Lahaina Fire - Friends of Macario Pascual

Aloha,

My name is Evan Pascual, the youngest son of Macario Pascual. I started this campaign to gather support for my father who many of you may know as a lifelong artist, tennis player, and friend from Lahaina, Maui. He's a dedicated community volunteer in Lahaina, sharing his love for art and tennis through free art classes and coaching the youth at the Lahaina Tennis Club. All of this was done to give back to the community that gave him similar opportunities growing up - a community that has been devastated by the Lahaina fire.

In this tragedy, loss comes in many forms. We are so grateful that our family is safe and home intact. Unfortunately, my father's sole art dealer, The Village Galleries, was completely lost in the fire and a significant collection of his artwork along with it. The loss of the gallery and its inventory will impact our family's income. This campaign is a humble ask for those who have reached out to us with offers to support my father as we face a future of uncertainty in recovery.

Since a teen, my father helped tell the story of Lahaina's storied sugar cane era and its historic sites through his paintings. His artwork voiced the journey of many immigrant families like our own who came to Maui to work in the sugar cane fields and provide a new beginning for their families. Everyday people who did extraordinary things. These families would go on to raise generations of men and women who would help shape our town into the community we know and love. It is these families and many more who are facing insufferable losses from the Lahaina wildfire.

My father has been with The Village Galleries since 1976. It hosted over 39 solo exhibitions for my father and he made countless friends along the way. The gallery is the oldest in Hawai'i, founded in the mid-1970s. It was a home away from home and I cherish the memories of growing up in Lahaina, attending his shows, and meeting local families who relate to his work and those from afar who came to appreciate our community. It was a hub for artists, friends, family, and anyone who took an interest in learning about our town's incredible history.

His mother - my grandmother (pictured above) - survived the wildfire but lost her home and all possession in the process. Her home housed artwork of immeasurable sentimental value to our family, as well as art supplies needed for his business. We have been actively helping her through her loss and there is a gofundme campaign dedicated to her recovery.

This fundraiser is to help provide aid to my father through this transition and eventually restart his business. Funds will help replace lost artwork, material, frames, and other artist equipment. Irreplaceable photos dating back to the late 70's, all of which documented Lahaina's history and served as the source of inspiration and reference for my father's work, were destroyed. These funds will also help buffer the loss of income to continue paying bills, food, and other essential necessities as we navigate through these uncharted, trying times.

There are countless families in need of help, we are grateful for your consideration and support in any form. We hope to see you all soon and continue the legacy of Lahaina.

Evan Pascual