Alano Club in Lahaina

In 1988 a new AA member wanted to know how to have some fun without drinking. After asking some questions the answers came from others who had gotten sober in the mainland. Alano Clubs was the answer, which was a business renting space for many local meetings and sponsored great sober events. The new member then started asking some of the seasoned folks, if an Alano Club could be supported by the Maui sober population.
The first week of January 1989 brought 12 people together to discuss forming an Alano Club in Lahaina. At that meeting people that could, donated money to a seed fund. We also decided that if no rental space suitable to house our new club was secured by St. Patrick’s Day (Mar 17) then we would dissolve our efforts. During the meeting some committees were formed to find By-Laws from other like private membership clubs and to seek rental space. Everyone at the meeting came alive and a west side club buzz began.
Through the month of January and February we met weekly to report on progress’ made. Toward the end of February it looked that maybe God didn’t think it was time yet for a club in Lahaina, as no rental space was found. It was then March 1st and a property on the corner of Luakini and Dickenson Streets became available. It was a 3 bedroom 1 bath house that was the residence of known drug users. Upon close of the first week of March we the 12 signed a rental agreement.
There were a few changes made to the house, like removing one bedroom wall to make the meeting room. We also added an enlarged kitchen counter to serve as a coffee bar and later a serving space for meals. After combined efforts from the skilled labor folks in the group of 12 we approached our targeted opening of April Fool’s day of 1989. One of the members in Lahaina knew Gene Duffy of Duffy’s in Calistoga, CA. He was invited to speak at the Grand Opening that took place at the Community Center. The whole island of Maui was invited to join us in the blessing and opening festivities.
After two years the Luakini and Dickenson location was sold for progress and we needed to find a new home.