A TIME TO GIVE, LOVE

Thanksgiving is a trademark for family time and giving thanks to those who have always been there for you. Thanksgiving is a time to give, love and share. It's a time to appreciate what you have (and don't have). I'm thankful for being raised by two loving parents who support me in everything I do, no questions asked. I thank my grandparents and aunty for taking care of me. Turn around at least once to someone who cares for you and say "Thank you, I love you."

FROM SORROW TO JOY

I give thanks for my children and their abilities and my grandchildren. I thank a 12-step program that started me on a path to reading and onto a better way of life, and the support we give each other — always parting with a hug. "Hugs are healing." Living by "There's enough for me and enough to share." My Mom said, "Just throw an extra potato in the pot." I'm thankful for living near friends I can identify with. All of this made possible through the years of pain and sorrow, joy and laughter, by the grace of God.

THANKFUL FOR THE FAMILY

Thanksgiving means love for the family and for God and for all the food and turkey that you can eat. Also, love one another and peace on Earth. I am thankful for my mom, sister and brothers and all the family I have. I love them all, and I'm thankful for being alive and healthy.

AN OLDER PERSPECTIVE

Compared to other major holidays — Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's, which focus on children and young adults — I think Thanksgiving is a holiday that may be most appreciated by parents and senior citizens. While life may not be all that we would have wished in terms of health, family and prosperity, we are able to look around us and see others who are less fortunate, making us truly thankful for what we have. This sense comes only with age.

FRIENDS ARE FOREVER

I would probably be lost in this world if I didn't have your love and support. Who knows where I would be today? We always share the stupid and funny moments. Having fun and doing random things are what we live for. Music is what we dance all night to. Every moment is most memorable. Until the time we all go off to college, I will take advantage of the time we have left together. To all my friends, I love you guys!

LET ME MAKE YOU LAUGH

There are an infinite number of things to be thankful for, year-round as well as at Thanksgiving. Of all these, though, the thing I cherish most is other people's laughter — the unconcerned, blissful outburst where all distress is wiped off their faces, all worries forgotten. It gives me pleasure to see the way that light seems to shine out from the laughing face. If I can make you laugh, I've done something worthwhile, I've done something useful, I've earned my place for the time being. Let me make you laugh!

FEEL-GOOD HOLIDAY

Thanksgiving is a time when everyone becomes a little bit happier. The day that you have a little more hop in your step, a little more room in your belly, and a little less to argue about — that is Thanksgiving. It is one of the few times of the year devoted to giving thanks and forgetting your troubles to find peace in the warmth of the kitchen, the laughter of friends and family, and the succulence of Thanksgiving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the feel-good holiday that ignites peace, hope, gratefulness, along with a full night's rest.

A PAINFUL CHALLENGE

There are many challenges in life — some are painful. I was reminded last month, however, of the other side of painful challenges — that of gratefulness. My father's aneurysm surgery yielded a great deal of gratefulness — even through his extended stay in the ICU on a ventilator. It was a challenge that bore witness to my family truly pulling together and being supportive of not only my father, but of my mother and each other. The experience brought to mind how much I have to be thankful for even through the challenges and the pain.

BLESSINGS FROM GOD

Mahalo ke Akua. Thank you for giving us life. Thank you for blessing us with good health, with a loving and understanding spouse, with caring and responsible children, with our mother, our spiritual leader, with supportive siblings and with genuine friends. Thank you for allowing us to live in this land of extraordinary beauty — give us the strength to nurture it. Thank you for creating our unique community of diversity, comprising the world's richest gene pool —give us the will to share our mana and to improve our lives in harmony.

A FAMILY TRADITION

Up at 4 a.m., boiling the turkey neck and innards for the broth for the stuffing. Once the innards are tender, the chopping begins. Pan-fry the vegetables and other ingredients. Mix everything together to make the stuffing. Stuff the turkey and roast for 4-6 hours. That's the way my late mother-in-law, Gladys Perry, did it, and since then I have carried on the family tradition. The aromatic smell of the turkey roasting in the oven rekindles family memories, past and present. But the best part of Thanksgiving is planning, shopping and preparing the entire feast on my own for my family!

MAKING A BETTER LIFE

Thinking of less fortunate people. Hoping and praying for peace in this world. Appreciating the beauty of Hawai'i. Noticing the little things in life that make a big difference. Keeping in heart the minute blessings. Singing a new song every day. Giving alms to others in need. Identifying talents to share. Volunteering time to help students. Inviting family, friends and foes to feast together. Nursing wounded spirits of others. Giving thanks every day.

MY NANAKULI HOME

The things that I am thankful for are family, house and parents. I have a family who loves and cares about me. I have a house that is warm and dry and protective. I am thankful for my parents because they love me and treat me in a loving way. So the reason I celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate the things that I am thankful for.

HEARTS FILLED WITH THANKS, HOMES FILLED WITH WARMTH

This Thanksgiving holiday, Hawai'i residents around the state, along with our fellow Americans across the country, will gather with family and friends to give thanks for all that we hold dear and enjoy.

In Hawai'i, we are especially blessed to be surrounded by the unparalleled beauty of the Islands, a vibrant economy that contributes to our rising quality of life, a diverse culture that welcomes friends from near and far, and the unmistakable aloha spirit that ties each of us to this special place we call home.

Thanksgiving in Hawai'i will be celebrated in many different ways — a family picnic on the beach, preparing kalua turkey in a backyard imu, a quick run to the store to get a jump on holiday shopping, watching football, or a traditional feast around the dinner table.

Many of our residents will be on the job this Thanksgiving Day serving others. We extend our appreciation to our first responders (police, sheriffs, firefighters, paramedics/emergency medical service personnel, hospital workers, lifeguards and civil defense workers) who ensure our health and safety; hotel, airline and restaurant employees who will give our visitors an island Thanksgiving to remember; and the many other dedicated workers who keep our state moving forward.

In what has become a valued part of our holiday tradition, hundreds of caring Hawai'i residents will volunteer their time and reach out to those who are less fortunate by serving meals to the homeless, the needy and the lonely. These selfless individuals represent the countless Hawai'i residents who generously lend a helping hand — not just today, but throughout the year — and touch the lives of our fellow residents and strengthen our communities.

This Thanksgiving we are also grateful for the recent homecoming of the first wave of Hawai'i National Guard and Reserve troops after an 18-month deployment to the Middle East. We are proud of their courage and grateful for their service to protect our freedom and spread peace and democracy throughout the world. But we cannot forget those who are still serving overseas and the daily sacrifices they and their families are making for our country.

From our 'ohana to yours, we wish all Hawai'i residents a Happy Thanksgiving. It is our hope that your hearts will be filled with thanks and your homes filled with the warmth and enjoyment of your loved ones.

Aloha e malama pono!

THANKSGIVING:

For the tears that wash away the hurt.

For the love that like a flower grows.

For the joy of a first look at a newborn.

For a smile from out of nowhere.

For precious water for always.

For pets who love us no matter what.

For our own bed in our own home.

For all who do what must be done however distasteful or dangerous to keep us.

And for all who have faith and dream of a peace that passes all understanding.

HELEN BEVERLY GIBBONS | HAWAI'I KAI

FOR THEIR BRAVE SACRIFICE, LET US GIVE THANKS

Today, on the 24th of November, I am thankful for those veterans who have made sacrifices for our country so we citizens of this great country can enjoy unprecedented freedom and democracy.

Two weeks ago, I participated in the 2005 Governor's Veterans Day Ceremony at the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe. Buried in this cemetery this year are not only an 89-year-old Army veteran who served during World War II, but also a 27-year-old Army soldier who died in Iraq this past January.

Those present heard the names of Frank Eng, who was my father, and Nainoa Hoe, the son of the master of ceremonies, Mr. Allen Hoe, read during a service in which patriotic music was played by the 111th Army Band and a dazzling array of flags were seen during the joint services color guard.

As Gov. Linda Lingle and Gen. Robert Lee placed a wreath in memory of all veterans, I fought to hold back the tears for those brave men and women who have served our armed forces since our country began.

Yes, let us give thanks for the living and the dead who honor us with their lives.