June 2026 – When 175 AAA employees from the Mountain West Group walked into a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on June 26, they were met with an unexpected sight: more than 100 large cardboard boxes spread across the room.
Within a few short hours, those boxes would be transformed into something far more meaningful.
The AAA employees traded beach chairs for bike tools as part of a community service and team-building project organized by Maui United Way. Working in teams and fueled by a little friendly competition, the volunteers assembled 102 brand-new bicycles destined for foster youth and fire-impacted families across Maui County.
The event brought together people from different departments, states and backgrounds, all focused on a common goal. As volunteers unpacked parts, attached wheels and tightened handlebars, rows of completed bicycles began to fill the ballroom.
The bicycles were purchased by AAA in partnership with Maui United Way and assembled with support from Krank Cycles, a Maui-based full-service bicycle shop that helped guide the effort and ensure every bike was ready for its new owner.
For many participants, the experience was about much more than building bicycles. It was an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of local children.
The completed bikes will be distributed through community partners serving foster youth and families across the islands, including Hāna Arts, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center and fire-impacted families. For many of these keiki, a bicycle represents more than transportation. It offers independence, adventure and the simple joy of childhood.
As the final bicycles rolled off the assembly line, Aaron “Moose” Reichert, owner of Krank Cycles, addressed the crowd and reflected on what had been accomplished.
“We started with a room full of boxes, cardboard boxes, and now look around,” Moose said. “All of these bicycles represent a room full of hope that we just built together – hope for the future.”
As a father and grandfather, Moose shared that supporting children holds special meaning for him, making the day’s effort especially rewarding.
His words captured what many volunteers were feeling as they looked around the room. What began as piles of parts and cardboard had become 102 bicycles and countless opportunities for local youth.
The project highlighted the power of corporate volunteerism and community partnerships to create meaningful change. It also demonstrated how companies can connect employees with opportunities to give back in ways that leave a lasting impact long after a conference or meeting ends.
For foster youth and children affected by the Lāhainā wildfires, the bicycles serve as a reminder that they are not alone. They are supported by a community that cares deeply about their future.
By the end of the afternoon, the ballroom looked nothing like it had just hours earlier. The boxes were gone. In their place stood 102 completed bicycles, each one carrying with it a simple but powerful message: your community believes in you. See how the community and bikes came together here.
