A California family says they were assaulted at the Kaanapali Alii resort in West Maui on July 17 after being called "haole boys," leaving several injured and one relative requiring 13 staples for a head wound. Police responded to reports of a disturbance involving roughly 30 people and found 10–15 people remaining at the scene. Seven visitors, ages 17 to 62, reported assaults and at least six needed medical treatment. Authorities have arrested and released a 20-year-old suspect while the investigation continues; officials have not yet classified the incident as a hate crime.
California Family Says They Were Targeted As 'Haole Boys' and Beaten at Luxury Maui Resort
A California family's vacation in Maui turned violent late on July 17 when they say they were singled out as "haole boys" and assaulted by a group near the pool at the Kaanapali Alii resort in West Maui. The family says the confrontation left several relatives injured, including one who required 13 staples to close a head wound.
The violent brawl broke out around 10 p.m. on Friday, July 17. Sam Paradis
What Happened
Police said officers were called to a disturbance involving roughly 30 people near the resort pool at about 10 p.m. By the time officers arrived, roughly 10 to 15 people remained at the scene, several with visible injuries. Seven visitors from California, ages 17 to 62, reported being assaulted; at least six victims sustained injuries serious enough to require medical treatment.
The violence was preceded by racial threats. Instagram/Keppmauisafeforall
Family members told reporters the violence began after verbal racial taunts. Joseph Headfield, a relative, said a woman he described as the group’s ringleader shouted, "We're going to beat up your boys tonight. We're going to beat up the haole boys." According to the family, the assault escalated quickly and some assailants used patio furniture as improvised weapons.
A luxury Maui resort.
"The kids were beating people with the chairs," Headfield told Hawaii News Now. One relative who tried to protect others was struck in the head and later required 13 staples.
Investigation and Official Responses
Police arrested a 20-year-old Makawao man on suspicion of assault; he was later released while detectives continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The Maui Police Department has not formally classified the incident as a hate crime and said the investigation is ongoing. MPD spokesperson Alana Pico told SFGATE the department is committed to a "thorough, fair and impartial investigation".
10 to 15 people remained at the scene.
The oceanfront Kaanapali Alii—which operates condominium-style rentals with average nightly rates around $831—said it is cooperating with investigators. Steven Rose, managing director for the CoralTree Residence Collection, said the company "takes incidents of this nature very seriously and is focused on supporting those impacted." Relatives also told reporters the resort incident followed an evening of escalating tensions, alleging a group of local youths had been harassing visitors earlier near Whalers Village.
The average cost to stay at Kaanapali Alii is approximately $831 per night.
The investigation remains active as authorities review witness statements, video, and other evidence to determine what led to the outbreak of violence and whether criminal charges, including potential hate-crime enhancements, are appropriate.
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