So many folks have been affected by the Maui wildfires, and some narrowed their circles as grief will understandably continue into the foreseeable future.
I say the Island is rising again. Slow at first. We all share prayers and loving support for those significantly affected. Similarly, we are concerned for the land and the historical landmarks scorched beyond recognition. Those overcome by their pain may not yet see the worldwide care and shared heartache. They will, in time.
Tall palms continue to bend from the formerly smoke-filled wind. The ocean waves push salty foam and deposit chunks of charred wood along the shoreline. Each quiet orange-pink sunset across the evening skies reminds those watching that the Island reverberates with life. Likewise, the hushed mornings are pierced by the various bird’s eager calls. Maui lives and breathes— if you put your ear to this Island, you will sense a beating heart thrumming within.
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Today is Wednesday, 11:52 a.m. It’s been nearly six months since the wildfires, and I steered my car down South Kihei Road— toward an upcoming dental appointment. I glance in my rearview mirror, and it reflects a cute black convertible with an oversized, shiny purple suitcase that boldly sticks upright from the undersized backseat.
I miss seeing tourists— don’t get me wrong, Maui has tourists, just not as many as before the wildfires scarred this paradise.
I grinned at the sight of that bold suitcase. Tourists don’t realize they’ve brought a boatload of vitality and a sense of wonder wrangled and zipped into that backseat luggage.
My car passes a young barefoot bicycler pedaling his bike with a slight weave. He stays mostly within his dedicated lane. An overloaded basket is bolted to the rusted rear fender- his ukelele loosely held by a shoulder strap. I close my eyes— just for a moment- hoping the black convertible tourists will also notice the biker and smile.
In my rearview mirror, the backseat purple suitcase looms close enough for me to peek at the driver and his companion. They look happy and relaxed as their hair whips in every direction.
Our cars approach the spot where a local peacock attempts his daily proud stroll across the road to visit the wetland. Typically, traffic lurches to a stop at the sight. I tap my brakes if the giant bird is on his morning quest. The purple suitcase slows behind me. Sadly, there is no peacock strut today, and I sense a tug of disappointment that the tourists missed that spectacular opportunity.
The convertible passenger pointed her camera at the mango and coconut stand— really, it’s a ramshackle hut with an array of local produce offered on rough wood plank shelving. The propped-up, hand painted FRUIT STAND sign sits at the curb— Gilligan’s Island style.
It’s 11:55 a.m. I pass a middle-aged man in a faded tie-dyed shirt and shorts. He stood at the curb, turned, and settled stiffly on the slanted, wooden bus-stop bench. The man parked his bodyboard at his feet, shielded his eyes, and kept vigil southward for his bus. I monitored the rearview mirror to determine if the two pairs of sunglasses turned toward the bus stop. They did and beamed. Perhaps they see this Island as I see it.
I glanced at the clock nervously as my dental appointment ticked fast. Smoke billowed from the Huli Huli Chicken grill as I motor past the outdoor market (a myriad of tent-like structures with tattered flags announcing their wares).
I sense movement in the mirror— the aromatic hint of barbecue gave proper notice. The passenger seat tourist points wildly at the chicken stand, and the turn indicator blinks. I wince, anticipating the shiny purple suitcase will ditch wildly from the abrupt turn. Those back bumper tourists have found their first Maui experience, and I drove on to my appointment with a warm heart.
I imagine they’ll need extra room in that luggage for sandy flip-flops, a lei, local coffee beans, macadamia chocolates, and two colorful Lahaina Strong tee shirts for their flight to their mainland home.
I hope— no, I depend on the owners of the shiny purple suitcase to return home filled with adventurous stories, respect for the land, continued prayers for those affected by the fires, and a love for Maui that will never fade.
