Before Ben Zeigler-Namoa made a name for himself at the University of Hawaii and in the Cape Cod Baseball League, he was just a kid from Lahaina, Hawaii, with a dream.

Lahaina, a historic, tight-knit community located on Maui's northwest coast, holds a special place in Zeigler's heart, and has helped mold him into who he is today.

"Lahaina showed me the true meaning of community and what it means to work hard for one another," said Zeigler.

"Without my experiences there, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I'm forever grateful for the community of Lahaina."

In August of 2023, however, tragedy struck Zeigler's beloved community when the deadliest U.S. wildfires in over a century devastated West Maui, predominantly Lahaina. The disaster sparked a life-changing 72 hours for the Zeigler family, who although unable to be at one another's side, persevered.

While Ben was on the mainland competing in the Northwoods Baseball League, his mother, Kim, remained in Lahaina without any way of contacting her son, who she praises for his strength during what she calls a "life-changing time".

"Power and cell service were out on our side of the island, so there were about four days where we were without communication," Kim Zeigler said.

"It was a bit hair-raising for everyone, but he showed a lot of guts getting through that moment as well as he did."

Once travel to West Maui reopened, Ben, along with some of his teammates from the University of Hawaii, had the privilege of flying to the rebuilding community to provide support.

While Kim couldn't be any prouder of her son's continued devotion to his community during the especially rough times, it doesn't come as a surprise, as she knows that's just who he is.

"To watch your kid not just become a good person, but someone who gives back and serves as a role model to those around him is priceless. It's a dream as a parent," Kim Zeigler said.

"It's just in his DNA. He's a great competitor, but he'll always put team and community first."

To Ben, the countless hours of community outreach work have no burden, as he's dreamed of making an impact in his community long before arriving to the Cape League or becoming a Rainbow Warrior at the University of Hawaii.

Growing up, Ben recalls watching Rainbow Warrior games on TV and seeing student-athletes have the chance to represent Hawaii on its biggest stage, often thinking to himself, "That could be me one day."

After spending his freshman year at Yavapai College in Arizona, Ben knew he had an opportunity to make a longtime dream come true, and chose to return home to play the remainder of his collegiate career at the University of Hawaii.

"I looked at it and thought, I can really do something special," said Zeigler. "Going back home and making an impact on others is something I'd always dreamed of."

In his first season with the Rainbow Warriors, Zeigler debuted his walkup song, 'Lahaina Grown', which held great significance to him through his sophomore season, and even more so in his junior season following the fires.

"My first year at Hawaii I used it almost to calm me down, but my second year it served as a reminder that I have people to represent," said Zeigler.

"Whenever I hear it, I always think about them."

Now, coming up on a year removed from the tragedy, Ben isn't just representing his community on the biggest stage in Hawaii - his arrival in the Cape League gives him the opportunity to represent Lahaina on the biggest stage in college baseball.

Just a few days prior to the Cape Leagues All-Star game, Ben got a special text that spoke to the significant impact he's made on his community through years of hard work.

A little leaguer, whose team had just secured their spot in the San Bernadino tournament to represent the West Region, stood by Ben's locker and sent a message that brought Zeigler's journey full circle.

"I'm going to be like you one day," the message read.

From growing up in the small town of Lahaina and looking up to local athletes, to becoming a figure the youth of today can look to for inspiration, Zeigler's ongoing growth continues to make his community proud to call him "Lahaina grown".