Eat at these South Sound restaurants this weekend to support Maui wildfire relief

The wildfires in Maui have struck a resonant chord with South Sound restaurants, food trucks and breweries with personal connections to the Hawaiian islands. Several have announced they will donate proceeds this weekend to relief aid organizations.

The owner of Flavorworks 808, Jay Agbayani, shared on his social media pages Thursday that Lahaina — the west Maui city, once the royal capital, that has been ravaged by flames — was his hometown. Already scheduled to serve at the Pierce County Fair, Aug. 10-13, the truck will have a donation box to support relief efforts.

In Edgewood, Acorn Brewing noted its recent collaboration with Hawaiian-owned Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max, which operates five restaurants around Puget Sound, including one at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and three food trucks. A portion of sales of every pint of Sam Choy’s Pale Ale sold at Acorn this weekend will benefit Hawaii Community Foundation, whose Maui Strong Fund raised $3 million in 24 hours, the organization shared Thursday afternoon.

Sam Choy’s locations will support that cause, donating 100% of proceeds from all sales of their house lumpia, Renton-based Licia’s Lumpia. You can also donate cash into boxes stationed at each restaurant.

In Lacey, Laura Alden, owner of Lava Bowlz food truck, said she will donate half of all sales on Aug. 11 to the Maui fund. She was born and raised in Oahu, she shared in a video on social media Friday morning, where most of her immediate family still lives.

“It’s actually been really difficult to talk about,” she said.

Here’s a rundown of restaurants and food trucks around Tacoma where you can help support relief efforts in Maui this weekend.

FLAVORWORKS 808

▪ Pacific Rim cuisine including shoyu chicken ragu, pulled pork tacos, lumpia and garlic fries with banana ketchup; facebook.com/Flavorworks808

▪ Pierce County Fair at Frontier Park, 21606 Meridian E., Graham; Aug. 11-13 starting at 10 a.m.

▪ Donation box at truck to support front-line aid.

SAM CHOY’S POKE TO THE MAX

▪ Hawaiian poke bowls, musubi, loco moco, lumpia, mochi and more; samchoyspoke.com

▪ 1716 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; 17165 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila; 5300 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle; 7705 168 Ave. NE, Redmond

▪ 100% of all Licia’s Lumpia sales donated to Hawaii Community Foundation, cash donations accepted

ACORN BREWING

▪ Brewery and whiskey bar with sandwiches and regular food trucks; acornbeer.com

▪ 2105-B Meridian Ave. E., Edgewood

▪ Portion of proceeds from all pints of Sam Choy’s Pale Ale donated to Hawaii Community Foundation, cash donations accepted

SABRINA’S STREET MELTS & MAUKA HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE

▪ Food truck known for its gooey grilled sandwiches and “crack-tots”; sabrinasstreetmelts.com

▪ Mobile shaved ice vendor based in Orting; facebook.com/maukahawaiianshaveice

▪ Aug. 12, 6-9 p.m. at Sumner Nights on Ryan, 1114 Main St.

▪ Portion of all sales from both businesses will be donated to support Maui front-line aid

LAVA BOWLZ

▪ Food truck with customizable acai bowls, smoothies and espresso; facebook.com/lavabowlz

▪ 5700 Lacey Blvd. SE, Lacey

▪ Half of all sales on Aug. 11 will be donated to Hawaii Community Foundation; cash donations accepted

This story was originally published August 11, 2023 at 11:47 AM.