Category: News and Views

Today Oprah Winfrey gave her first talk on Maui, a free event sponsored by HMSA and Sharecare. “Live Your Best Life” took place in the outdoor amphitheater of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. While it was a hot day under the sun and there was a lot of waiting for the main event, Oprah’s talk was ultimately inspiring and I was glad to have had the opportunity to see her in person. Expecting to hear more of an advertisement for the sponsors, I was pleasantly surprised to instead get a solid hour of stories from Oprah that spoke to the importance of embracing our own energy and purpose in the world.

Arriving at the MACC a half hour before the doors opened, traffic was backed up all the way to Kaahumanu Ave. The line of people waiting to get in snaked down the sidewalk and around the corner onto Kahului Beach Road, continuing to grow. I heard folks mentioning that they’d never seen this big of a crowd lined up at the MACC. Is there anyone more popular than Oprah?

As soon as the gates opened at 10:00am, the line moved pretty quickly and entrance was well organized. During the first two hours of the event, the crowd was entertained by live music and appearances by HMSA’s Senior Vice President and Trini Kaopuiki from KHON2 News.

Around noon, Oprah took the stage. She explained that she’d been encouraged by Dr. Oz to give a talk on Maui. Because one of her homes is here Upcountry, she wanted to reach out to her neighbors. While Dr. Oz and Oprah are both investors in Sharecare, an internet health resource and app, the talk was not focused on that. It really was a motivating collection of narratives that summed up her thoughts on how to live our best lives.

She spoke about how each of us can use our unique personality to “serve the energy of the soul” and find power in being a part of something bigger than ourselves. She talked about how everyone wants to live the highest, fullest expression of themselves as a human being. Using stories from her talk show days, she described how she came to believe so strongly in the power of intention. What you put out into the world is what’s coming back, and the intention behind every action determines the outcome. Deciding to use television to inspire people rather than being used by tv strictly for entertainment, Oprah found greater success and personal fulfillment. In her words, she wanted to “shift the paradigm,” and she encourages others to use their talents to serve a higher calling. “It will change your life,” she explained.

Talking of her days growing up too poor to have Christmas presents and of how the nuns from the church brought food and toys to her family, she shared the reasons that she wanted to give back and do positive things for others, like building the Leadership Academy school for girls in South Africa. She also told of the common thread found in all of her interactions and interviews with people from all walks of life…everybody just wants to know that they’ve been heard and that what they’ve said means something.

Oprah described how the thing that changed her life the most is gratitude. Focus on what you’re grateful for and it will change your vibration and frequency in the world. She let the audience know that what she really wants to hear about herself from others is that she is content. She concluded with a story of Maya Angelou telling her that she couldn’t know yet what her legacy would be. “Your legacy is every life you touch,” Oprah said, “You leave your hand and heart print on the world.”

If you and your family are thinking about vacationing on Maui, there’s no shortage of information on where to go or what to do here. You’ll find plenty of recommendations for the best beaches, nature hikes, scenic drives, and activities. What you might not find are some basic tips that can go an incredibly long way towards making your trip a happier and safer one.

I think after having lived here for twenty years, first and foremost to note is driving. Maui is an undeniably beautiful place, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed and distracted by the scenery. While driving, don’t forget the island is also home to over 150,000 residents who travel the roads every day and expect others to drive responsibly as well. As unbelievable as it sounds, I see people stop their cars or slow to a crawl on very busy roads every day, looking at the sights while trying to find their destination, oftentimes allowing their occupants to disembark the vehicle with their beach gear while traffic begins to pile up. Needless to say, this is not only seen as inconsiderate, but it’s also extremely dangerous. Traffic accidents and even road rage happen here just like on the mainland. With most rental cars having satellite navigation these days, not knowing where you’re going should be a thing of the past. You’ll have a much more relaxing visit if you map out your destination ahead of time, follow the traffic laws, and show some aloha for your fellow drivers.

The second thing I don’t see enough focus on is ocean and water safety. ALWAYS read every warning sign at every beach, stream, or shoreline sight. It’s also a good idea to go online before you head out for the day and check the local weather and surf forecasts. These will let you know if conditions are dangerous where you’re headed. If there’s any question at all about safety, you should always consult either the hotel’s information desk before leaving or a lifeguard wherever available once you arrive at your destination. I see tourists disregard signs and warnings from concerned locals every time we get waves, and almost every time they end up getting smashed on the beach by the surf. Remember, waves come in sets and it can be a long time in between the sets so DO NOT get lulled into thinking it’s a “calm” day. This is what most folks say they “thought it was” until they got hurt.

Another thing to remember is that water flows downhill, so even though it may not be raining where you are, there may be rain further up the mountain. Best to be aware and not put yourself at risk. We are highly subject to flash flooding and have several rescues every month of tourists who went into a situation without the proper information, and unfortunately folks have drowned trying to cross rain swollen streams. I’ve seen people stranded on the other side of raging streams and have even seen a person swept off of rocks into the sea. Be safe and have fun, but please know that the water can be unforgiving at times. Nature is not an amusement park ride.

Last, but certainly not least, is attitude. Maui still has plenty of aloha and all it takes to tap into it is a similar frame of mind. Be willing to share and be respectful of those who call this place home and you will always feel invited back. I have met the most wonderful, caring folks in the world here, and you can too. Maui has a laid back and unhurried style about it, and rushing around only means you’re missing out on what makes this place so great. Don’t try to do several different activities each day you’re here. Believe me, if you pick one thing to do every day, you are then free to really enjoy the experience without feeling rushed by your next activity and timeline. Your vacation should not be a race. Relax and live in the moment.

Just a few things to think about from my daily observations. Keep safety and aloha in mind when you’re visiting the island, enjoy the beauty of Maui and have the best time of your life!