Showing Up for Community: Donor Spotlight on Ron Panzo
For Ron Panzo, owner of Nalu's South Shore Grill, giving back has always been rooted in community.
Before his involvement with Pacific Cancer Foundation, Ron had already spent years supporting keiki across Maui County through his work with Street Bikers United Hawai‘i. Through efforts like Toys for Tots and Tools for School, he has helped provide thousands of toys and hundreds of backpacks each year to children on Maui, Lāna‘i, and Moloka‘i. Over time, those grassroots efforts grew, shaped by the people around him and the needs he saw in the community. “You come up with an idea and say, ‘Let’s support the kids,’” Ron shared. “And people just show up.”
Ron’s connection to PCF began through Paddle for Life and his long standing relationship with Kimokeo Kapahulehua. What started as helping with food for paddlers eventually became a deeper commitment to supporting families facing cancer, particularly through the Children’s Fund.
“When you think about a child going through cancer, how scary that is, and not just for the child, but the whole family… that’s probably one of the scariest situations that a family has to go through.”
Supporting keiki through the Children’s Fund felt like a natural extension of the work he was already doing.
Much of Ron’s impact can be seen in the way he brings people together. From the annual Halloween haunted house to community events at Nalu’s, his work often begins with a simple intention and grows through the people who show up. After the Lahaina fires, that care took on an even deeper role. Just a few months later, community events created space for families to come together again, offering a sense of normalcy for children during a time of loss. “There was a sadness in the air,” he recalled. “But the kids needed to get kind of back to being normal again.” Families, volunteers, and local groups found their place, creating space for connection and healing.
Nalu’s first annual Cycle for Life, presented by Hawaiʻi Ford Motors
That same spirit was present this past weekend in the first annual Nalu’s Cycle for Life, where riders gathered in Kihei for a 20 mile ride to Makena and back, followed by a shared meal at Nalu’s. By the end of the morning, more than $20,000 had been raised to support local families facing cancer. But for Ron, the event itself is only one part of the story.
“It’s just what we do here. We’re all one big family. We take care of each other.”
Over the years, Ron’s support has also taken quieter forms. From delivering groceries to cancer patients during COVID, to helping provide meals and holiday support for families in need, his work often happens behind the scenes. “It means everything,” he said. “It’s part of being… it’s part of being a Mauian. We’re all one big family.”
Ron has also remained closely connected to Paddle for Life, supporting the event from its early days and helping to nourish paddlers and volunteers after their crossing between Maui and Lāna‘i. What began as a small effort has grown alongside the event itself. “It used to be 70 or 80 people,” he said. “Now we’re feeding 500.” What has stayed the same is the intention behind it. “To take care of people,” he said. “That’s really what it’s about.”
When asked what he would say to someone who wants to give back but does not know where to begin, Ron keeps it simple.
“Just show up. Get involved. You’ll be amazed. You better be careful because it’ll suck you right in.”
Ron’s impact on Pacific Cancer Foundation and the broader Maui community is not defined by any one event or contribution. It is reflected in years of steady involvement, a deep care for keiki and families, and a belief in the power of community to show up for one another.
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