News


NBC NEWS: Fearful of ‘Covid 2.0,’ Maui business owners say they welcome tourism
The wildfires have sparked tension between grieving residents who say now is not the time to travel to the island and those who rely on tourism to survive.
By Alicia Victoria Lozano. Photos by Josiah Patterson for NBC News.
Aug. 18, 2023, 10:00 AM HST — LAHAINA, Hawaii — Nearly two weeks after deadly wildfires burned much of west Maui to the ground and left more than 100 people dead, the island remains open for business, say workers and shop owners who rely on tourism to pay their bills. But their desire to keep visitors coming has sparked tensions with residents who say now is not the time to travel to the island.
“We’re really in pain, but I have no trouble with a customer coming in with a smile on their face,” said Panna Cappelli, whose art gallery on Front Street and the work of some 200 local artists were all but destroyed when the historic town of Lahaina was leveled.
Cappelli has three galleries on other parts of the island that were not affected by the fire, and said she cannot afford to pay her employees or donate to Lahaina residents if customers don’t continue shopping: “I need them to buy something.” …

INSIDER: A Maui restaurant owner is ‘praying visitors will start to come back soon’
By Jyoti Mann.
Aug 20, 2023, 5:19 AM HST — EXCERPTED FROM ORIGINAL ARTICLE — … Panna Cappelli, owner of the Maui Hands art galleries, added that it was “hard to be” in her Makawao store “greeting the few remaining tourists with a smile” when she wanted to cry after her Lahaina gallery burned down in one of the fires.
“One gets the feeling that trouble cannot find you out here, on a tiny speck in the ocean,” she said. “It did, in the perfect storm of intense wind and drought and we are horrified at the consequences. Everyone you speak to has a story of loss. Everyone you speak to has a story of heroism.”
She said tourists should still visit Maui but asked them to “be respectful,” saying she didn’t want people to take photos of where their homes and businesses once stood and make them talk about their pain and losses. …

KHON2: Hotel to homeless: Displaced Maui residents face uncertainty
By Bryce Moore.
Sep 26, 2023, 06:01 PM HST — HONOLULU (KHON2) — Lahaina residents who lost their homes have been staying in hotels, but where will they go next? Some property owners have opened up rentals and those who were displaced hope longer-term solutions materialize.
… Nearby residents are trying to step up for others. Panna Cappelli renovated her cottage in Kula and spent the last month painting, cleaning and furnishing.
“And I really would like to help somebody devastated by the fire as opposed to just renting it,” Cappelli said.
Cappelli is open to month-to-month tenants and said the cottage will be available indefinitely.
“I think people are so, so unsettled right now. I’m not asking anybody to commit anything,” Cappelli said. “This needs to evolve into permanent spaces.” …
Click here to read the full article and view the video segment on khon2.com.
Newsletter

June 2021
~Summa, Summa, Summa Time!~ "Front Row Seat" Print by Susie Anderson. For a good many of you, summertime is in full swing! Vacation details are being finalized, and thoughts of relaxation are starting to creep into your everyday. We often take for granted that the...

April 2021
~The Rainbow After The Storm~ "Bucket of Gold" Original by Mort Luby. Aloha! With Earth Day coming up on April 22, I thought we'd give you a little bit of insight about our commitment to the planet. If you've ever received a shipment from us, you may have noticed...

March 2021
~A Little Spring In Our Step~ "Keokea Cherry Blossoms" by Christine Halton ~ Click here to view this available work. Mahalo. Gracias. Xièxie. Merci. Dhanyavaad. Grazie. Arigatō. Khàawp-Khun. Spasibo. Šukran. Danke. Gamsahamnida. Asante. Salamat. However you say it,...

November 2020
~Thank You For Being A Friend~ Maui Plate by Sharon Ransford - Coming Online Soon! This month has flown by! After almost eight months of being closed, since opening in late October it has been very heartwarming to see artists, employees, and some of our clients again....

October 2020
15% discount ends October 15! Visit www.mauihands.com, email [email protected], or call the office at (808) 573-2021 to make that purchase ASAP! "What a long strange trip it's been..." NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! Maui island wall hanging in koa by Scott Green We...

July 2020
~Wish You Were Here~ Photo of Po'olenalena Beach, Maui, courtesy of artist Michael Sweet. We are living in interesting times... On March 19, all non-essential businesses in Hawai’i shut down. From then on, each of our experiences have been unique -- some bad, some...

March 2020
Newsletter: March 2020 on Maui! An original by Beba O'Brien Sea Glass Art by Beba O'Brien One of our new artist to the Maui Hands family - Beba O'Brien, creates original works of art made of sea glass and other materials found on Maui's beaches.Beba grew up in...

February 2020
Newsletter: February 2020 on Maui! A collection of original mixed media pieces by Baz Maui The Art of Baz Maui Baz Maui is a self-taught artist with over 20 years of experience. Originally from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines he was influenced by his father, a...

January 2020
Newsletter: January 2020 on Maui! Banana Leaves by Terry Taube "Paper has so much potential,you can make it into anything" - Terry Taube The cast paper sculptures of Hawaii artist Terry Taube breathe life. The detail is so complex, the texture, so vivid. His...

December 2019
Newsletter: December on Maui Ceramic Dog by Robin Fahey Cameron Happy Holidays! Just in time for the holiday season, Robin Fahey Cameron just restocked all four Maui Hands locations with her fun and creative ceramic pieces like this vacationing dog (above).Each dog is...

November 2019
Newsletter: November on Maui"A Vision to Gain - A" by Linda WhittemoreMonotype Monotype in printmaking is a technique that yields only one original impression from each prepared plate. They are prized and valuable for their textural qualities and uniqueness.The...

October 2019
Newsletter: October on Maui Opal JewelryTop: Cuff by Lucinda MoranMiddle: Earrings & Ring by Larry RiverBottom: Pendants by Patricia Van Wagoner Opals, Opals, OpalsWith Opals being one of October's birthstones - we thought it would be the perfect time to highlight...
Artists-In-Residence

June 2021 AIR Program
Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to meet some of the talented artists Maui Hands is fortunate to represent, as well as observe their artistic processes and just "talk story." We invite visitors and locals alike to learn more about...

May 2021 AIR Program
Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to meet some of the talented artists Maui Hands is fortunate to represent, as well as observe their artistic processes and just "talk story." We invite visitors and locals alike to learn more about...

April 2021 AIR Program
Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to meet some of the talented artists Maui Hands is fortunate to represent, as well as observe their artistic processes and just "talk story." We invite visitors and locals alike to learn more about...

March 2021 AIR Program
Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to meet some of the talented artists Maui Hands is fortunate to represent, as well as observe their artistic processes and just "talk story." We invite visitors and locals alike to learn more about...

February 2021 AIR Program
Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to meet some of the talented artists Maui Hands is fortunate to represent, as well as observe their artistic processes and just "talk story." We invite visitors and locals alike to learn more about...

March 2020 AIR Program
Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to meet some of the talented artists Maui Hands is fortunate to represent, as well as observe their artistic processes and just "talk story." We invite visitors and locals alike to learn more about...

February Artists in Residence
The art of our Artists in Residencetop left: Mort Luby // top right: Ariel Quirozmiddle left: Beth Hird // middle right: Marty Wolffmiddle left: John Ensign // middle right: Christine Haltonbottom left: Steve...

January Artist in Residence
The art of our Artists in Residencetop left: Pamela Street // top right: Stacy Vosbergmiddle left: Sandra Greenberg // middle right: Ariel Quirozmiddle left: John Ensign // bottom right: Christine Haltonbottom...

December Artists in Residence
The art of our Artists in Residencetop left: Beth Hird // top right: Stacy Vosbergmiddle left: Victoria Wundram // middle right: Amy Tessiermiddle left: Joyce Durbin // middle right: Christine...

November Artists in Residence
The art of our Artists in Residencetop left: Cecilia Chenault // top right: Amy Tessiermiddle left: Stacy Vosberg // middle right: Ariel Quirozbottom left: Steve Rinaldi // bottom right: Christine Haltonlast row: John...

October Artists in Residence
The art of our Artists in Residencetop left: Richard DiGiacomo // top right: Cecilia Chenaultmiddle left: Ariel Quiroz // middle right: Nikki Mossbottom left: Stacy Vosberg // bottom right: Amanda Scottlast row: John Ensign ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE FOR OCTOBER 2019We are...
September Artists in Residence
The art of our Artists in Residencetop left: Amanda Scott // top right: Stacy Vosbergmiddle left: Pandeia // middle right: Ariel Quirozbottom left: Christine Waara // bottom right: John EnsignARTISTS IN RESIDENCE FOR SEPTEMBER 2019 We are very lucky to represent the...