9th Annual "Rice For the Holidays" Distribution

Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA), distributed 25,000 pounds of rice throughout Maui County this November and December. 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 Lanai by adding a 5-pound bag of rice with the turkey. Since then the program has expanded to provide rice for food distributions on Maui and Molokai. In 2011, Hana was added to the distribution. The rice was distributed on Lanai and Molokai Saturday, November 18; and will be distributed in Hana on Saturday, December 2. Additionally, on Maui the rice is being distributed through “Feed My Sheep.”

Governor Ige attended the event on Lana’i and assisted with the turkey distribution to residents.

MHLA partners with many of its members to make this food distribution possible including COSTCO Wholesale, Young Brothers, and Island Movers.

“This annual food distribution would not be possible without the support of our members.” said Lisa Paulson, Executive Director for MHLA. “Maui’s visitor industry is a big believer in taking care of the community in which we all live.”

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.

L-R: Governor David Ige; Lisa Paulson, MHLA; Jim Coon, Trilogy

Molokai Rice Giveaway, picture of distribution at Moloka’i Veterans Center