MAUI TOURISTS USE VACATION TIME VOLUNTEERING WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS

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For nearly four decades, Chris and Stephanie Jenson have been coming to West Maui to vacation. While on a month-long trip to the island, the couple from Idaho set aside some time to help in the rebuilding effort in the wake of the devastating fires there in August. After seeing a call for volunteers on social media, the couple stopped by Merriman's Hawaii Restaurant in Kapalua to help prepare meals to be delivered across the community.

The Jensons aren’t the only ones getting in on the volunteering effort. Dozens of vacationers have been showing up to Merriman’s to help out as they deliver over 1,000 meals a day to locals and workers helping the rebuilding efforts. Another volunteer, Lynn from Minnesota, says she felt compelled to help after seeing how much the community has suffered.

Also helping out were John and MJ Davey of Northern California, who felt it was their responsibility to pitch in and even brought donations with them from the mainland. "I think anytime there's a tragedy or a disaster, it's other people's obligation to come in and help out," shares John. They claim that helping out the community hasn’t taken anything away from their vacation, it’s actually made it even more special.

Source: KITV