13th Annual Rice for the Holidays Distribution

Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community

WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) distributed 16,800 pounds of rice throughout Maui County this November.

The annual “Rice for the Holidays” program began in 2009 when MHLA partnered with Jim Coon of Trilogy Excursions in their annual giveaway of turkeys to the residents of Lānaʻi. MHLA joined in by adding a 5-pound bag of rice to go with each turkey.

Since then, the program has expanded to provide rice for food distribution on Maui and Molokai. Rice was recently distributed on Maui through “Feed My Sheep.” On Molokai, rice was distributed Saturday, November 20.

MHLA partners with many of its members and other community associations to make this food distribution possible including Trilogy Excursion, Young Brothers, Lānaʻi City Service, Molokai Island Foundation, and Feed My Sheep.

“What started off as a kind gesture 28 years ago has become a family tradition. With our companies Trilogy Excursions and Lana’i City Service’s support and the ongoing partnership with Maui Hotel and Lodging and Young Brothers, we are so grateful that we’ve been able to provide a Turkey and bag of rice for each Lana’i family, especially during this ongoing pandemic.” – Jim Coon. CEO and co-owner of Coon Brothers

Mahalo to all our partners who, despite hard financial times, continue to give back to the community.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities and scholarships and gives back to the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625.

2021 Rice for the Holidayʻs Event on Lānaʻi - Jim Coon, Owner – Trilogy Excursion and Grandson Emmet