KIHEI — Everyone deserves some holiday cheer and compassion on Christmas Day. 

That’s part of nonprofit Hale Kau Kau’s motto as they served their annual holiday meal to around 150 families and individuals in Stawasz Hall at St. Theresa Church on Sunday. 

“I feel really blessed to be able to serve people. It’s very fulfilling work for me,” said Shawn Wallen, who volunteered at Christmas meal days in the past before becoming the program director. “We serve every day of the year, but Christmas and Thanksgiving are our two biggest meals; just reaching out to anyone who needs a meal and they’re welcome to come and eat.” 

The generosity was evident as visitors were greeted at the doorway; given gift bags filled with chocolates, snacks and toiletries; and served a hot lunch that included choices of seafood pasta, ham, mashed potatoes, salad, fruit and an assortment of desserts. 

“It’s awesome, so much fun,” Lahaina resident Michael Damato said while passing out Caesar salads. “Everyone is so nice and it’s just great to be here.”

This was Damato’s first time volunteering with Hale Kau Kau during the holidays, and he felt like it was the “perfect thing to do today.”

Before the two-hour event started at noon, volunteers prepared and delivered meals to 70 homebound Kihei residents, Wallen said.

Midday, the dining hall of guests broke out into song and then Santa Claus entered the building to pass out wrapped toys for keiki. 

Mary Trotto, secretary and fundraising chairwoman, said that this may have been the most people that joined the lunch event since 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The annual event “really brings the community together.” 

“It’s not just one group we’re focusing on — it’s anyone who needs a meal,” Trotto said. “We decorate the hall so that it’s very festive; we serve the people and make them feel special. That’s our goal here, is to make them feel special and feel important, no matter their situation. When they come in on Christmas, they’re going to get a nice, hot meal and they’ll sit together with the community.” 

There were about 60 volunteers from far and wide, too, including Tatum Bedard, who flew to the Valley Isle with her family from Canada on Christmas Eve and decided to do “service in some way.” 

Bedard was joined by her sister and mom, who helped her pass out coffee and apple cider, and her dad, who was in the kitchen making food. 

They had researched organizations before their trip and thought Hale Kau Kau would be a good event to volunteer at on Christmas Day, Bedard said. 

“We always try to give back,” she said. “It’s just an awesome feeling.”

Hale Kau Kau has been feeding the hungry since 1991, having served more than 1.5 million meals, according to the nonprofit. 

The daily meal service is available from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at St. Theresa Church. Volunteers also deliver hot meals to Kihei residents in need who cannot make it to the dining hall in person. 

For more information, call (808) 875-8754.

* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com.