Kaua‘i Creating Miracle Holidays

By Virginia Beck

Mark Cooper of Kaua‘i Skate Ohana is seen here coaching children at the Kapa‘a Skate Park. Photo by Léo Azambuja

Kaua‘i has always been the space of miracles. One can only imagine the joy of the first voyagers who sailed across the entire Pacific Ocean from Oceania, to find such a magical land fall. Even today, anyone who arrives can hardly believe their eyes.

The fragrant breezes, cooling the near tropical heat. The moist air flowing down from the green ridges behind the coastal lands. The abundance of flowers, leaves and fruits, and then the beauty of the people.

We are such a mix of ethnicities here, the best of every culture, local residents and pure Hawaiians.

As more people flow into our island, more miracles occur. Such a hard couple of years for those who live here; livelihoods, businesses, families torn apart. Many had to leave to survive.

Many had to suffer to stay. We all tried to help each other.

The outstanding miracle of Kaua‘i is that we care. We are the safety net for our communities.

Individually, we can do a little. Together, we can create miracles.

So many have given their all. And the Hawai‘i Community Foundation has really stepped up to join with key local organizations to make a difference. Funds from the Chan-Zuckerberg Foundation and Mackenzie Scott Jewett (formerly Bezos) have helped to bolster the Hawai‘i resilience funds.

Food insecurity has soared due to fewer jobs and closed businesses, but generosity is making a difference. Especially just now.

Another miracle is Mark Zuckerberg’s donation to the Trust for Public Lands to purchase and protect the 600-year-old Alakoko Fishpond, also known as the Menehune Fishpond.

For years, Mālama Hulē’ia, a local nonprofit, has been working hard to restore the native wetlands, removing the invasive red mangroves, which choked the Hulē’ia Stream and the Alakoko Fishpond, endangering native species of fish, birds and limu.

So many miracles. Slowing the spread of the virus. Vaccinations, and then boosters. Scientific miracles to test for immunity. Science to develop home tests, then vaccinations for Smart Travel so we could reopen.

Miracles of federal funds to assist families in making ends meet. Miracles of bolstering the spirits of the unemployed. Miracles of folks improvising and creating services and foods, and vegetable farms to feed us all.

Miracles of senior shopping hours to protect the vulnerable. Miracles of support and funding for our overworked, understaffed health care workers, from physicians, other health care providers, and all the culinary, facilities, custodial and supply support.

Miracles of charity, generosity and caring for each other. All the nonprofits were challenged to find ways to fund their programs and keep their staff employed. Miracles of collaboration.

Virginia Beck

Miracles of dropping right and wrong and politics, to focus on the important, urgent work of making sure we take care of each other.

If we each take care of those around us, and each of them takes care of the ‘ohana around them, everyone gets taken care of.

So as the Ambassadress and Benevolent Dictator, of our Aloha Island, I challenge you all to create a miracle for someone every day. It doesn’t have to be big. Even small miracles count.

Go out and tip BIG, shop local, and be kind. You never know who is really hurting inside. Your smile could be the miracle of their day!

Aloha is always the perfect attitude for a Miraculous Day!

• Virginia Beck, NP and Certified Trager® Practitioner, offers Wellness Consultation, Trager Psychophysical Integration and teaches Malama Birth Training classes. She can be reached at 635-5618.