It’s easier to share aloha when it’s simple to do so — for example, making a charitable donation through a vending machine. One such “Giving Machine” was set up at Pearlridge Center over the holiday shopping season by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Givers could choose a type of aid (food, medical help, etc.) for someone in need, pay for it and move along.

“Donation vending machines” already have a foothold in Japan, where sales of, say, a machine’s soft drinks, go to charity. OK, so it’s not totally altruistic, but giving is good, however you do it.