Through the fog of tourism, gives light to thy neighbor….
One word…. actually, one acronym, COVID19. One year, 2020; and I have already painted a pretty clear picture in your mind. This year has not been easy! Our hearts go out to any family or person impacted by this terrible virus. I have always been the “glass is half full” kind of person, so here are our silver linings.
Although this year has been terrible in so many ways. It has also given us one of our most valued treasures! Our neighbors and the Haiku community! Being a grocery store we were deemed an, “essential business”. We were so fortunate to be able to remain open, our hearts broke for the many small businesses that were forced to close or even go out of business.
Our family worked many hours during this difficult time to try and get supplies out to each of you. During our time in the store, we heard countless people make comments like, “we didn’t even know you were here!”, “I haven’t been in this store since it was the old video store”, “I had no idea you carried all of this great stuff!”. COVID forced people to look at their closest resources and perhaps think twice about going into larger stores. We were able to meet so many more members of our Haiku community, and humbled to still maintain those relationships even after the world is trying to return to “normal”.
The people of Maui got to see the most treasured spots through a new lens. Frequented tourist destinations were ghost towns. You could hear waterfalls as if for the first time when they weren’t being drowned out by the sound of people’s voices. Community and aloha gave deeper meanings to our neighbors and the residents of the island of Maui. People waved at the fewer cars traveling our roads and there was a more genuine sense of kindness and appreciation.
This is how I choose to remember this year. Thank you to our Haiku community for your trust and loyalty during this difficult time. And to our tourists who are retuning, thank you as well for contributing to this island and the people. We look forward to seeing each of you in the days to come. And as for COVID….see ya later, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out! Bye Felicia!