Deaf Santa signs with keiki at annual community event

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A annual event gives deaf and hard-of-hearing children across the islands the chance to tell Santa their wishes.

The islands’ only Deaf and signing Santa visited keiki on Tuesday morning at the Pearlridge Center for the 33rd year of the program.

About 150 kids shared their wish lists in American Sign Language with Santa, giving kids and their families the chance to experience something that the hearing community may take for granted.

The Deaf Santa event is the largest educational opportunity for Deaf students across Hawaii.

It also serves as a holiday reunion where Neighbor Island students, their educators, and their families can get together in one place.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing performers, made up of student groups and adults provided live entertainment.