Happy New Year, Better Hawaii readers!
Rising out of the challenges of 2020, there are so many bright lights of compassion, generosity, and selflessness. I’d like to share my thanks for just a few of the wonderful people who have shared their knowledge, passion, and commitment:
Mahalo to Debbie Oliveros, Admissions Chair for the 2020 Sony Open in Hawaii, who organized volunteers, ensured we were trained, and made us feel appreciated.
Mahalo to Elizabeth Kent, an experienced mediator and proprietor of Meeting Expectations Hawaii, who taught me that there’s a name for the anxiety I sometimes feel while working in a counseling office: “vicarious trauma” or “compassion fatigue.”
Mahalo to Dr. Leonard Sax, author of “The Collapse of Parenting,” who gave a talk about evidence-based parenting and reminded us to “Be the parent!” Teaching children self-control and virtue should be every parent’s top priority.
Mahalo to Tor.com’s Ebook Club for giving away all four of Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries books in April – science fiction novellas about Murderbot, an awkward, sarcastic, unintentionally funny SecUnit who just wants to be left alone to watch entertainment serials who is motivated by the concern that “If the humans were dead, who would make the media?”
Mahalo to Anisa Wiseman, program director at NAMI Hawaii, for presenting webinars about coping with stress, such as writing down long-term goals, setting intentions for time at home during a pandemic, practicing breathing techniques, and creating a gratitude inventory.
Mahalo to Malama US Hawaii, a group of eight high school students who support and speak out about mental health. They presented an informative webinar, “Well Being Mana’o” with speakers Dr. Loretta Chun, who talked about the power of perspective and reminded us that optimism is a practice; Allison Silva, who shared her video poetry; and Dr. Maya Soetoro, who shared a River of Life activity and asked, what helps you cross the river from sorrows to joy?
Mahalo to performer and entertainer Henry Kapono, for sharing his music, his gracious spirit, and generosity to brighten our lives and support those in need in Hawai’i, through virtual concerts, the Henry Kapono Foundation, and supporting initiatives like the 2020 Census and honoring veterans, military, and their families.
Mahalo to you, Better Hawaii readers, for being open to respectful discussion, practicing optimism, and helping to make Hawaii better.
Who are you thankful for? What do you appreciate most about living and working in Hawaii?