LAHAINA, Hawaii — The legendary rock band the Doobie Bros. have released a new single — “Lahaina” — to help raise funds for Maui wildfire relief efforts.

What You Need To Know

  • The track, which is accompanied by a music video featuring video of the town before it was leveled by fire, is the band’s first original recording since their 2021 album "Liberte"

  • Proceeds from the writing of the song will go to fundraising efforts on behalf of the People’s Fund of Maui, the charitable organization founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Oprah Winfrey to provide direct financial assistance to more than 8,000 people affected by the deadly August wildfires

  • The band’s connection to Maui runs deep, particularly for founding guitarist and vocalist Pat Simmons, who has lived on the island for decades

  • The recording features appearances by Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and local music icon Henry Kapono

The track, which is accompanied by a music video featuring video of the town before it was leveled by fire, is the band’s first original recording since their 2021 album “Liberte.” 

Proceeds from the writing of the song will go to fundraising efforts on behalf of the People’s Fund of Maui, the charitable organization founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Oprah Winfrey to provide direct financial assistance to more than 8,000 people affected by the deadly August wildfires. The band is also donating $100,000 to the organization.

The band’s connection to Maui runs deep, particularly for founding guitarist and vocalist Pat Simmons, who has lived on the island for decades. 

“I’ve been a resident of Maui for 28 years now and I wanted to make a tribute to the place I’ve called home for so long and help bring awareness and donations for the recovery and relief efforts there,” Simmons said in a statement released on Friday. “This song is a look back at what Lahaina has meant to all of us. So many people have walked the streets of Lahaina and have felt that aloha spirit, and we hope that one day we will walk those streets again.”

Simmons co-wrote the song with bandmate Michael McDonald, who himself owns a residence in Lahaina, and longtime Doobies collaborator John Shanks. The recording features appearances by Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and local music icon Henry Kapono.

The opening lines evoke a sense of loss while also invoking its most famous landmark and symbol of resilience.

“A beautiful dream I’m trying to remember,” Simmons sings. “Underneath the banyan tree, our love will last forever.”

“As our people of Maui piece their lives and homes back together, we’re grateful to have the genuine support and beautiful music of The Doobie Brothers,” Johnson said. “A longtime resident of the island, Pat understands the Maui community and the tragic devastation its residents are bravely overcoming. ‘Lahaina’ is a song that both captures our aloha spirit and will help to make a real difference in the recovery.”

It’s not the first time Lahaina has received attention in popular music. Fifty years ago, Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina kicked off their Top 10 album “Full Sail” with an identically titled and much lighter ditty about the town where “the mangoes are sweet but the centipede he crawls all over your feet.”