Max Holloway, the former UFC Featherweight Champion from Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi, launched the Max Holloway Foundation in 2025 to support underprivileged youth across the islands. According to UFC, he partnered with the organisation on a global merchandise fundraiser and charitable sweepstakes for HomeAid Hawaiʻi’s Maui Housing Initiative. The money supported Ka La‘i Ola, which UFC describes as Maui’s largest interim housing development for survivors of the August 2023 wildfires. More than 320 families, nearly 900 people, have already moved in. HomeAid Hawaiʻi’s chief executive said UFC’s donation totalled $1.2 million.
How Max Holloway’s foundation is helping rebuild Maui after the wildfires
According to the Max Holloway Foundation, Holloway has competed in the UFC since 2012 and is a former UFC Featherweight Champion. It describes him as known for his striking, durability and record-setting performances, and as representing Hawaiʻi on the global stage.Holloway remains closely connected to his roots in Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi. He uses his platform to support local initiatives, youth programmes and families in need. His focus is on creating opportunities for the next generation and helping young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose.
How has Holloway helped rebuild Maui through the Ka La‘i Ola housing project
UFC reported on 14 October 2025 that it had joined Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, HomeAid Hawaiʻi, state leaders, community partners and families to celebrate the completion of Ka La‘i Ola. UFC describes the site as Maui’s largest interim housing development for wildfire survivors. It says the 57-acre community is for people who lost their homes in the August 2023 Maui wildfires, and that more than 320 families, nearly 900 people, have already moved in.According to UFC, which serves as a corporate sponsor of HomeAid Hawaiʻi, it raised funds and awareness through a global merchandise fundraiser and a charitable sweepstakes. UFC states these were run in partnership with Holloway, whom it describes as a Hawaiʻi native and UFC BMF champion. Governor Green thanked Dana White, UFC and Holloway for contributions to HomeAid Hawaiʻi’s Maui Housing Initiative, according to the page. HomeAid Hawaiʻi Chief Executive Officer Kimo Carvalho described the $1.2 million donation as coming from UFC and said the organisation was honoured to welcome Dana White, Lawrence Epstein and Holloway to the completion celebration.
How did Ka La‘i Ola provide interim housing for Maui wildfire survivors
Ka La‘i Ola was built for survivors who were not eligible for federal FEMA assistance, and Hawaiʻi is the first state to deliver interim housing for this population. The project reached substantial completion in less than 18 months, compared with the four to six years such developments typically take. It says families moved in just months after groundbreaking, helped by emergency proclamations that streamlined permitting. Governor Green is quoted as saying partners can build “not just housing, but hope.”The project was delivered by the state of Hawaiʻi and its Department of Human Services, working with nonprofit developer HomeAid Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, alongside many community organisations. It adds that was originally slated for eventual transfer to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, that this timeline has advanced by 17 years, and that DHHL will take full ownership of the land, infrastructure and homes by 2029. Ka La‘i Ola as Hawaiʻi’s largest modular housing community and the second largest in the nation.