Freedom Riders

Last week I was watching a re-run of Oprah.  It was all about the "Freedom Riders".  I was so inspired by their stories.  I had heard about this remarkable group of people before, but hearing the details of their experiences was amazing and awe inspiring.  Oprahʻs studio was filled with 178 survivors of the Freedom Rides.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Freedom Riders

The story of John Lewis was particularly moving.  He was one of the bus riders who endured the torment of angry white mobs.  Mr. Lewis had been beaten by two white men.  As they were kicking and beating him they asked him, "Who do you think you are?  What are you here for?"  And Mr. Lewis responded, "I mean no harm.  I am here for love."  That one line made a huge impact on me.  "I am here for love."

Congressman John Lewis - one of the Freedom Riders

Mr. Lewis survived and went on to become a U.S. Congressman.  Many years after his attack, one of his attackers tracked him down and met with him, asking for his forgiveness.  Congressman Lewis graciously took his attacker in his arms and forgave him.  What an amazing example of Christ-like love.  The two appeared on the Oprah show together and as the attacker talked and shared his story, Mr. Lewis held his hand and comforted him.  The two have gone from enemies to friends who respect each other.

This show truly changed me.  I realized that history, especially the negative parts, holds so many life lessons on so many levels.  How African Americans were treated, the mistreatment and injustices, the violence, anger, and hatred, should never be forgotten.  As Oprah says, "when you know better, you do better", and history helps us to know better so that we can do better.  What is just as important though is how these young men and women chose to respond then, and more importantly, now.

Diane Nash, leader of the sit-in movement in Nashville.

They stood up for what they believed in.  They took risks to bring about positive change in the world.  They were non-violent and responded in love.  Years later when their offenders came seeking forgiveness, they forgave them, embraced them, and once again, brought love.  So many of them had endured the most horrific trials imaginable, yet they found it in their hearts to forgive.  They CHOSE to forgive.  In my opinion, this is true Christ-like love, the purest love there is.

There are many comparisons that can be made in Hawaiian culture.  The injustices that occurred in my own culture need to be taught so that we do not make the same mistakes again.  Just as important, though, we need to find examples in our culture who stood for change and who made a positive difference.  This inspired me to incorporate these lessons in my curriculum at school.

As a teacher I have the power to influence the next generation for good.  I have the power to inspire them, motivate them, and give them the wisdom and courage to make a difference in the world.  My commitment over Fall Break is to develop lessons and curriculum that teaches my students the truth of Hawaiian history and politics and inspires them to be "movers and shakers" in our community who stand for positive change.  Incorporating examples like the Freedom Riders, the Arkansas 9, and other heroes in other cultures is important and of course, highlighting our own cultural heroes will be the foundation of the curriculum.

So, I salute the many African Americans who were courageous enough to stand up for equality and humble enough to bring love to situations of violence.  I salute those who asked for forgiveness and who have chosen to break the cycle of prejudice and racial inequality.  Their stories have inspired me to inspire the next generation!

90th Annual Maui County Fair

Haʻaheo, Ruby, Kamahiwa, Kamalani, and Dystiney

The County Fair is so much fun!  Now that the kiddos are older we can really enjoy our time!  They get to hang out with friends and ride the rides in the Joy Zone while Mom gets to look at the crafts, exhibits, and enjoy food and entertainment.  As I walk around and see all the youth that go to the Fair, I am truly grateful for my children and the lives they lives as examples of the believers.  They have a good influence on the kids they hang out with.  A friend and I were just talking about how important it is that we help our children be the influence instead of being influenced.  I love the fact that their friends choose to hang out with our family!

Piʻikea and I watching Josh Tatofi sing!

I also feel blessed to be able to spend time with my nieces and nephews, who are like my own children and to see the smiles on their faces as they enjoy the Fair, too!  The best part was watching the Hypnotist with them!  Lots of laughter!  

This is Llewellyn's 14th year volunteering at the Fair!  He started in 1998 when Kamalani was at Pūnana Leo preschool.  Even after our children got older, he has chosen to still volunteer his time each year for the entire Fair.  I am so proud of the work he does and his willingness to be a volunteer in our community.  I am also grateful that our community can come together at this annual event and it still feels like a "small town" affair!

Fall is here!

Fall has officially arrived!  In the Continental U.S. the leaves are changing color, sweaters and jackets are coming out of the closets, and the brilliant features of fall are visible to the naked eye.  Here in Hawai'i it's a little different.  The leaves do not change color and we're not quite ready to bring out our sweaters and jackets.  So how do we know that summer has gone and fall has arrived on an island like Maui?

First quarter of the school year is coming to an end.  That's my signal that fall is here.  We are preparing for fall break and there is excitement in the air, yes, fall is here.  I can see the Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, and other rides set up and ready for our annual county fair.  The food booths have been constructed and soon we'll be able to smell the delicious food of fall.  Traffic signs have been posted announcing road closures for our annual parade.  Fall is here.  The sun shines on my face earlier in the morning and our magnificent Maui sun sets a little sooner.  The nights are longer when fall is here.  Our family gathers around the tube for the Season Premiere of our favorite TV shows when fall is here and we have the blessed opportunity of hearing from our Prophets and Church Leaders when fall is here.

So, as you can see, fall is a little different on my island Maui.  But when you pay attention you can surely count the many ways that we recognize . . . Fall is here!

Blessings in Trials

Summer has come and gone.  It was a great 8 weeks off with my children and family.  We enjoyed every minute of summer.  As summer came to a close I found myself in a very scary predicament - JOBLESS.  My contract ended at Kalama Intermediate on July 24th.  I had applied for several different positions at Kamehameha Schools and in the Department of Education, but I did not get any of the jobs.  I even applied outside of the teaching field, but to no avail!  Talk about disappointment and depression!  I began to question everything and wondering what I was doing wrong.  I worried about our income, paying bills, not having medical and dental.  Through it all I was constantly reminded through prayer and counsel from family and friends to TRUST IN THE LORD.  To let go and let God place me where I needed to be.  But it wasnʻt easy.  The bills kept coming, we kept falling farther and farther behind and it created so much stress in our home.  We made lots of changes, moved in with my parents and downsized our budget dramatically.  With every change we made, Heavenly Father provided an answer to prayer both temporally and spiritually.  We got a van for $1100 and no longer had a $400 monthly car payment.  Plus, we could fit everyone!  Mom and Dad made a huge sacrifice and moved their bedroom downstairs so we could have all three bedrooms upstairs.  The kids qualified for 100% full medical coverage.  Then, out of the blue, a friend of mine called and said she would be leaving her teaching position at Baldwin and moving off island.  She asked me to apply for the Hawaiian language and hula position.  On August 1st I started my new job!

So letʻs look back at the events that took place and see how God was there through it all.  I didnʻt fail those job interviews, instead, the Lord closed those doors because He knew He had something even better planned for me.  My new job is a 5 minute drive from home.  I am at school with Kamalei, Kamaehu, Lamakū, Kaleohano, Knyte and Ruby - my kids!  I can help them immediately when they need it.  My classroom is a safe zone for any and all students.  The students choose to hang out in my room, have lunch, socialize, sing, play music, etc.  When Jayvaughn passed away, I was here on campus and able to help my own children as well as the students who mourned his passing.  When Lamakū got very ill with his diabetes and not allowed to leave the classroom, I was here to help him, get him the medical attention he needed and ensure that an incident like that would never happen again.  I have been able to get Kamalei qualified for additional academic services he has needed.  I can easily check in with teachers to check on their progress.  I am saving over $200 a month on gas.  I am teaching in a field that I love and feel most confident in.  I have a full block (70 minutes) of prep time.  The list goes on and on.  These are just some of the blessings.  The countless more that I cannot even recall.  The point is this - GODʻS PLAN IS ALWAYS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN ANY PLAN WE CAN MAKE.  We just have to have enough faith and patience to allow His plan to work in our lives.  I am so grateful for this trial.  I am thankful that through trials I am able to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and our family grows closer as well.  I am thankful that I now have a new found compassion for others who are or will be placed in the same situation and by sharing my experience, I can give them hope.

With God, all things are possible.