Tomorrow evening (Dec. 3rd), the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua will be hosting a tree lighting ceremony and activites that is titled “Twinkle of Hope”.  It is an event that will benefit the keiki from Maui’s homeless resource center, Ka Hale A Ke Ola. As part of the ceremony, children from Ka Hale A Ke Ola will be selected to do the honors of flipping the switch to illuminate the tree and the entire courtyard.

I felt it was worth sharing because it illustrates one of the many of the good things that business and organizations do on a regular basis around the islands, not just during the holidays. Resorts like the Ritz-Carlton and others make a conscious effort to give back and support to the communities around them. They’re not just about the tourism industry and catering to their guests, and it’s another demonostration of the Aloha spirit in action.

So, the next time you’re thinking about something special to do in Maui, why not look for something that involves the community? Organizations like the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center are two of the many organizations out there always looking for volunteers and participation in special events that benefit the local groups. It’s not just about making a financial donation, it’s about getting involved and giving back to the community. Volunteering on vacation might not be something that pops into people’s mind when visiting the islands, but spending a few hours of your trip doing something for others is a small price to pay for all the magic and beauty that Maui offers you in return.

In addition to the goodwill highlighted in this article, I also found one of the last lines in the article quite amusing.

“Guests are advised to bring either a beach blanket or a small beach chair.”

Growing up in Chicago my entire life, I never thought I’d envision someone bringing a beach blanket or beach chair to a tree lighting ceremony.