Food Bank.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED DONATION SITES:  

Maui Food Bank 
Chef Hui 
Hawaii Community Foundation
World Central Kitchen | Maui

Please donate or help in any way if you can!