In past years, the Salvation Army had used the Molokai ferry to carry the toys to the island. However, the boat stopped running in October after years of reportedly losing money and riders. Lt. Romelia Howard, the Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division Kahului corps officer, reached out to the Coast Guard for help.

“The crew really jumped at the opportunity to help out and make this happen,” said Petty Officer 1st Class John Murphy, executive petty officer at Station Maui. “Many of them haven’t been a part of something like this before. We’re pleased to partner with the Salvation Army on this and bring these gifts to Molokai.”

A crew from the Coast Guard Station Maui loaded a 45-foot motor lifeboat with toys to deliver to the island. Howard and her crew rode along with Coast Guard members.

The Coast Guard has been bringing holiday cheer and assisting with community needs throughout the country for more than 200 years, by bringing doctors and dentists to remote parts of the U.S. and its territories.

The Salvation Army’s Kahului division seeks to help over 600 families throughout Maui County.