Yes, Jenny, Santa visits Hawaii too

Rainbow over the ocean, the kind reflecting the colors of Hawaii Santa loves

She looked up at me, her eyes with all the wonderment of a three-year-old's anticipation of Christmas and asked her Auntie Carol, “Does Santa travel to Hawaii for children just like me?” And now I'd like to share with you the answer that I gave.

“Yes, Jenny, Santa travels to Hawaii. He flies there on his Christmas sleigh like he goes everywhere, with his reindeer and his Rudolph to always lead the way.”

The snows of Mauna Kea on the Big Island is where Santa parks his sleigh. Then he takes the small one Hawaiians made so light it only needs one reindeer, only Rudolph, as Santa rides the skies above to every boy and girl.

Hawaii has no chimneys for Santa to come down. Instead he takes his heavy suit and leaves it with the sleigh. He wears a shirt with flowers while he makes his rounds, listening and waiting for the special time when he can leave his gifts.

Some of the gifts that Santa takes along with him are those we cannot see. Santa knows it is a time to think of Jesus and all that Christmas is.

Santa is that spirit of love that brings the island joy. The flowers on his glowing shirt are like the people in Hawaii, of every kind and hue. And that is what dear Santa really loves the best.

For the islands are a special place where every color lives, like the rainbows God created, the people He has made. And Santa brings his toys to children that he takes to others too, but often what he offers them are things they cannot see, the presents that are so much bigger than any toy might be. For it is love for everyone that makes the heavy sleigh fly high and far to folks of every land.

Yes, Jenny, Santa comes to Hawaii, a place that people everywhere may dream that they might go. But to be a part of that dream of Christmas is to take the gift of love that comes in Santa's sack and give it to others every day and everywhere it goes