Thanksgiving at Lanakila Pacific brings together longtime volunteers, new families, and hundreds of community members who deliver holiday meals to seniors across Oahu. For Christine and her family, the day honors both service and her late father’s example.
Christine began volunteering with Lanakila Meals on Wheels more than a decade ago. “I remember coming here as a teenager,” she said. “My dad first volunteered through work. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, and every year he made a point to give back.” After he passed away, Christine kept returning. Her husband, son, sister, and niece now join her each Thanksgiving. “Even my son, who is away for school on the mainland, flies home every year for this,” she shared.
The need she sees keeps her coming back. Many seniors who receive the holiday meal live alone, and the visit brings comfort and connection. “Delivering a hot meal and showing that someone cares means so much. You see it on their faces,” she said.
Christine’s experience as a caregiver shapes her perspective. “I cared for my dad for six years, so I understand how hard it is. I was fortunate to care for him, but what about other seniors who don’t have that support? Even for those who do, having a hot meal on a holiday is such a blessing.”
Behind the scenes, Lanakila Meals on Wheels staff plan for months. Turkeys roast through the night. Volunteers help pack and deliver hundreds of meals to homebound kupuna across the island. Staff describe Thanksgiving service as one of the most meaningful days of the year, a day when community spirit feels close and real.
For Christine, the hope is simple. “It’s our duty and an honor to serve and give back to our kupuna,” she said. “The biggest gift you can give your family is the value of service.”