Tag Archives: travel

Week 19 – August 11 – Our first trip to the island of Lana’i

Posted on by
2

I was afraid I might get sea sick on the way to Sacrament Meeting! We rose very early on Sunday and though greeted by a beautiful calm east sky surrounding Haleakala, as we pulled onto the Maalaea dock we were greeted by boulders that had been thrown from the sea into the parking area. We navigated around them on the saturated road and soon learned why they were there. Suddenly an especially large wave broke the peaceful morning and burst over the concrete barrier sending water high into the sky. “We are experiencing a ‘south swell’” the ship crew later told us as we boarded the passenger ferry for Lana’i. The ship was tossed and heaving as we took our seats but became more steady as we departed for the open sea.

On board there were four fire-men passengers going to their three-day shift on Lana’i. One of them, recognizing us by our Sunday clothing and missionary badges befriended us and we engaged in delightful conversation about the Gospel and our work in Addiction Recover support for most of the one-hour trip. “D. Kamalani” it read on his uniform. He was very friendly asking about us and telling about himself and his family. In addition to fire-fighting, David is a sports trainer and author, originally from the islands but living mostly in St. George, Utah where he and his wife raised their family. Like everyone we talk to, David was grateful to hear of the work we are doing for those who suffer from addiction. We exchanged contact information and expressed hope to interact again. (see picture) I occasionally gazed out the window at the ocean and was impressed with how large the swells and valleys were made by ocean currents and overall water movement. The sea seemed alive. Fortunately, no sea sickness!

Getting off the boat at Lana’i we immediately recognized a gentleman in white shirt and tie, Brother Sproat, a member of the branch presidency greeted us warmly and then took us for a one-hour tour of the island in his well-used Toyota Tundra. He stopped the truck at a road-side monument (see picture) giving tribute to the Palawai Pioneers, Hawaiian latter-day saints who attempted a colony there in the 1850’s. He then took us to a view point of the north side including “shipwreck beach” where a large World War II concrete hull tanker ship was run aground and abandoned. In Lana’i City (the word City is a stretch), we arrived at the little chapel where we were greeted with enthusiasm by the missionaries, Sister Watanabe (from Texas) and Sister Salem (from the Philippian’s). We gave them the whiteboard and water bottle sent with us by other missionaries which they received with as much gratitude as though they were receiving their first copy of the Book of Mormon. With grateful surprise we were served breakfast then greeted by branch leaders and members before Sacrament Meeting.

Just before services started, we met Sister Sproat who we had been told could play the piano. We gave here the sheet music to the song we planned to sing, she stepped to the piano, and began to play it as prelude. Yep, she was the right one to accompany us. During the meeting we sang, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” (Hymn 1014) and felt the Spirit especially during the last verse which we sang A Capella.

The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days.

O may Thy house be mine abode and all my work be praise!

There would I find a settled rest while others go and come—

No more a stranger nor a guest but like a child at Home.”

“When it was our turn to speak, we gave our prepared talks on Jesus Christ as our Advocate with the Father. Joan talk a little about us and introduced our topic. At the end of my message I felt so much love that it was natural to conclude with, “I know we are strangers, but I love you…”

We remained for the second hour where we were given time to show branch members how to find church online resources for addiction recovery. We also attended the weekly branch mission council and were impressed with how many branch members were engaged in the work; clearly the members and the missionaries are well-coordinated. Later we were served lunch which we enjoyed while getting to know the sister missionaries better. They shared all about themselves and their families and their enthusiasm for the work. Brother Sproat loaned us the Tundra. He said the keys were in it and it was available to anyone who needed it. So we took the opportunity to visit the famous cat sanctuary on the island. Sister Hardman was thrilled to hold, and be surrounded by hundreds of her fury friends, kittens, middle-aged, and senior cats. (Due to the therapeutic experience, we are considering recommending cats for Step 13 of the addiction recovery program.)

As our return ferry experience got closer I became nervous again, “What if I get sea-sick? The ocean is always rougher in the afternoon.” We sat in comfortable seats toward the center of the boat, I plugged some music in my ears, closed my eyes and was distracted for the journey back. Phew! No sea-sickness! At Maui, the ‘south swells’ were still big. The crew directed us carefully off the boat, one-by-one down the ramp. We waded through the still drenched parking lot to our car, tried to remove the thick salt spray from our windshield, then drove home. We agreed, “The entire experience was a magical missionary day.”

We concluded the week reflecting on the blessings and changes that come as we interact with people who bless our lives. Earlier in the week we enjoyed Sister Hardman’s cookies and the company of our missionary friends Elder and Sister Taylor admiring a beautiful sunset (see picture) and rise of the full moon over Haleakala. On Saturday, we took time at the sacred Pulehu chapel to play music and to read Elder George Q. Cannon’s journal. Very inspiring! While there, the Pukalani Relief Society arrived to have an activity. We helped them set up and were invited to stay for the event. It was joyful as they are very special people. Their final activity was to learn a hula dance under the giant Jacaranda Tree to the music of Moana, which Sister Hardman and I joined in. (see picture)

On Monday evening, with choice brothers and sisters attending Healing through the Savior, we studied Step 9 of the addiction recovery program. Step 9 is about restitution to persons harmed by our addictions. As we read of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah who went about, “zealously striving to repair…” (Mosiah 27:35) the damage they had caused, and later of Alma teaching his sons to “acknowledge [their] faults…” (Alma 39:12-13), we felt the mercy and power of the Saviors Atonement and “immediate redemption…” (Alma 34:31-32) that can come “as we prepare to meet God.” We have been very blessed this week.

Week 18 – August 5 – A Tsunami and Joan’s Tree

Posted on by
Reply

The week started with a Tsunami! On Tuesday afternoon, July 29th, all phones on the island gave hourly high-pitched tones and displayed the message to leave coastal areas and move to higher ground. A strong earthquake near Kamchatka, Russia set up strong swells in the ocean and the waves were expected to reach Hawaii that evening. We offered prayer and remained in our apartment a safe elevation from the coast. Checking the news periodically we learned of the waves progress and the mostly vacated coastal areas. In the end there were locations where the ocean dropped many feet and rose a few. But other than significant traffic jams and life interruptions, we are not aware of major damages. We were grateful for the technology and professionals who were extra cautious to keep people safe. Later in the week we walked along a couple of our favorite beaches and boardwalks where all looked normal.

We were recently called as Sunday School teachers in our home ward, Kahului 1st Ward. This Sunday was the first opportunity we had to significantly prepare and give the lesson. We have ages 16 & 17. At the beginning of class we tried to share the delicious Orange Cookies that Sister Hardman made that morning, but all but one declined, saying they needed to wait until the end of class, because it was fast Sunday. (Yes, they taught us something that day.) Like most classes throughout the church this week our topic was Doctrine & Covenants, Section 84. We studied the applicable Come, Follow Me pages and (with tips from our Gardner family in Utah who have the same calling) we prayerfully selected the points on which we would focus. I like outlining and diagraming so to move forward on our lesson I diagramed the chosen material (See picture). We are so grateful for all the ordinances of the Gospel and for the literal power of Godliness that is manifest in them (D&C 84:20). We see and feel that power each time we participate in an ordinance, especially in the temple. We had a pretty good size group this Sunday and they were kind, happy, attentive, and participated when we asked. It was reassuring to feel of the spirit in their presence and to hear their knowledge of the Gospel. This statement from President Russell M. Nelson summarizes the message, “Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.” (Spiritual Treasures,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 77). Sister Hardman’s Orange Cookies were enjoyed after the meeting. Later that day we got a message from the bishop. “Any cookies handed out at Sunday School must be brought over to the Bishop’s house for tasting beforehand.” We love our happy hearted bishop. (His daughter in our class had eatin several cookies )

We obtained more training this week for hosting the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP). This time from a five-year ARP Coordinator in Oklahoma. We have received training from our coordinator in Honolulu as well as from coordinators in Anaheim, American Fork, and now Oklahoma. Each brings reminders on conducting the program per the Church administrative guide as well as helpful tips from their experience. We are grateful for each. Attendance at our weekly ARP support meeting varies from a few to a dozen participants. This week we read Step 8 together, “Make a written list of all persons we have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them.” There is great doctrinal content in the guide book regarding forgiving and being forgiven and the peace and power that comes as we do both. We feel love and compassion for those who come, and we are encouraged to be patient towards those who don’t always come. We pray each week that the Lord will remove their barriers and give them the courage to attend and receive support. More and more, those who come are becoming excellent support for each other. Sister Hardman’s Orange Cookies were enjoyed after the meeting.

Over the months, and even years that we have been coming to Maui, we have developed a few traditions and unique things we notice around the island. When we are craving an excellent burger and we have a little time on our hands, we head for the Ulupalakua Ranch, located upcountry on the southwestern slopes of the Haleakala volcano. In addition to conservation activities, the ranch runs 2,300 Angus cows which are marketed around Hawaii. The area is forested, green and often obscured by clouds. The country store humorously identifies itself as the “Road to Hana Recovery Station” (you pass right by it returning from Hana on the southern route). Anyway, the burgers are wonderful. On a clear day from our apartment 20-miles across the Maui Valley, and many other places along the southwest shore, we see a large tree-looking structure on the skyline ridge above Ulupalakua. It stands out so prominently and we see it so frequently that we even gave it a name, Joan’s Tree, because it looks like a birthmark on her leg. Until recently we haven’t known whether it is a tree or a man-made camouflage antenna. “It looks too big to be an isolated tree on the ridge,” we would say to ourselves. On a clear day this week we set out to solve the mystery (and get a burger). As we approached the Ranch, the sky was clear and blue and boom, just a mile or two away, there it was, tall and beautiful and looking very much like a lone tall natural tree. We pulled into the Ranch and these two traditions came together, eating a great burger in sight of the great tree that we call Joan’s Tree.

Week 2 – April 14, 2025 – Feeling Mahalo for our first week

Posted on by
Reply

The contrast was striking, a massive cruise ship in port backed by the beautiful wave-filled Pacific to the north, and a very old multi-story apartment complex on the shore of Kahului Bay. Before stake conference we had asked the Relief Society president, Celeste M. for someone in need of a loving visit. “Morning!” she replied. “We have quite a few sisters that I haven’t met. One sister that I know typically would enjoy a visit is Eve A.” We quickly looked her up in the online ward directory and saw where we needed to go. “She has a parking spot right outside her apartment,” President M. texted. “She doesn’t have a vehicle.”

During stake conference we were inspired by the powerful Tongon Ward choir followed by the stake president’s personal surfing story where, after waiting a long time for a good wave, he moved closer to shore for more frequent waves, likening our need to not be too far out in our waiting for service but being where the needs are and acting on our promptings.

We found Eve’s parking spot, called her phone for further directions, and were warmly greeted by her and her neighbor Tracy D. These two ladies seemed more than thrilled to have visitors, especially visitors carrying musical instruments. Eve used a walker to get around but soon had us seated on the Futon sofa across from her over occupied computer desk where I noticed a well-worn quad of scriptures. They invited us to partake of crackers, cheese, and clementines on a paper plate near the Futon. Eve grew up in Cache Valley, and Tracy was born in Moab, Utah. They met as neighbors just a couple years before and were both members of the Kahului 1st Ward. At first the conversation focused on their negative emotions regarding health, homelessness on the island, and the need for local governments to focus more on those needs. Listening politely we then asked for their thoughts regarding the stake conference which they had watched via Zoom. They each noted inspiring remarks from speakers, then the Spirit moved the conversation to God’s love, mercy, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We shed joyful tears together while reading Alma 7:11, “he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind;…and he will take upon him their infirmities,…that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people…” We then discussed the intimate personal future joy that helped the Savior endure. Hebrews 12:2, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” After a while we asked if we could sing them a song. “You’re going to sing for us?!” Eve and Tracy’s eyes widened. “Yes.” We replied with a smile.

As we sang, “For the Joy Set Before Me,” there was obvious deep meaning there for Eve and Tracy as the Kleenex box was kept in use. We also played Ashokan Farewell, an Irish fiddle tune, and finally one of our handcart songs, “Pioneer Lullaby.” Some young children appeared and disappeared at the open windows as we played. Eve’s son appeared in the room as well and expressed his knowledge of the history and background of certain music types. Typical of such ministering sessions I asked, “May we have prayer with you tonight?” Eve readily agreed and asked me to pray. As we departed the harbor area, Joan and I felt God’s love and how wonderful it is to be in places of love and service. Tracy, Eve and her son were in our prayers that night and we knew we were in the right place, grateful for the people we are meeting and serving, grateful for our supportive family and friends.

A week earlier, before leaving home in Utah, we had family over for breakfast on General Conference morning. Wheat Waffles and peach syrup were on the menu, one of our favorites. After breakfast and conference, we held an Easter devotional where Bethany read about the resurrection of Christ and Rebecca H. gave a thought about Easter. We bore our testimonies, Jana gave the family prayer then we all hugged, said our goodbyes, and Melanie took us to the airport. After descending past Mount Hood into Portland, the timing was just right for us to catch the Saturday Evening Session of conference sitting in the airport. We also received a couple unexpected texts. “Aloha Elder & Sister Hardman! This is Celeste from the Kahului 1st Ward R/S Presidency. Is there anything you need? Do you have a ride? Is there anything we can do to assist? …If you’re up & wanting breakfast, we are having the missionaries over for breakfast at 8am between conference sessions.” We got similar messages from Paul of the stake presidency. We soon figured out that Paul and Celeste are husband and wife. We expressed our Mahalo and accepted the breakfast invitation.

It was midnight Hawaii time when we got off the plane in Kahului, found our rental truck and set out for our hotel room since our new apartment had no furniture. After a short night’s sleep we went and had a lovely breakfast (a feast actually including yummy cocoa rice) with President Celeste and President Paul M., four missionaries and several family members. As a thankyou gift we retrieved our instruments from the truck and played Ashokan Farewell for them. They were grateful.

Over the next week we moved into our apartment, acquired needed furniture, had companion study each morning, watched The Chosen at the local theater, walked twice up the neighborhood hill for exercise, bought a car, drove to Lahaina and back, attended stake conference and made a special visit to Eve and Tracy.