It is with great sadness that our beloved gallery Vintage European Posters was lost in the fire in Lahaina. VEP was a fixture in Lahaina for over 23 years with a strong mission to provide something special and unique to our customers who are like family and good friends to us. For our staff it was also our second home and second family. Thankfully we are all safe which is most important but unfortunately all of our staff, except for two of us, lost their homes and all their personal belongings. We are all out of a job and Maui will likely face an economic hit for some time. We have received an incredible outpouring of kind messages and requests to help. Our loss is only one of many from the fire and there are others who not only lost their livelihood but also family members. It is said that the fires are likely to be the largest natural disaster in the state’s history.
This GoFundMe was arranged by Andrea, VEP assistant manager, on behalf of our staff because I know they would never request it on their own because even in their time of loss they are thinking of how they can help others. In true aloha spirit we band together and help take care of one another and put others before ourself. I also know so many of you really want to help. Our road ahead to recovery won’t be easy. So with the utmost gratitude, we graciously accept any assistance. Our gallery now lives on amongst all of you in your homes and businesses with your treasured posters serving as a reminder of a special time in life when you visited our humble gallery and probably weren’t expecting to buy a poster of all things but fell in love with them. Many of you continued to return with every visit. We are so sorry for this loss. Thank you for your continued support, love and compassion. Funds will be distributed amongst the staff with the majority going towards those who lost everything.
From Alan, Trey, Kiko, Alex, Anna, Sarah, Rhyan and Andrea, aloha and mahalo.