Luxury resort melee leaves family demanding answers over alleged hate attack

A California family claims it was targeted in a racially motivated attack at a luxury Maui resort after a group allegedly threw chairs and beat relatives ranging from teenagers to the elderly during a chaotic poolside brawl.

Maui police confirmed to Fox News Digital that officers responded to the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina around 10 p.m. on July 17 for a disorderly incident involving approximately 30 people. Police said when officers arrived they found 10 to 15 people gathered near the pool, many with visible injuries.

Police confirmed that a preliminary investigation identified seven California victims, ages 17 to 62, who reported that a large group of teenagers attacked multiple members of their party before fleeing.

According to Maui police, a victim told investigators that he and his family were near the pool when an unknown male ran toward them for help. Moments later, several young males allegedly chased the individual into the area before turning their attention to others nearby.

FORMER PROSECUTOR WARNED THAT CITIES PREPARED FOR THE EVOLUTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, PUTTING THEIR PEOPLE AT FATAL RISK

“The group allegedly began throwing chairs and physically assaulting multiple people in the area, indiscriminately attacking individuals of all ages, including elderly family members who were shot during the incident,” Maui police told Fox News Digital.

family members he told Hawaii News Now The alleged attackers repeatedly threatened to “beat the haole children” before violence broke out.

Merriam-Webster defines “Haole” is a Hawaiian term used to describe a foreigner or person of non-Hawaiian descent.

A CRAZY FIGHT IN A NEW YORK PARKING LOT PUSHED A CRAZY SKATEBOARD ON HIS HEAD

Low angle view of the waters off Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

The family told the press that they wanted the attack investigated as a hate crime. Maui police did not classify the incident as a hate crime.

According to the family, one of the most seriously injured was a relative who was hit in the head with a chair while trying to protect family members and was seriously injured with 13 staples to the head.

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 while the investigation continued. The case is currently being classified as an assault/riot and detectives have interviewed the individuals involved as they continue to gather evidence.

SOCIALIST-LEADERED CALIFORNIA CITY CONFLICT OVER ISRAEL AND ANTISEMISM OFFERS A GLANCE INTO THE FUTURE OF THE LEFT

A Maui Police Department vehicle in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Maui Police Department Facebook)

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kaanapali Alii said the safety and well-being of its guests, residents and team members “remains our top priority” and that the resort’s security responded immediately after the violence broke out.

“Upon learning of the altercation, our security team immediately responded, contacted the Maui Police Department and emergency medical services, and remained on scene to assist until first responders arrived,” the resort said. he said. “We have provided surveillance footage and are fully cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.”

The facility also said it was conducting its own internal review of the incident.

Responding to the family’s allegations that they were targeted because of their race, the facility said it took allegations of racial bias seriously but cautioned against drawing conclusions before detectives completed the investigation.

“We take such allegations seriously,” the statement said. “At this time, the allegations regarding the cause or circumstances of the incident have not been proven and it would be inappropriate to speculate or jump to conclusions while the investigation is ongoing.”

The facility also acknowledged that staff received reports of threats, harassment and disruptive behavior from people involved before the violence broke out, but declined to discuss those complaints further due to the active criminal investigation.

Visitors walk along the Kaanapali Beach Trail 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 is an active criminal investigation, we cannot comment on specific security actions, witness statements, or other details that could compromise the investigative process,” the facility said.

The facility said it is 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 assisting law enforcement in any way possible,” the statement said.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Anyone with information or video regarding the incident is asked to contact the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 244-6425.