From Island to Forever Home: How Cat Café Maui Is Changing Cat Welfare

NATIONWIDE - NOVEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) — Cat Café Maui is transforming cat welfare in Hawaii, offering a unique blend of adoption, community, and volunteer-driven programs to save lives.

In the heart of Maui’s Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, amidst the buzz of a major shopping center, there is an oasis of peace where people can sip coffee, engage in lighthearted conversation, and – most importantly – connect with adoptable cats. Cat Café Maui, the island's first and only cat café, is more than just a café; it is a lifeline for countless cats, a welcoming space where humans and felines come together to heal and thrive. This is a space where adoption isn’t just a goal; it’s a movement that is transforming the way the community views animal welfare. As Cat Café Maui nears 1,000 adoptions, their model is revolutionizing cat rescue on the island and beyond.

The Birth of a Mission

In 2022, Moriah Diamond, founder of Cat Café Maui, recognized a problem that many residents of Maui had been aware of for years, cat overpopulation. Maui’s feline population had been steadily growing, creating not just a challenge for local shelters but for the community as well. Diamond saw an opportunity to combine her love for cats with her passion for creating a place of connection. Inspired by similar establishments across the world, she opened Cat Café Maui with the vision of creating an environment where visitors could interact with adoptable cats in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

But Cat Café Maui’s mission was never limited to simply offering coffee and cat cuddles. Diamond’s vision was to create a platform that could actively address the overwhelming number of cats in need of homes. "Every cat that walks through our doors gets a second chance, some come from tough situations, but all leave with hope," says Diamond.

Photo credit: Moriah Diamond

The café quickly became a beloved local spot, where visitors could take a break from their busy lives and find solace in the company of the café’s feline residents. Yet, it also became much more than just a café. It became a beacon of hope for cats in need, offering a space where the local community and visitors alike could engage in animal rescue, adoption, and education.

A Bridge Between Islands and Mainland

What sets Cat Café Maui apart from other animal rescue initiatives is its innovative approach to finding forever homes for cats, even on the mainland. In addition to fostering and adopting cats locally, Cat Café Maui has implemented the Fly Hawaii Cats program, a volunteer escort initiative that partners with travelers to fly cats from Maui to the mainland for adoption.

This unique program has seen significant success, with nearly 200 off island adoptions in three years. The program is a testament to the café's belief that rescue doesn't stop at the island’s shores. "With the help of travelers, volunteers, and our community, we’re turning flights into lifelines," Diamond explains. The initiative provides much-needed support to mainland shelters, helping alleviate the pressure on local resources while ensuring that more cats have the opportunity to find their forever homes.

What makes the Fly Hawaii Cats program even more special is its partnership with other rescue organizations. Cats that are not only adopted by individuals but also transported to other rescue groups and shelters, helping to redistribute the animals in need to communities across the country. As a result, Cat Café Maui has become an essential link in a national network of rescues, operating as a conduit for love, compassion, and care.

Creating a Global Movement of Compassion

Photo credit: Moriah Diamond

Cat Café Maui’s influence extends beyond the confines of its cozy café walls. Through partnerships with Maui Humane Society and collaborations with local families, volunteers, and global tourists, Cat Café Maui is a shining example of how community collaboration can truly save lives. In addition to the café's direct adoption and rescue efforts, the team actively engages in community education, raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering to help curb the island’s cat overpopulation problem.

The café’s influence on the local community is undeniable. It has become a safe space for individuals and families to bond over a shared love for cats. Many visitors from around the world have experienced emotional healing and comfort in the café’s warm and inviting environment. "We’re more than a café. We’re a movement of people who believe Maui’s cats deserve love, dignity, and a forever home," says Diamond. This sense of community and compassion has resonated deeply with visitors and locals alike, building an ever-growing network of supporters who are helping make the café’s mission a reality.

Supporting the Maui Cat Rescue

In addition to its café and adoption efforts, Cat Café Maui is proud to support the Maui Cat Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of Maui’s cat population. The rescue accepts donations that go directly toward the care, medical treatment, and adoption of the cats. Those wishing to contribute can support the rescue’s mission, helping provide a second chance to cats in need. Your donations ensure that Cat Café Maui can continue its vital work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming cats, both locally and on the mainland.

Awards and Recognition

The café’s success has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Cat Café Maui was named one of the '10 Best Cat Cafés' by USA Today, and in 2024, it earned a prestigious spot on Trip Advisor's list of top-rated attractions worldwide. These accolades reflect the café's profound impact, not only on Maui but also on the global animal welfare community. With nearly 1,000 adoptions expected by the end of the year, Cat Café Maui continues to set a high standard for animal rescue and adoption programs worldwide.

Cat Café Maui is a shining example of how innovation, compassion, and community can come together to create lasting change. Whether you’re in Maui or across the globe, you can support the café's mission by visiting their space, spreading the word, or even volunteering with the Fly Hawaii Cats program. Every cat deserves a second chance at a loving home, and with your help, we can make sure that every cat that walks through the café’s doors is one step closer to finding their forever family. Join the movement today and experience the aloha spirit of rescue.

For more information, visit Cat Café Maui’s website, Instagram, Facebook, and Fly Hawaii Cats. You can also explore the community through their TripAdvisor reviews.