Sentry, through its philanthropic arm The Sentry Insurance Foundation, started off the year with a $1 million donation dispersed among three Maui-based nonprofits: Maui United Way, Aloha Puʻu Kukui and Maui Food Bank, the nationwide insurance company announced Tuesday.
This comes months after the PGA Tour announced plans to cancel The Sentry tournament, its title sponsorship event, held at Kapalua Plantation Golf Course. The Sentry, held each year since 1999, was called off in 2026 due to drought conditions that left the course unplayable, Aloha State Daily reported in September 2025. At the time of the announcement, Kapalua Resort estimated that the tournament generates nearly $50 million for Maui’s economy annually.
“The relationships we’ve built in Maui continue to guide how we support this community in thoughtful and appropriate ways,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry Chairman and CEO, in a statement about the recent donation. “We admire the resilience of the Maui community but also recognize that needs remain high as rebuilding continues. We know these three organizations are well-equipped to help the community move forward — because we’ve watched their dedication up close for many years.”
Maui United Way was awarded $500,000 “to provide continued support to the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, launched in 2023 following the wildfires, to provide trauma- informed mental health services for children and families,” the company noted.
To date, the initiative has assisted more than 7,690 children and families through services such as counseling, stress management, cultural training and community events. As of November 2023, Sentry has contributed $2.5 million toward this effort.
“Through the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, we have seen firsthand how targeted, trauma-informed care can support our community’s healing and resilience,” said Maui United Way CEO Jeeyun Lee CEO in a statement. “This new funding will allow us to continue to reach more children and families while also strengthening and sustaining the local providers who serve them, helping prevent burnout, build skills and ensure a more resilient Maui County.”
Aloha Puʻu Kukui and Maui Food Bank received $250,000 each from Sentry.
Kainoa Pestana, conservation manager of Puʻu Kukui Watershed said in a statement that the donation allows the organization “to accelerate our work” of helping restore Native Hawaiian forests and ecosystems.
Maui Food Bank CEO Lisa Paulson said, “This gift will help us provide safe, nutritious food and hope to thousands of families across Maui who are at risk of going hungry."
Another significant donation following the news of The Sentry’s cancellation came in November 2025 from Tadashi Yanai, owner of Kapalua Golf, who donated $750,000 to 10 Maui nonprofits.
Despite losing The Sentry in 2026, Hawai‘i will still host the Sony Open, scheduled for Jan. 12-18, at Waialae Country Club to begin the PGA Tour season.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
