Maui’s own Santa and Mrs. Claus are a common sight throughout the holiday season despite the islands being over 4,700 miles away from the North Pole. “As we get older,” Santa said, “the warmer tropical weather during the blustery cold North Pole winters is much better for our health.” The festive couple explained that although their work continues all through the year on Maui, December is of course their busiest month.   

Since moving to Hawaiʻi in the late 1990s, Maui’s Santa and Mrs. Claus have found the right opportunities to continue volunteering all year round. Mrs. Claus always brings Christmas cheer by cookie baking, holiday decorating, and even volunteering as a reindeer or elf for children’s events. She has contributed to the Maui community for decades, volunteering her time through activities like assisting the Maui Food Bank with distribution drives at Maria Lanakila Church, organizing food drives, and reading to children in the Read Aloud America school programs. 

Santa explained, “In collaboration with the Hansen family’s Annual Toy Drive, we made our first appearance together benefitting the Friends of Children’s Justice Center. Additionally, we make appearances in the Kahului Library, the Kihei Library, the Maui Police Department’s Annual Children’s Holiday party, Hale Makua, and other places in the community.”  

Always appearing in authentic vintage Christmas outfits, the couple shared, “we donate to the Maui Food Bank, have lunch at Zippy’s, fill gas at Costco, pick up Christmas cards at Target, shop for candy canes at Walmart, and visit local coffee shops. It takes people by surprise to see us out in the general public, not hired by the store, and not asking for money. We are simply humbled to have a moment with community members.” 

They concluded, “The magic we bring during Christmas ignites the spark in imagination long after the holiday is over. It’s these moments of family and togetherness, smiles and laughter, that always live deep in our hearts.”