Welcome to Da Maui Sleigh a nonprofit base company on the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. Here is our story.................
The tradition began as a father and son project when James Presbitero saw a small sleigh pass by in his neighborhood and decided to build a sleigh which would no more than two pieces of ply-board, red pint, two strings of lights and a message reading Mele Kalikimaka! the lights on the side powered by a cigarette lighter. It started out as a small for family members, but each year progressed, changed designs, added a generator, and traveled wherever the family moved. For several years, the sleigh was home based at Presbitero’s father’s home in Kīhei. Three years ago, the family patriarch passed away, but wanted the tradition to be kept alive, and the sleigh returned to central Maui.
Da Maui Sleigh has no other mission than to enrich the Maui County communities by bringing people and neighbors together while providing education for children and assistance for the needy. Wilson (the little orange puppet guy) Hawaiian "Shaka" Santa and "Sandy" the Snow Man are some of the characters that are featured on the sleigh every year. When Santa Packs up after the Christmas Holidays....wellll...... What is there for Wilson to do? Well he explores the Island of Maui and see what he can find, learn, and do. Wilson being he landed on Maui a few years ago doesn't know anything about Maui, Hawaii. When he landed he met a local women called "Kiki". Wilson and Kiki just hit it off from the get go. She started teaching him simple things about Hawaii such as different foods, showing him places, going to business, learning the different cultures and many more. They record there learning experiences and sometimes they put on a "Live Show" on Da Maui Sleigh Facebook Page and there You Tube Page called Wilsonnfrenz. heres the link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWXTstQ2jz4D79C4y4Yx3Qg
“For me personally, I want Da Maui Sleigh and WilsonnFrenz to be known as a thing of happiness for the community,” said Presbitero who shied away from recognition. “For me its just a fun thing that the kids need … kids get to see Santa in a sleigh.” The sleigh was created completely from out of pocket expenses, and no profit is made. For those who are lucky to catch a glimpse of Da Maui Sleigh, they are reminded to park legally on the roadsides, refrain from blocking drive ways, and be courteous to neighbors.