Ko Olina, O‘ahu–November 19, 2024–Ko Olina Resort employees will partner with neighboring charitable organizations to distribute 4,000 Thanksgiving meals complete with turkey, stuffing, gravy, pie, and more to 25 churches and veterans organizations on Saturday, November 23, 2024 as the program celebrates 25 years of giving to the community.

Ko Olina’s annual tradition began in 1999 with 1,000 meals and a handful of partners, growing to 4,000 meals and over 100 volunteers and supporters who give of their time to prepare meals and serve the community each year.

“Ko Olina Resort’s Thanksgiving Outreach is a reminder that true abundance comes from sharing with our neighboring communities,” said Sweetie Nelson, director of destination marketing for Ko Olina Resort. “We’re so fortunate to be celebrating 25 years of giving, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see how this tradition has brought people together over the years. The spirit of aloha and giving back is at the heart of our resort’s mission, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of so many.”

Employees from Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Beach Villas at Ko Olina, and Ko Olina Marina will come together to prepare and distribute the hot holiday meals. 

Community-focused organizations UPS and Leeward Community College (LCC) have also supported Ko Olina’s Thanksgiving Outreach tradition for 25 years.  LCCʻs culinary arts students volunteer their time to prepare more than 2,700 pounds of turkey and UPS drivers will be contributing their time off the clock to deliver 450 trays of food to 25 locations, from Waiʻanae to Waipahu, including:

Waiʻanae/Mākaha

• Boys & Girls Club Waiʻanae

• Hale Wai Vista

• Kahi Kolu

• Waiʻanae Boat Harbor & Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae

• Kauhale Kamaile

• ʻOhana Ola

• U.S. Vets Paiʻolu Kaiʻaulu Transitional Housing

• Sewers Beach Park/Middle Park/Pokaʻi Bay

• The Dairy/Cedar Homes

• Waiʻanae Assembly of God Mākaha

Ma‘ili

• Ma‘ili Church of God

• Maʻili Bridge/Community Park 

Nānākuli

• Boys & Girls Club Nānākuli

• City of Joy

• Leeward beaches from Tracks to Black Rocks

Kapolei

• Hale Moena

• Kumuhonua Transitional Shelter

• Seagull School Kapolei

• U.S. Vets of Kalaeloa

ʻEwa

• Boys & Girls Club Hale Pono ʻEwa Beach Clubhouse

• Calvary Chapel ʻEwa

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

• West Loch Elderly Village

Waipahu

• Lighthouse Outreach Center

• Waipahu United Church of Christ

Ko Olina Resortʻs annual Ko Olina Thanksgiving Outreach serves holiday meals to less fortunate and houseless families throughout the region. Ko Olina also supports numerous community events and organizations including Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Hale Kipa, Wai‘anae High School’s Searider Productions and Robotics programs, Nānākuli Performing Arts Center, Waiʻanae Coast Rotary Club, Ahupuaʻa O Nānākuli Homestead, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawai‘i and educational and hospitality job training programs for West O‘ahu students and adults.

About Ko Olina Resort

Ko Olina is a 642-acre resort community on the western shore of O‘ahu. Resort partners include Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Beach Villas at Ko Olina, Ko Olina Golf Club, Ko Olina Marina, and the Ko Olina Station and Ko Olina Center retail hub. The resort, known as O‘ahu’s premier vacation destination, also features four pristine oceanfront lagoons connected by 1 ½ miles of shoreline pathways, access to a diverse selection of ocean and outdoor activities, and the island’s best weather. For more information, visit https://koolina.com/