Grand Wailea employees give to Lokahi

Christmas came early this year for five struggling Lokahi families. The Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa 'ohana played Santa this week to five Maui families facing financial hardship. "These particular families have been through such hard times and we all think in this day and age, it's been so hard for all of us .. But these guys are going through so much harder times and economic conditions," said Brian Lynx, from the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa. Through numerous creative fundraising efforts, hotel workers raised thousands of dollars that were used to purchase gifts and much needed household items. Angela, one of today's Lokahi recipients, feels blessed to have Lokahi's help. "We have a little xmas tree at home, a fake one but there's no gifts under it," said Angela, a Lokahi Recipient. Angela is a single mother of two small children ..ages 1 and 3. Last month, she moved out of the homeless shelter where she lived for two years. Angela works full-time and does not receive any government assistance. "Every check that I get, I have nothing in the end. It's really, really hard. I cry every night because I'm trying my best," said Angela. "The state can't help me with HUD or anything like that. They tell you, oh you have to qualify for..you know, you can't make over this and I was just making over a hundred dollars more than what they expect me to do ...And I'm like what do you want me to do..do you want me to quit my job? Go down to a lower paying job or do you guys want me to get more kids so I can qualify?" It's situations like these that makes Lokahi giving so important. For employees of the Grand Wailea, the joy of giving is Thanks enough.