WMTA – WMIF COMMUNITY – OLOWALU FIRE STATION BREAKS GROUND ON 3-20-2026.
Aloha Dear friends of West Maui
Recently, on the morning of Friday, March 20th, the WMIF held a special VIP groundbreaking ceremony for the Olowalu Fire Station during the Kona Low storm. Once again, we experienced something miraculous. At 8:30 a.m. when the event started; the rain and wind stopped, and it became beautiful weather. After the awesome conch shell ceremony and pule by Pastor Laki Kaahumanu, the speeches made by Mayor Richard Bissen and MFD Fire Chief Bradford Ventura were spectacularly Inspirational.
The Mayor proclaimed Friday, March 20th, 2026, as “Olowalu Fire Station Groundbreaking day;” and read a special proclamation accordingly. The proclamation recognized the generous land donation to WMIF by Olowalu Homes Inc and Peter Martin for the future station at the site location that was selected by the fire chief in 2022.
We will never forget the weather becoming calm and peaceful for our event and the flock of Nene Geese flying in a V formation directly overhead during the speech made by MFD Fire Chief Ventura. A simply Awesome Blessing
Aloha Dear friends of West Maui
Recently, on the morning of Friday, March 20th, the WMIF held a special VIP groundbreaking ceremony for the Olowalu Fire Station during the Kona Low storm. Once again, we experienced something miraculous. At 8:30 a.m. when the event started; the rain and wind stopped, and it became beautiful weather. After the awesome conch shell ceremony and pule by Pastor Laki Kaahumanu, the speeches made by Mayor Richard Bissen and MFD Fire Chief Bradford Ventura were spectacularly Inspirational.
The Mayor proclaimed Friday, March 20th, 2026, as “Olowalu Fire Station Groundbreaking day;” and read a special proclamation accordingly. The proclamation recognized the generous land donation to WMIF by Olowalu Homes Inc and Peter Martin for the future station at the site location that was selected by the fire chief in 2022.
We will never forget the weather becoming calm and peaceful for our event and the flock of Nene Geese flying in a V formation directly overhead during the speech made by MFD Fire Chief Ventura. A simply Awesome Blessing
 Mayor Richard Bissen |  Fire Chief Bradford Ventura |
Statement by MFD Fire Chief Bradford Ventura:
“Today, we break ground on more than a building. We break ground on a promise—a promise of protection, of preparedness, and of partnership.”
“Together, we are building more than a fire station— A fire station is:
● A Pillar of Safety and Reliability:
● A Trusted Community Anchor
● A Hub for Education and Prevention
● A Symbol of Civic Pride and History
● A Second Home for First Responders”
“For years, the Olowalu area has faced a critical gap in emergency response coverage. When seconds matter most, distance can mean the difference between life and death. This new fire station will change that reality. Once completed, it will allow our firefighters to respond to emergencies in this region at least 15 minutes faster than from the nearest station in Lahaina. That is not just an improvement—that is lifesaving.”
“For years, the Olowalu area has faced a critical gap in emergency response coverage. When seconds matter most, distance can mean the difference between life and death. This new fire station will change that reality. Once completed, it will allow our firefighters to respond to emergencies in this region at least 15 minutes faster than from the nearest station in Lahaina. That is not just an improvement—that is lifesaving.”
“Adding a third fire station on the west side is not only a benefit to the community but also to the safety of our firefighters. We would like to thank WMIF for spearheading this project which will contribute to saving the lives of our residents and visitors.”
“This project would not be possible without the extraordinary dedication and generosity of so many. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the West Maui Improvement Foundation, which has been tirelessly fundraising for this station since October 2022. Your vision and perseverance have brought us to this moment.
“Today, we break ground on more than a building. We break ground on a promise—a promise of protection, of preparedness, and of partnership.”
“Together, we are building more than a fire station— A fire station is:
● A Pillar of Safety and Reliability:
● A Trusted Community Anchor
● A Hub for Education and Prevention
● A Symbol of Civic Pride and History
● A Second Home for First Responders”
“For years, the Olowalu area has faced a critical gap in emergency response coverage. When seconds matter most, distance can mean the difference between life and death. This new fire station will change that reality. Once completed, it will allow our firefighters to respond to emergencies in this region at least 15 minutes faster than from the nearest station in Lahaina. That is not just an improvement—that is lifesaving.”
“For years, the Olowalu area has faced a critical gap in emergency response coverage. When seconds matter most, distance can mean the difference between life and death. This new fire station will change that reality. Once completed, it will allow our firefighters to respond to emergencies in this region at least 15 minutes faster than from the nearest station in Lahaina. That is not just an improvement—that is lifesaving.”
“Adding a third fire station on the west side is not only a benefit to the community but also to the safety of our firefighters. We would like to thank WMIF for spearheading this project which will contribute to saving the lives of our residents and visitors.”
“This project would not be possible without the extraordinary dedication and generosity of so many. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the West Maui Improvement Foundation, which has been tirelessly fundraising for this station since October 2022. Your vision and perseverance have brought us to this moment.
Maty Cooper, WMTA ED Rick Nava, Alicia Koross, Krista DaSilva (Diane Lynn Family Foundation), Mayor Richard Bissen, WMIF & WMTA President Joe Pluta, Angela Fisher (Diane Lynn Family Foundation), Chief Brad Ventura and Tom English
We are also profoundly grateful to our major donors, including the Bezos Family Foundation, the Arrillaga Ohana, and the Dell Foundation. Your investment in this project is an investment in human life, in safety, in protecting our irreplaceable environment and in community resilience. And to our local supporters—individuals, families, and businesses—your commitment reflects the very spirit of aloha that defines Maui. This station belongs to all of you.
As we stand here today, we honor not only what we are building, why we are building it. We are creating a safer future for our keiki, our kupuna, and generations to come. On behalf of the Maui Fire Department, mahalo for your trust.”
Now is the time to satisfy this need to save lives. While it seems we have enough funds to move forward, new tariffs have increased our costs by over $211,000.00. Have you made a financial donation? Why not do that today! There simply is not any better way to help Lahaina than this! Please help. We urge everyone who wants to help Lahaina that this is the way!
See www.wmifinc.org
Malama Pono ame Mahalo,
Joseph Pluta
President
West Maui Improvement Foundation Inc. IRS 501-c-3 Charity
As we stand here today, we honor not only what we are building, why we are building it. We are creating a safer future for our keiki, our kupuna, and generations to come. On behalf of the Maui Fire Department, mahalo for your trust.”
Now is the time to satisfy this need to save lives. While it seems we have enough funds to move forward, new tariffs have increased our costs by over $211,000.00. Have you made a financial donation? Why not do that today! There simply is not any better way to help Lahaina than this! Please help. We urge everyone who wants to help Lahaina that this is the way!
See www.wmifinc.org
Malama Pono ame Mahalo,
Joseph Pluta
President
West Maui Improvement Foundation Inc. IRS 501-c-3 Charity
RSS Feed