Monday morning cup of thoughts
Lahaina
Part 2 of Amy’s shower will arrive on Friday.
As a young woman my life lessons seemed to arrive from different shores. Regardless of their origins, they all seemed to point in the same direction.
The Concept of ʻOhana
The concept of ʻohana involves creating loving relationships with more than just blood relatives. Embracing ʻohana means developing a sense of familial care and devotion to all members of the human family.
The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.
- Richard Bach
I embraced the concept of ‘ohana in my early twenties when I fell head over heels in love with the Hawaiian Islands.
The news of the Maui firestorm weighs heavy. I’ve held two places in my heart for most of my adult life that feel like home, that I yearn for whenever I’m away too long, places that if I knew my life was ending, I’d do everything in my power to make my way back one last time… Hawaii and Lake Tahoe. I’ve long since lost track of how many times I have visited. I never tire of the sights, the smells, the people, and the contentment I feel in either of these places.
My first husband worked for the airlines, and we could travel to Hawaii cheaper than we could go to Lake Tahoe. (That comparison might not mean much for those who don’t live in California. But Lake Tahoe was only a three-hour drive, a trip people from the Bay Area often made. The idea we could travel to Hawaii cheaper was crazy.)
We took advantage of our benefits, and later in life, after we separated, I worked for Virgin America and once again enjoyed the benefit of traveling to Hawaii.
Amy and Jordan made their first visit to Maui to attend the wedding of my dear friend Julie’s son, Paul. Over twenty years later, the ‘ohana of the islands would bring Jordan and a few of his buddies back to the island of Maui. For a few years Jordan divided his time between Hawaii and the Bay Area. But the islands have slowly become his home.
While living in Lahaina, Jordan worked as a waiter at a lively restaurant across the street from the ancient banyan tree that has been in the news. We enjoyed a few meals there, having fun with the best waiter on the islands (okay, I’m biased).
The restaurant is now a vacant lot of ashes.
Jordan and Brooke chose to move to Kauai two years ago. I’ve worked hard this week blocking visions of the what-ifs. Instead, I’ve focused on sending my loving thoughts to the victims of what is likely the worst firestorm to date and nursing my sorrow over the loss of the beautiful town of Lahaina.
A new version of Lahaina will rise from the ashes, but for us old-timers who sang along with Loggins & Messina, it’s essential to mourn with and support those who have lost oh so much.
I often write about looking for the silver lining or, in the case of a significant loss, even the mere thread we can hang onto for hope. Each night this week, I cried through the latest news of Maui.
Saturday night, I finally caught that first glimpse of the goodness I trust in. The video I was watching was shot overlooking the ruins toward the ocean. The distinctive azure blue Lahaina shoreline still beckoned, even nestled against the devastation, reminding me that a fire cannot destroy what brings us to the islands, the ocean as well as the ‘ohana.
There’s a spot along the coastline as one travels from the airport toward Lahaina where the ocean becomes visible. The view is breathtaking. It is in that spot that my shoulders drop about an inch. I take a deep breath and offer a huge aloha and mahalo to the island for allowing my return. Seeing the ocean footage on the news allowed me to envision the next time I make my way across the island toward that view.
We will welcome a new day in Lahaina but will likely take advantage of any opportunity to share our fond memories of Lahaina in days gone by.
Please use the comment section to share any info regarding organizations helping those in need.
Our Wyoming landlords live just outside of Lahaina. Their house is safe. Their son, Josh Bogle (well-known Paralympics surfer) is there on the ground doing hands-on supply runs for people. We’ve donated to his Venmo, which I can offer to others through my email (dgarner@deborahgarner.com.) He can be found on Instagram at @joshybogle (Ever see a quadriplegic surf? He’s amazing!) We like knowing that someone we know personally is taking the donation and immediately using it to give help - no red tape or delays. Their family also highly recommends Maui Food Bank and Maui Humane Society. Thank you to all who are helping. The town is devastated, and the people are heartbroken.
I like you have been to Maui more times than I can count. It has always been such a spiritual place for me. I feel it as soon as I leave the airport. Mel and I always stayed in Kaanapali. One year when we were there there was a large fire near the Aquarium and due to the one way road no traffic was allowed in our out of the area. We were on a tour when the fire broke out and our tour guide found all of us a room at a small hotel owned by her cousin. She took us to the mall so we could buy night clothes, toothpaste and a toothbrush. Some people chose to spend the night in the mall as hundreds of people were stranded. The next morning our guide came back to pick us all up and return us back to our hotels. Talks about Ohana. Lahaina will rose from the ashes like a Phoenix. She will never be the same but she will be back.