A local business is doing its part to help Maui residents get out from behind the 8 ball.
808Billiards is a Hilo pool hall, and it’s counting on its pockets — those of its 10 regulation tables — to help people who are still struggling after the Aug. 8 wildfires that killed at least 97 people and destroyed 2,000 buildings.
“We just don’t fathom something like that happening. It’s devastating,” said Alan Miyasato, an 808Billiards co-owner. “When this thing happened, it was such a tragedy that I thought, ‘We’ve got to do something.’”
On Monday, 808Billiards is holding a “Shoot for Maui” fundraiser. All proceeds from 808Billiards table fees will be donated via American Savings Bank to the Maui Strong Fund, administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation.
“The money goes directly to the guys on Maui. I didn’t want it to go … to the mainland and get filtered,” said Miyasato.
“I got approval from our other owners,” he said. “All the table fees for that day, 100%, are going to that relief fund.”
A business day that starts at 1 p.m. and which could extend into the early morning hours of Tuesday could result in a sizable donation to the ongoing Valley Isle relief effort.
“So many places close early nowadays. The shopping centers close; the restaurants close early,” Miyasato said. “We’re open until at least 11, midnight. We’ve been open as late as 3 o’clock in the morning, because if there’s enough players shooting, we don’t close.”
And forget the image of pool halls that’s lingered since the era of black-and-white movies as dark, stuffy, smoke-filled rooms with bare incandescent light bulbs illuminating the tables. 808Billiards — located at 18 Pohaku Street — bills itself as a fun, air-conditioned, well-lit family-friendly atmosphere with refreshments including ice cream, candy and chips.
“A lot of families come in with their kids to play. It’s really cool,” Miyasato said. “A lot of it is social. Yes, they shoot pool, but they’re having fun.”
And those who come in Monday to have fun — from families seeking recreation to serious pool players — also will be contributing to Maui’s recovery.
“Everyone that comes in, we’re going to take their name,” Miyasato said. “And we’ll make a huge poster thanking all the people who came in, take a lot of pictures of people while they’re shooting, make a big, big poster and put it up on the wall.”
Reservations are recommended for those coming in a large group. Call (808) 333-2327 for more information.
“I just kind of want to put this out as a challenge to other businesses. Come on, do something as a business to support them,” Miyasato said.
“They’re our brothers and sisters, and they need our help.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.