Tag: nature

Two Short Stories from Maui

One: The Free and the Friendly, & Two: The Entangled and the Recovered

Story One – The Free to the Friendly

On Saturday, June 27th Sister Hardman and I set out to rest our souls and exercise our bodies with a walk on the beach. Among other walkers that morning we heard a voice directed at us. “Hi, can you tell us where the nearest grocery store is?” A middle-age couple, also dressed for walking, explained, “We just got in last night, took an Uber to our rental, and won’t be renting a car until Monday. Where can we get fresh produce?” We looked at each other, “What about the Island Grill… they might have… probably not produce…no, that’s a mile down the road anyway.” We got to know our friends a little as we explained that Foodland and Safeway would be a really long walk.

At Twin Falls with Michigan friends

Vikram and Vani were from Michigan on a vacation with their two daughters (who apparently hadn’t got up yet). “We’d be happy to take you. We’ll just go back up the walkway and get our car.” “Oh, no,” they replied in a subtle Indian accent, “we couldn’t expect you to do that.” “It wouldn’t be any problem,” we countered. “We have the time.” After a couple more courtesy rounds of, “Let us take you,” followed by, “No, that’s too kind,” it was obvious to both parties that it was the right thing to do. So, we all climbed in our little Nissan Versa and headed for Safeway. During the drive they were very friendly and told us more about themselves than we can remember. “I used to be an engineer and my wife is a dentist; but now I work for her…” There is more to this engineer/dentist story but I’ll leave it to your imagination.

We dropped them off at Safeway while we went for our usual extravagant breakfast at McDonalds. While loading their groceries into our trunk they expressed their gratitude with some Ghirardelli, Premium Dark Chocolate (which we accepted), and a bottle of wine (which we did not). “You drink wine, don’t you?” Vikram said. “We don’t, but that’s very kind of you.” We had a pleasant visit all the way back to our rental units. That afternoon they would catch a tour shuttle to Haleakala, and we were gathering with other missionaries and members for a social that night. We dropped them off and expressed hope to do something together ‘later.’

Well, later came and we ran into them at the same place on the same sidewalk that evening where, after some conversation we were invited to go with them Monday on their journey to Hana (that’s a big commitment). On Monday we met at Safeway (a different one), and began our caravan along the Hana Highway. Our first stop was Ho’okipa Beach to view the many turtles we knew would be resting there. Then we continued to Twin Falls where an evening flash flood made it too dangerous for swimming (the daughters were disappointed). Then we continued through Haiku, then a eucalyptus grove, a bamboo forest and on to ‘Half way to Hana,’ a popular food stand with fresh banana bread. It was at a picnic bench here that we finally got to know the full family and learn all about them.

The older daughter lives in New York and works for a financial company as a computer scientist. The parents obviously hoped that their younger daughter would follow a similar academic path. Due to the education level of the conversation, the interest in math and science, and perhaps the fact that I had worked at the Haleakala observatory, for some reason our subjects tended toward rockets, satellites, orbit, NASA and… I threw out some questions gently aimed at the younger daughter. “So, why do astronauts float in space? Why don’t they fall to the Earth?” Considering facial expressions, everyone around the table loved the question, but for different reasons. I kicked into engineer mentor mode, put my soda cup in the middle of the table, placed my crumpled napkin nearby and said, “This is Earth. And this is the moon…” I had fun explaining orbital mechanics and they didn’t seem to mind. We talked and visited and finished our Kalua Pork sandwiches and banana bread and acted like life long friends. We had to get back for our Monday evening addiction recovery support meeting, and they wanted to go further toward Hana. “You must come to Michigan. It is beautiful in the summer and fall.” We parted ways and expected to see each other again. We treasure the picture that was taken of us that day with our new friends from Michigan.

Story Two – The Entangled and the Recovered

Along the southwest coast of Maui, large green sea turtles, or ‘honu,’ ‘forage’ to survive. Families and local fishermen also utilize the coast to catch fish to live. Occasionally, sea turtles interact with fishing gear and get entangled, threatening their lives. On July 4th, a beautiful morning near the Surfside Resort in Kihei, we observed an unusual uniform group of snorkelers moving side-by-side face down just off shore. They were towing a small raft. Another onlooker in a similar uniform saw our curiosity, walked up to us and asked, “May I tell you more about what you are seeing?” “Yes, please,” we responded. Our friend from the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute explained that these uniformed snorkelers were searching for entangled, ensnared or otherwise compromised sea turtles in need of rescue, not able to release themselves. They search and also respond to siting’s of entangled turtles from other snorkelers. Under authorized and professional direction, they rehabilitate and recover honu to their natural healthy habitats and purpose. (https://www.mocmarineinstitute.org/sea-turtle-rescue-and-rehabilitation)

As our Marine Institute volunteer talked, I was struck by her use of the words entangled, ensnared, rescue and recovery. I thought on this day of liberty and freedom, like sea turtles, our friends we support as service missionaries are entangled in addiction, unable to release themselves and seek recovery, freedom and renewed purpose. Like the uniform group of snorkelers moving side-by-side with a rescue raft nearby, Sister Hardman and I along with many others are working side-by-side in Hawaii and around the world with the Savior nearby to rescue, rehabilitate, and return God’s children to a knowledge of their divine worth, and his plan of happiness for them. As each of us snorkel or travel through life, we will likely find individuals who are ensnared in addiction, and may have lost their sense of identity as children of God. They might wonder if God still loves them. We know that he does. 

In rooms of recovery, we all feel his powerful love. We can encourage the entangled to seek professional and ecclesiastical help. We can help them to his raft of grace, his power.  We can encourage them to participate in Healing through the Savior, 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) at addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org. “The 12 Steps of recovery [teach] how to apply the gospel of Jesus Christ to our lives. President Jeffrey R Holland said: ‘Are you battling a demon of addiction—tobacco or drugs or gambling, or… pornography?… Whatever other steps you may need to take to resolve these concerns, come first to the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Broken Things to Mend,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 70, as quoted in, Healing through the Savior – 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program, pg. 5)

Oct. 6, 2025 – Light shining in darkness

Caption?

A young Eucalyptus tree growing on a volcano

Light penetrating the clouds as we walk through them

Lunch with missionaries who just arrived on the island

Sunsets and moon-risings

Sand refined and smooth

I could talk about the challenging moments this week, in all their varieties – physical, emotional, and spiritual – but I feel to focus on the light that shone through to illuminate each of those learning moments. As Elder Peter M. Johnson read in General Conference on Sunday, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God…I am the light which shineth in darkness…” (D&C 6:21) The light of General Conference including the music was a personal blessing. Sister Tracy Browning taught, “Sacred music can shine the Light of Christ on the hearer and can pour it into the heart of the singer.” (Sister Tracy Y. Browning, 2nd Counselor in the Primary General Presidency)

We began our General Conference having prayed all week for those preparing and participating in the conference. After the Saturday morning session we had breakfast at a members home with the full-time missionaries and other guests. A non-member friend of the family was there and we all had wonderful conversation about Jesus Christ and the Church. He was very anxious to bring ‘religious structure’ back into his life. We all encouraged with love.  

Later that day, we felt prompted to visit our neighbors. As we entered their home to pleasant smiles, Jana’i looked up from the tea-leaf weaving project she was preparing for local school children. I said, “Can we tell you why today is such a blessing?” Curtis and Jana’i nodded yes. “It is General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” They again nodded with some recognition of what this is. We continued, “It is so wonderful to hear so much encouragement and joy and messages about Jesus Christ.” Jana’i replied, “I feel and appreciate your enthusiasm.” From prior conversation we knew that their son had been baptized years ago when some of his friends left on missions. They talked about other friends they’ve had who are members of the Church and have had a positive influence on them. To our invitation to join us to watch General Conference they politely said, “Maybe next time,” so we gave them the link and encouraged them to participate. After more mutually enjoyable conversation we departed till our next visit.

We’d like to now share a couple examples of light shining through some challenging moments this week.

Emotional – At our Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support meetings we often feel some of the weight that we imagine addicts carry as they seek healing and sobriety in a world filled with ongoing trials and temptations. There are times when I personally feel overwhelmed for them and my heart aches. True, we don’t know exactly what they are going through. But we do our best to love and read scriptures with them and encourage the light of Christ to shine through the darkness. ARP Step 5 involves the principle of confession and more than one person expressed how hard it is to confess to ecclesiastical leaders who haven’t experienced what they are going through. When I bore my testimony this week, I feel like I fell short of expressing Christlike love. But after the meeting the Spirit helped me see light that was indeed shining through the darkness, even though not obvious to me at the time.

Spiritual – One form of spiritual darkness is when doubt or fear accompanies the loss of hope in one or more eternal blessings. But here again, the potential light is in the process of applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, learning the truth thereby overcoming or allowing Christ to disperse the darkness. I won’t go into personal specifics here, but I am learning more and more what He meant, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Revelation through the Holy Ghost while studying the Word – frees us from many things including darkness that can come from false or incomplete understandings.

As an engineer, my ears perked up this weekend when President Eyring said, “Long ago I sought to learn physics and mathematics in my college years. I felt overwhelmed…” He went on to express how challenging and discouraging it was. He prayed and received, “I am proving you, but I am also with you.” He then shared, “I learned that my struggle with physics was actually a gift from the Lord. He was teaching me that with His help, I could do things that seemed impossible if I had the faith…” (Henry B. Eyring, Oct. 2025)

As we review our week, mission, and life, we see that most days have been filled with light. A young Eucalyptus tree growing on a volcano, light penetrating the clouds as we walk through them, lunch with missionaries who just arrived on the island, sunsets and moon-risings. The blessings of the Gospel, the Earth, and family are wonderful. The more we study the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the brighter we see our past, present and future. We are very grateful for our Father in Heaven, His Son Jesus Christ, and the comfort and revelation from the Holy Ghost. Like life, while walking on the beach, our bare feet leave depressions in the infinite and perfect grains of soft coral sand. When we turn back we see the waves rush in and flow back out, our footprint gone, the sand even more refined and smooth. As we walk intentionally through life with Him, baring our souls amidst his righteous waves, He refines us even in the process and presence of his beautiful creations. We are grateful for these moments, and the light of the Earth and all our Father in Heaven has prepared for his children.

Aloha, and Mahalo.