A California family says a night at an upscale Maui resort turned violent when they were allegedly singled out in a racially charged attack, with relatives from teens to older adults caught in a chaotic poolside fight involving thrown chairs and physical assaults.
Maui police told INC News that officers were called to the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina at about 10 p.m. on July 17 following reports of a disorderly incident involving roughly 30 people. When police arrived, authorities said, between 10 and 15 people remained near the pool area, and several appeared to be injured.
Investigators said the early findings identified seven victims from California, ages 17 to 62, who reported that a large group of juveniles attacked multiple members of their family before running from the scene.
According to Maui police, one victim said the family had been near the pool when an unidentified male rushed toward them asking for help. Within moments, several juvenile males allegedly chased that person into the pool area, then began targeting other people nearby.
An aerial view of the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Kaanapali Alii Facebook)
“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 INC News.
Relatives told Hawaii News Now that before the confrontation escalated, the alleged attackers repeatedly threatened to “beat up the haole boys.”
Merriam-Webster defines “haole” as a Hawaiian word referring to a foreigner or someone who is not of Hawaiian descent.
Low-angle view of the waters off Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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 INC News 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.
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A Maui Police Department vehicle in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Maui Police Department Facebook)
In a statement to INC News, 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.
Visitors walk along the Kaanapali Beachwalk amid palm trees and landscaped grounds overlooking Kaanapali North Beach at the Outrigger Honua Kai Resort and Spa, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, July 11, 2026. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
“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.
