The spirit of giving rang true in Hawaii this holiday season as the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign drew slightly more in donations than it did last year.
"People in Hawaii are generous. Even in tough times, they are trying to help people in need," said Maj. Edward Hill, commander of the Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division.
Approximately $833,000 was collected statewide through the red kettle drive this season, a small increase from last year’s $813,600.
More than 100 red kettles were set up across the state during the drive that started a week before Thanksgiving and ended on Christmas Eve.
The Salvation Army site in Kaneohe collected $65,000, a surge from last year’s donation of $42,000. In Hanapepe and Koloa on Kauai, volunteers collected $40,000, which surpassed last year’s $33,000.
Some communities experienced a drop in donations. On Maui, volunteers collected $130,000, down from $161,000 last year.
The Salvation Army will continue to collect donations through its online red kettle program, which ends Jan. 31. So far, this year’s online donations have exceeded those ineach of the past two years.
Hill said, "We’re pleased by people’s generosity and obviously very thankful for their support of the Salvation Army and more importantly, for people in need."
