KAPOLEI, Hawaii (Island News) -- Helping provide for those in need, Ko Olina Resort is celebrating 25 years of giving to West Oahu communities with its annual Thanksgiving Outreach event. Some of the final preparations for Thanksgiving 2024 took place Saturday at Ko Olina.

Trays of food being served to the needy throughout a large portion of Oahu, means it takes hundreds of volunteers to make it all happen. "This is a big effort that started months ago and brings together all the best of the community," said Ko Olina Resort General Manager Kenneth Williams. Ko Olina employees partner with local charitable organizations to give out 4,000 Thanksgiving meals.

Additionally, Leeward Community College Culinary Arts students volunteered their time, preparing over 2500 pounds of turkey. It's a massive show of fellowship that includes UPS volunteers delivering food to churches, boys and girls clubs and shelters, from Waianae to Waipahu.

Retired UPS driver Cameron Datanagan told Island News, "We are coming to the people, so they don't have to come to us - I belong to many organizations and different events, this one is very special to me, because I wear my (UPS) browns, we bleed brown, and it's a way of giving back to the community that's given us so much back."

"All these volunteers from the hotels, to delivery services, it's quite an effort and we do appreciate everyone's help," stated Williams. Organizers emphasize it's a reminder that true abundance comes from sharing with neighboring communities.

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