Pukalani School receives a box of brand new slippers.

MAKAWAO — Maui Fire Department is joining the Maui Cookie Lady to collect slippers (flip-flops) for Maui schools during October and November.

Slippers can be dropped off at these Maui Fire Stations: Kahului (200 Dairy Road), Lahaina (1860 Honoapiilani Highway) and Wailea (300 Kilohana Drive). Additional drop-off locations include Anytime Fitness in Pukalani (24 Kiopaa St.), Wailuku (54 Maui Lani Parkway) and Lahaina (840 Wainee St.), and The Maui Cookie Lady store at 3643 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao.

Each year, as keiki head back to school, this community initiative collects flip-flops to distribute to Maui schools for keiki who break their “slippahs.” The goal is to provide a case of slippers to every school in Maui County.

Started in fall of 2019, the initiative was created by Mitzi Toro, founder of Maui Cookie and once a Department of Education school teacher herself.

Toro saw firsthand the need for slippers in schools: “Many people do not realize the need schools have for replacement of broken slippers. The reality is most are purchased by school staff. I vividly remember a day when an eighth grade boy walked into our school office, and all we had was a pair of pink slippers that were one size too small. The look of shame on his face affected me for a long time — it made my eyes water.”

All donations are appreciated, but bigger sizes in gender neutral colors are needed most. Even elementary schools need up to adult sizes as large as eight or ten.

Makawao School shared that the staff holds on to the “slippah” that is not broken in an effort to match more pairs when they run out.

“Our priority schools are Molokai Island, Lanai Island and Hana District. After we send to these schools, we rotate the schools on a list and ship out as they come in,” said Toro.

For information, visit https://themauicookielady.com/…/maui-school-slippah-solace.