MHLA Distributes Rice for the Holidays

Lāna‘i rice giveaway: (left to right) Lisa Paulson, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association; Albert Ranis Jr., Young Brothers; Jim Coon, Trilogy; Lynn DeCoite, Hawai‘i State Representative.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association distributed 25,000 pounds of rice throughout Maui County in November and December.

The annual Rice for the Holidays program began in 2008 when MHLA contributed rice to Trilogy Excursions CEO Jim Coon’s annual turkey giveaway Lāna‘i.

Since then, the program has expanded to provide rice for food distributions on Maui and Moloka‘i.

In 2011, Hāna was added to the distribution.

The rice was distributed on Lāna‘i Saturday, Nov. 21; Moloka‘i and Hāna on Saturday, Dec. 5.

On Maui the rice is being distributed through Feed My Sheep.

This year, Rep. Lynn DeCoite help with the food distribution on Lāna‘i.

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.”

MHLA 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.