Kailua twins turn Harry Potter display into six-figure Maui fundraiser

Hawaii News Now·Oct 22, 2026 · 3:52 PM CT

Readthrough summary

What began eight years ago as a small haunted house in a Kailua home has grown into a detailed wizarding world built over months by a local family and dozens of volunteers, Hawaii News Now reports.

Twin brothers Gavin and Logan Marotta-Cerwonka, both aspiring engineers, first built a Tunnel of Terror with friends to raise money for Hope Services Hawaii after seeing families hurt by the Puna lava flow. Their mother, Wendy Marotta, said that "kicked them off on this journey of helping others."

They have since donated to several nonprofits, including Shriners. Gavin said breaking his ankle in fourth grade, and seeing a Shriners ad, made the cause personal; reading Harry Potter while sitting out P.E. inspired the current theme. This year's display has become a six-figure fundraiser for Maui.

Summary written by Readthrough from the original article. The full story, with photos and any updates, is at Hawaii News Now.

Read the original at Hawaii News Now

More Hawaii

Honolulu Police Dept News·2h ago

HPD Arrests Kailua Suspect on Multiple Charges, Including Attempted Murder on Law Enforcement Officers

Honolulu police arrested a 43-year-old Kailua man on charges including first-degree attempted murder after he allegedly fired a long gun at officers responding to a domestic abuse call Tuesday night. The Specialized Services Division handled the barricade, and officers persuaded him to surrender.

University of Hawaii News·2h ago

UH Cancer Center expands cancer care statewide with $2.5M Helmsley grant

The UH Cancer Center received a $2.5 million Helmsley Charitable Trust grant to expand Ka ʻUmeke Lama, a statewide effort to bring cancer care, research and specialist training to neighbor island and rural patients. It will create Hawaiʻi's first medical oncology fellowship; a UH study found residents spent at least $230 million on out-of-state cancer care from 2021 to 2023.

Big Island Now·21m ago

Vulcan Challenge fundraising campaign enters final days at UH Hilo

UH Hilo's monthlong Vulcan Challenge fundraiser for its 12 NCAA Division II teams ends Friday, Oct. 23, with more than $46,000 in matching gifts still available. KTA Super Stores and the Taniguchi family are matching the first $25,000 in donations.

University of Hawaii News·21m ago

From trash to theatrical treasure: UH students bring Oz to life

UH Mānoa's Kennedy Theatre stages The Wizard of Oz Oct. 23–31 in a version set in a landfill-inspired world, with costumes and puppets built from trash. The Cowardly Lion's head is made from plastic water jugs, and Toto's skeleton from plastic pipes and bolts.