California family members claim they were attacked at luxury Maui resort during violent melee
A California family claims it was targeted in a racially motivated attack at a luxury Maui resort after a group allegedly hurled chairs and beat relatives ranging from teenagers to senior citizens during a chaotic poolside brawl.
Maui police confirmed to Fox News Digital that officers responded to the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina on July 17 around 10 p.m. for a disorderly incident involving approximately 30 people. Police said when officers arrived they found 10 to 15 people still gathered near the pool, several with visible injuries.
Police confirmed the preliminary investigation identified seven California victims between the ages of 17 and 62 who reported that a large group of juveniles assaulted multiple members of their party before fleeing.
According to Maui police, one victim told investigators he and his family were near the pool when an unknown male ran toward them asking for help. Moments later, several juvenile males allegedly chased the individual into the area before turning their attention to others nearby.
"The group allegedly began throwing chairs and physically assaulting numerous people in the area, indiscriminately attacking individuals of all ages, including elderly family members who were struck during the incident," Maui police told Fox News Digital.
Family members told Hawaii News Now the alleged attackers repeatedly threatened to "beat up the haole boys" before the violence erupted.
Merriam-Webster defines "haole" as a Hawaiian term used to describe a foreigner or person of non-Hawaiian descent.
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The family told the outlet it wants the assault investigated as a hate crime. Maui police have not classified the incident as a hate crime.
One of the most seriously injured victims was a relative who was struck in the head with a chair while trying to protect family members, suffering a severe head wound that required 13 staples, according to the family.
Police told Fox News Digital that the investigation led to the arrest of a 20-year-old Makawao man on suspicion of second-degree assault. He was later released as the investigation continues. The case is currently classified as an assault/riot, and detectives have interviewed those involved while continuing to gather evidence.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kaanapali Alii said the safety and well-being of its guests, residents and team members "remains our highest priority" and that resort security responded immediately after the violence broke out.
"Upon learning of the altercation, our security team responded promptly, contacted the Maui Police Department and emergency medical services, and remained on scene to assist until first responders arrived," the resort said. "We have provided surveillance footage and are cooperating fully with law enforcement as their investigation continues."
The resort said it is also conducting its own internal review of the incident.
Addressing the family’s allegation that they were targeted because of their race, the resort said it takes claims of racial bias seriously but cautioned against drawing conclusions before detectives complete their investigation.
"We take allegations of this nature seriously," the statement said. "At this time, allegations regarding motive or the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been substantiated, and it would be inappropriate to speculate or draw conclusions while the investigation remains ongoing."
The resort also acknowledged that staff received reports of threats, harassment and disruptive behavior involving individuals connected to the incident before the violence erupted, but declined to discuss those complaints further because of the active criminal investigation.
"Because this remains an active criminal investigation, we cannot comment on specific security actions, witness accounts or other details that could compromise the investigative process," the resort said.
The property said it remains committed to supporting investigators and those affected by the violence.
"Our focus remains on the well-being of our guests, residents and team members, and on assisting law enforcement in every way possible," the statement said.
Anyone with information or video related to the incident is asked to contact the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 244-6425.