Maui Volunteer Expo Spreads the Word to Lend a Hand

By Wendy Osher

(Left to Right): Ronald “Skeeter” Stebbins,, Kristelle Turalva-Albano, Abigail Hoke, Wendy Stebbins. Photo by: Lois Buesquera.

Hundreds of people attended the 5th Annual Volunteer Expo held over the weekend at the Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului.

The event featured 25 exhibitor booths in which service providers offered information on volunteer opportunities in Maui County.

Mayor Alan Arakawa also proclaimed October 29, as Volunteer Day in Maui County.

In addition to information provided at the event, a contest was also held focusing on the theme, “I Believe in Volunteerism.”

The grand prize winners of a one-night ocean view stay at the Grand Wailea Resort was Kristelle Turalva-Albano, of Lahaina; and a road bike donated by the Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition went to Abigail Hoke, of Kula.

Participating non-profits included: Aging with Aloha; American Heart Association; American Red Cross; Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Community Work Day; Friends of Haleakala National Park; Habitat for Humanity; HandsOn Maui; Imua Family Services; Kaunoa Assisted Transportation and Meals on Wheels Program; Kaunoa RSVP Program; Keiki Kokua; Maui Adult Day Care; Maui Humane Society; Maui Nui Botanical Garden; MEO – Americorp; MEO – Ka Wili Pu Program; Na Hoaloha – Neighbor Helping Neighbor; Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc.; Rotary Clubs of Maui, Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition, Maui County, Maui Civil Defense Agency, CERT and The Maui Farm.