Protecting What Matters: Donor Spotlight on David McCord, Founder of Maui Vera

Maui Vera mineral sunscreen and after-sun care

For David McCord, founder of Maui Vera, a growing partnership with Pacific Cancer Foundation began through a shared commitment to care and community.

After more than two decades working in some of Maui’s top resort spas, David had access to some of the most sought-after skincare products in the world. But when it came to sun care, something felt missing.

“I never saw any organic sun care,” he shared. “All the spas still had the same products we all grew up with. I just kept thinking, there has to be something better.”

That question stayed with him. Years later, it became the foundation for Maui Vera.

What started with a simple aloe-based formula has grown into a line of mineral sunscreens and after-sun care products rooted in thoughtful ingredients and a desire to care for both people and place. From essential oils to uncoated zinc, David has taken a hands-on approach, studying each ingredient and how it works on the skin.

“It’s really about offering the cleanest, best products we can,” he said. “There’s so much education out there that people aren’t getting.”

Living in Hawai‘i has shaped that perspective in important ways. For David, the sun is a central part of daily life, something to be enjoyed with awareness and care. He emphasized the importance of understanding your limits and building simple habits, like reapplying sunscreen regularly, to better protect your skin over time.

That balance, between enjoying life and caring for your health, is something Pacific Cancer Foundation sees every day in the community it serves.

Maui Vera provided sunscreen and after-sun care for each participant at last year’s Paddle for Life

David’s connection to PCF grew through his support of Paddle for Life, where Maui Vera provided sunscreen and after-sun care for every participant, helping paddlers stay protected and cared for during their time on the water. He also recently featured PCF on the Maui Vera website, helping to extend awareness and support to individuals and families navigating cancer across Maui County.

“The idea was to help you guys as much and as often as I can,” he said. “Anything I can do, supporting you guys when you’re supporting the community.”

For PCF, partnerships like this are about more than sponsorship. They reflect a shared commitment to community, where local businesses and nonprofits work together to support the health and well-being of our islands.

From providing sun care for Paddle for Life to exploring opportunities for education and outreach, Maui Vera’s involvement is a meaningful example of how collaboration can take many forms.

As we recognize Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, we are grateful to partners like David and Maui Vera who are helping to bring greater awareness to skin health in ways that feel approachable, thoughtful, and rooted in care.

Together, we continue to build a community where no one has to face cancer alone.

To learn more about Maui Vera and their line of natural skin care products, visit mauivera.com.

Want to support PCF’s work in Maui County? Every donation helps us continue providing free support services to individuals and families facing cancer.