Thanksgiving is one of the authentic American holidays, celebrating the resilient spirit, something admired by a nation that has endured great hardships.

The story of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans sitting down to a meal, celebrating survival against the odds, has persisted as historical backdrop, but the tradition continues. The turkey is still the centerpiece of Thanksgiving tables, which today in Hawaii also are laden with favorites from the islands’ myriad cuisines.

And the heart of the holiday — gratitude for what we have, sharing with those who have less — also is vividly present, along with inspirational stories of positive change.

Homelessness, for example, has been a scourge. It’s dispiriting that after so much time has passed, the official response seems defined by the community “sweeps” to clear campsites.

But that’s not all that’s happened. And at Thanksgiving, it’s time to acknowledge what is possible and what’s being achieved, in large ways and small.

Here’s a rather large example: There is the creation of community that soon will be underway at Kahauiki Village, the permanent community being built for the homeless on land near Sand Island, using prefabricated units once housing the survivors of Japan’s disastrous tsunami in 2011.

The contributions of business leaders, paying for construction and offering jobs to the residents, are immense and gratifying. But it is the new residents themselves who will build the community. Their mutual support will help provide the dignity and pride that can put lives back on track.

There are stories of hopefulness replacing homelessness, of the successes logged by the Housing First program, of changes for families who find respite and guidance in havens set up by the city, the state, nonprofits and the faith community.

All of these are large efforts combining the work of many, the food given to charity pantries, the meals served by volunteers. There is power in small gifts, creating a bit softness in a hard world.

Various strategies exist to coordinate the contributions of individuals to extend the helping hand a bit farther, and not all of them involve the government.

Family Promise of Hawaii (familypromisehawaii.org/donate) serves as one example of a community-based project leveraging donations of time and resources to help the homeless. The organization offers two family centers where the homeless can get help during the day, with partnering faith and community groups providing places to sleep at night.

The Institute for Human Services, one of the pioneers in homeless outreach, performs myriad services in which people can help in hopeful ways they might not have imagined. Donations can go to Welcome Home Baskets (ihshawaii.org/news/welcome-home-baskets) that provide a household with things they need once they’re housed again.

At this time of year, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser becomes a collector of such kindnesses, launching its Good Neighbor Fund (see box for information). More than 800 families will benefit from the outreach of their neighbors throughout the islands.

There are countless ways to participate. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has assembled links to volunteer opportunities (www.hud.gov/states/hawaii/homeless/volunteer).

Homelessness invariably leaves its victims and the community feeling defeated. But this is the season of hope. Oahu can be thankful for rich opportunities to fight back, and offer someone at least a brief respite. This is how the aloha begins.