Healing through the Savior, the 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program is now being promoted via digital means and our printed flyers across all wards and branches (two stakes) on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Part of our work is to attend all Ward Councils or 5^th Sunday all-adult meetings to explain the program, raise awareness, and invite participation. “Do you or a loved one suffer from addiction,” the flyer reads in part. “This program provides a safe place where you will: find a support system and practice the 12 steps, meet others who can relate to your struggles, learn from others’ successes in recovery, find an uplifting, inclusive environment where the spirit thrives, and find hope, peace, and healing through the Atonement of Christ…” We also spend time coordinating with facilitators who will help run the support meetings.

To give us a deeper appreciation for the people, their culture and history, we are drawn to Maui church history and find insights for the recovery work we are doing today. For several years now I have been reading Saints – The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days. I just finished Volume 4, the last of the series. Reading this creative, narrative non-fiction style was an overall fulfilling experience. Inspiring Maui church history begins in Volume 2 with George Q. Cannon and his fellow missionaries. “George Q. Cannon gripped his travel bag as he stepped into a stream winding through Maui’s verdant ‘Iao Valley… Four days earlier, he had left his home in Lahaina and started walking north along the shoreline.” Joan and I have driven the northern route a number of times and with its winding path in and out of the mountain over ridges and cliffs, we can only imagine how Elder Cannon made his way over several days to where we live now in Wailuku. I’ve been very inspired by his determination to be a faithful and diligent missionary. “I must push out among the Natives,” he said, “and commence preaching to them.”

Not far from our apartment in Wailuku, Elder Cannon, “felt impressed to return to the town. He quickly retraced his steps, and as he passed the churchyard, two women emerged from a nearby house. ‘E ka haole!’ they called back into the house. Oh, the white man!” Elder Cannon was asked by three men where he was going. He was invited to stay at their home and began teaching. “As George spoke with them, he knew at once that he had found the people God had prepared… George taught [Jonathan] Napela about the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith.” He then made a short trip back to Lahaina likely along the Lahaina-Pali Trail, later returning to “teach Napela and his friends.”

Recently, Joan and I hiked the ancient Lahaina-Pali Trail, still blazed daily by hiking enthusiasts. This was one of the ancient routes between Lahaina to Wailuku. The challenging 1600-foot vertical climb in 2.5 miles provided beautiful views of Haleakala, the Maui valley between and the Maalaea Bay to the south. The steep aggressive climb encouraged numerous stops along the way to slow the heart beat and take in the sights Elder Cannon would have seen. After teaching Napela and his friends in Wailuku, these missionaries crossed the Maui isthmus (valley) made their way up-country on the foothills of Haleakala and met with teaching success (more on this later). We are now working to offer the ARP with members of the up-country Makawao and Pukalani wards. Whereas Canon and Napela brought the Church and the Saviors Restored Gospel, we are hoping to bring the Saviors program of addiction recovery to those who have the need.

When Sister Hardman and I hiked the Lahaina-Pali Trail, we found it very, very difficult to navigate the well warn zigzag trail, filled with lava-composed rocks and boulders from small to beach ball size. It was easy to slip if not very determined and cautious. We anticipate those struggling with addiction tread a similar path and it is our every intention to be there for them, and to encourage others in their lives to be there with them and for them. As we meet those who have been or are on this recovery path, we feel great compassion, pray hard for them and we know that their loved ones both living and those who lived here during Cannon and Napela’s day are exercising themselves in heaven on behalf of their loved ones on earth. “They are good people,” as one brother told us. “Some of them are just caught in bad habits.” From Lahaina to Wailuku, from Kahului to Pukalani, from Kihei to the rest of Maui, Molokai, and Lana’i, one of the goals is to help them be ready to make and keep sacred covenants with God as Cannon and Napela did. This past week we made a trip to Utah for a long-planned reunion with our family. It was wonderful to be with them in the St. George area for hiking and swimming and just being together. There were also opportunities to give extra love to those who experienced sickness on the journey. Before returning to Maui, we also attended the temple for the first endowment session of our oldest grand-daughter, and spent hours with some of our younger grandchildren.