FOCUS MAUI NUI

Front-Line Heroes!

May 6, 2020 | Community

The essential community workers that we see every day have become our lifelines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They are our heroes. Possibly those working in supermarkets and other large retail corporations are the only other people we might talk to in person all day or all week. Their jobs have grown to include smiling while politely assisting and defraying the island’s tensions. Now among the island’s most crucial personnel, retail workers as well as other everyday essential workers, are exposed to new dangers. For example, cleaning of stores and check-out stands has ramped up. Store hours have changed to protect workers and customers, including additional hours for seniors to shop, increased closure hours for deep cleaning each night, and more.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila

One supermarket store manager said, “In emergencies like this, we hear a lot about the first responders and those on the front lines. That’s important, and in this case doctors, nurses, firefighters, and everyone else working in that realm of healthcare deserve much honor. But what about the people working in the supermarkets, restaurants, and elsewhere — those handling the pandemonium — with our mad dash for most everything on the shelves?”

Upcountry resident Taryn Feliciano agreed, “From the cashiers, to the meat and fish department workers, and those stocking the shelves, they are all brave souls along with anybody else working in the public while most people stay at home. From replenishing supplies to answering questions, the calm that they exhibit every day in the supermarkets and other open establishments is reflected in the island shoppers, who on the whole remain pretty neighborly.”

Grocery workers, in particular, have also become the front- line during the health crisis─ interacting with potentially hundreds of people every day. They are risking infection every time they come within a few feet of a customer. Of all essential employees, along with the medical profession, the ones who bag groceries at the store, handle cash, give directions to needed products, and restock shelves all day long, are the ones with the most contact. These positions now assume increased risk for these service providers. Still, they remain steadfastly committed to the vital service they are providing to each of us.

Pay It Forward

Apr 8, 2020 | Community

Kyle Kawakami, Maui-born 2019 Chef of the Year, is continuously thinking of ways to help his Maui community. His philanthropy is endless. He is well known for placing an Aloha tip jar on the counter of his Maui Fresh Streatery Food Truck to help raise funds for those in need. Whether it is individuals or nonprofits, his gifts have totaled over $50,000. “The Pay it Forward program translates as Aloha Spirit,” Kawakami said. “We as a community need to come together during these times to support each other. Without compassion and caring for our kupuna, our neighbors, our friends, and our ohana we have nothing. It is what separates us from the rest of the world─ what makes us Hawaii.”

Kawakami is assisting the community in numerous ways. “First, we are using our location as a food hub to help local farmers and fish purveyors sell their harvests that are currently not moving,” he said. “Our first food hub was with Okoa Farms. They dropped off 20 boxes filled with a farmer’s choice of produce, which we sold for them, giving 100 percent of the proceeds back to the farm.”

Another community assistance program Kawakami implemented is Kokua Meals. Customers are able to make donations to purchase meals for families in need, children that normally receive free or subsidized lunches, socially isolated seniors, and others. “Today,” he said, “we had volunteers deliver 45 meals to those in the community, along with other donated food products such as fresh bread and sausage.”

Additionally, Kawakami changed his Maui Fresh Streatery service to address the current pandemic situation that we are in. “At this time, we have implemented a Zero Contact Service,” he explained. “Meals are cooked, packaged, and labeled. The zero contact comes upon pickup. Customers remain in their cars. When it is their turn to order we give an alcohol wipe to sanitize their hands and take payment. The food is placed on a table near the car for the customer to claim. Then, we sanitize the table for the next order. We will get through this together!”

Life in the Time of COVID-19

Apr 1, 2020 | Community

All of us at MEDB wish good health to everyone in our community in these difficult times. We would like to reinforce the new rules announced by the Mayor to keep residents safe and healthy during the fight against the spread of COVID-19, starting with staying at home and working from home except for essential activities and business, or government operations. Travel likewise should be minimized. We should all avoid any private or public gatherings outside the home, and wherever you are, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Announcing the restrictions effective March 25^th, Mayor Victorino announced, “Decisive action is needed to stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect our healthcare resources, our hospital beds, respirators and the health and safety of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. I humbly ask all of us to do our part to flatten the curve and come together as a community.”

Essential activities during this period include those essential to maintain health and safety (such as visiting a doctor or getting medicine), getting food or pet food and necessary home supplies, caring for a family member in another household or caring for the elderly, minors, dependents, those with disabilities or other vulnerable persons, performing essential business or government work, or taking part in solitary outdoor exercise (running, walking, hiking).

For more information, and for a list of government services and businesses that may remain open during this time, visit the County of Maui’s website at mauicounty.gov.

While the current restrictions are in place, MEDB will use this weekly space to keep our community updated in the coming weeks and highlight some of the positive and welcome initiatives that are taking place in our community as we pull together to meet the challenges facing all of us.

A Lei of Aloha

Mar 25, 2020 | Community

As we celebrate Women in History month across the nation, we are truly blessed that Lei’ohu Ryder continues to bring the spirit of aloha to Maui and to the world. A beacon of light in the community, Ryder’s music and albums have touched the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Her kuleana (responsibility), leadership, and honor for all beings is her global calling, and her talents and wisdom are loved everywhere she goes. She has received the Peace Educator Award from the United Nations, the Women of Honor Award from Women’s History Month, the Educator Award from the Peace Corps, and the Malama Ka’Aina Award from the Sierra Club.

“Aloha is everything!,” Ryder explained. “It is about living in the moment, grounding my heart in service, and helping wherever I can. I received my awards because I am passionate about peace. I designed a peace curriculum when I taught at ‘Iao Intermediate School, and recorded music with children based on DOE goals, all around harmony and tranquility. It was through being a peace advocate, blind to ideologies that separate us from experiencing the true nature of ourselves and others, that I was honored with the Gandhi-King Peace Award.”

Aloha in Action, a nonprofit started by Ryder and Maydeen Kuuipo ‘Iao, both known as spiritual leaders, visionaries, healers, singers/songwriters and educators, earned them the title of Emissaries of Aloha. “Aloha in Action translates to helping others,” Ryder explained. “Our concerts support Aloha in Action as well as donations from community members. Through the nonprofit, we have been able to build schools in Kenya, provide scholarships in India, and contribute to educational funds here in Hawai’i. Additionally, we are able to help individual people and families in need of food and supplies here on Maui. It is wonderful to go directly to the people with goodwill and lovingkindness. We cannot fix everything, but Aloha in Action is giving something, and every bit helps. We invite the world to join us. Let us create a lei of aloha together, string it along and find the treasure of love in the center.”

Hale Hō’ike’ike “House of Display”

Feb 26, 2020 | Community

The Bailey House Museum, one of Maui’s oldest surviving structures, now known as Hale Hō’ike’ike, is a jewel in the community. Located in historic Wailuku and operated by the Maui Historical Society, Hale Hō’ike’ike was dedicated as a museum on July 6^th, 1957 and placed on the National and Hawaii Registers of Historic Places in 1972. The site offers a major collection of Hawaiian artifacts. The Archival Resource Center includes over 10,000 historic photos as well as maps, manuscripts, genealogy records, historical documents and more than 2,000 Hawaiian objects.

Hale Hō’ike’ike Executive Director Naomi “Sissy” Lake-Farm, a Hawaiian cultural practitioner and Kumu Hula (master hula teacher) shifted the museum’s emphasis from strictly visitor admissions to community engagement. “I am enthusiastically celebrating my sixth year as executive director,” said Lake-Farm. “I feel a deep kuleana (responsibility) and connection to the history of the land and the museum’s mission. As caretakers of the land, we share the history and heritage of Maui through the artifacts, photographs, and documents that are entrusted to our care. It is essential that the cultural roots and history that define our community will continue to be there for future generations.”

Built as a mission house in 1833, Hale Hō’ike’ike’s location is the former royal compound of King Kahekili II, the last ruling chief of Maui. It was transformed into the Wailuku Female Seminary in 1837, and remained the home of missionary teacher and artist Edward Bailey and his family until 1888. Over the years, private donors, various organizations, and local families helped build the extraordinary collection. Today, the museum showcases Hawaiian culture and artifacts, as well as paintings and furnishings of nineteenth-century Maui, a museum gift shop, and the Chas Fisher Memorial Gardens including native and missionary-era flora and fauna.

Lake-Farm added, “I have an amazing and knowledgeable staff to help me. Together we offer numerous community activities such as guided tours, educational workshops, lecture series, and Hawaiian music concerts. On Saturday, February 29^th beginning at 5pm we have a Moonlight Mele at Hale Hō’ike’ike with Uncle George Kahumoku, UHMC Institute of Hawaiian Music, and Tarvin Makia.”

Acts of Love

Feb 12, 2020 | Community

Love is in the air! Assistance Dogs of Hawaii (ADH) is celebrating their 20^th anniversary — graduating over 100 service dogs to serve in the community — individually and in community outreach programs such as hospitals, courthouses, and child advocacy agencies across the state.

“We specialize in training service dogs for children and adults with limited mobility,” said Executive Director Mo Maurer. “We approach the matching process from both sides — client and dog — knowing the client’s expectations, then training the dog with additional tasks specifically for its human partner. The dogs learn over 90 commands and assist their partners by performing tasks such as opening doors, finding help when needed, and turning on and off lights. It has been amazing to see how the dogs really go above and beyond once they are placed with their partners—they seem to have a sixth sense about knowing what they need. Our upcoming ADH Annual Valentine’s Benefit Event on February 22nd makes this all possible plus placing Service Dogs with lifetime follow-up support.”

Over the years, ADH dogs have rescued their partners from drowning, as well as alert a family member during a life-threatening seizure. “Dogs are extremely intelligent and have so much untapped potential to help people in need,” Mauer explained. “We published the first study teaching dogs to detect life-threatening bacterial infections in humans. Their accuracy rate was incredible and shows this has the potential to save many lives. We have been invited to present these findings at an infectious disease conference in Europe later this year.”

Sharon Dahiquist, ADH Assistant Director said, “I feel so lucky to have a job that is so rewarding—to truly help make peoples’ lives better. Our service dogs have enhanced, extended, and in some cases saved the lives of their partners. When Hawaii resident Melanie Johnson was trapped in a house fire, her service dog ‘Freedom’ brought her the cordless phone, and later pulled open the door to let the firemen in”. Johnson exclaimed, “ I would not be alive today if it were not for Freedom. He is my hero!”

No One Fights Alone

Jan 15, 2020 | Community

Recently, the Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat (MCWR) for cancer survivors from Maui and Molokai was held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. Following the Hawaiian opening ceremony officiated by Rev. John Hau’oli Tomoso, the three days focused on the retreat theme, ‘Healing Cancer from the Inside Out’. Led by Dr. Bridget Bongaard and a staff of healthcare professionals, MCWR, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was attended by 21 cancer survivors who all received scholarships to participate. Dr. Bongaard, a board-certified internal medicine physician with a post-doctoral fellowship in integrative medicine, designed the event to help cancer survivors, with any diagnosis, transform their lives into a new and better level of health and wellness.

“Integrative medicine looks at all angles to solve problems,” Bongaard explained. “My approach to wellness is a three-dimensional process, physical, emotional, and spiritual. When one has the power of information to make changes, the results become apparent quickly. Best of all, the ripple effect of building community, having support, and being able to care for ‘self’ is massive. It creates effective problem-solving and resilience strategies. It works to eliminate suffering while improving the physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of lives. We look forward to starting healing circles and to supporting each other as the journey — and more retreats –continue.”

A key MCWR presenter was board-certified Lifestyle Medicine physician, Dr. Irminne Van Dyken, who is also a trauma surgeon on Maui. Patrick Brault, a participant from Pukalani said, “Van Dyken’s presentation was relevant information to anyone with cancer. Her talk, “How to Restore the Physical Body to Heal” highlighted the importance of diet, nutrition, physical activity and the dangers of tobacco use and stress.” Attendee Ben Massenburg summarized the general feedback from all the MCWR participants, “With great teachers and fellow cancer survivors, we stood together and supported each other, learning techniques to create a more resilient spirit to promote healing.” A closing ceremony by Rev. Tomoso charged the cancer survivors to move forward in their healing journey. Attendee Rhett Ferguson concluded, “No one fights alone; this was never more evident than during this MCWR.”

Happy New Year 2020!

Jan 1, 2020 | Community

January 1 will mark not just a new year but will be the first day of the 20’s. Most consider the new decade will actually start in 2021 — the first year A.D was 1 and therefore any year ending in one marks the beginning of a decade.  However, it seems much easier to group the 20’s as a new decade.  How will you celebrate?

There is a tradition to make noise at the stroke of midnight to ‘ring’ in the new year. Enthusiasts will bang drums, ring bells, blow noise horns, sound sirens or simply pop off a champagne cork. This came about in many cultures around the world to chase away evil spirits. Fireworks were invented in the seventh century A.D. in China for that purpose. Here on Maui fireworks are a long-standing feature of New Year’s celebrations; please take care and use legal fireworks during the permitted hours.

In addition to the noisy tradition, it is a time to enjoy special New Year foods.  Japanese families will be gathering for Mochi pounding – the pounding of sweet mochi rice that has been soaked for days to turn into mochi balls. It is a community affair meant to bring peace and prosperity in the New Year.

Sashimi is also a New Year tradition in Hawaii that is believed to bring good luck. If you want an excuse for eating doughnuts, then consider them lucky! Some cultures believe that ring-shaped treats symbolize “coming full circle” which leads to good fortune.

Kissing someone at midnight is not just about showing affection but another respected tradition that brings good luck. It is thought to bring support to someone as they enter the vulnerable transitional period of a new year.

So as you plan to make noise, eat and be merry — Maui Economic Development Board Staff would like to be among the first to wish you “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou” and the very best for 2020 –  Happy New Year!