Aloha! That means hello (and goodbye) in Hawaiian. As I sit in the Kahului Airport in Maui, I reflect on the amazing landscape that God brushed together in the islands so many years ago. It is true; this is a tropical paradise. Our trip started off a little rocky in Orlando as our plane got a pretty late start, and this meant we were going to miss our connecting flight. Annoyed, we trampled onto the plane with our multiple electronic devices in tow: my laptop (as I would have 10 hours to get work done uninterruptedly), my cell phone for texting my office-mate and clients, and our iPad for movies and entertainment. As we took a deep breath and buckled in for the announcements, we learned a horrible fact. Hawaiian Airlines does not have wifi. HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?! I peered frantically out the window to see if Fred Flintstone was piloting our aircraft with purple pterodactyls. Did I mention the flight was 10 hours and the seats were NOT in first class?

Let me rewind for a minute. We got to take a dream trip to Hawaii that was a gift from my job. Yep, you heard that right. My employer wanted to thank employees for our hard work and stick-to-it-ive-ness over the last two pandemic years. So, we were given five days/four nights in Maui that included flights, hotel stays, meals and spending money for 1,700 employees and a guest. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it, Oprah Winfrey!

Now, back to my first-world problems. We made it through the flight (although I am not sure how the world survived without me in touch and online for 10 hours) and then shuttled to the 4-star hotel. Our first couple of days had some wonderfully planned activities from snorkeling to French Polynesian luaus – you could say we were riding the incredible Maui wave! It was interesting for my hubby and I as we had quite the time people-watching. And it was apparent that Maui is where the infamous “other half” live and play. To fit right in, we engaged our best Mr. and Mrs. Howell accents from Gilligan’s Island and mingled with the upper class.

Our third day on the trip was considered a “free day” where we could just explore the island on our own. We took a car and marveled at the island estates that would make Shaq’s Isleworth mansion look like a shack! We stopped to hike, play in a waterfall, and hit a roadside store for “authentic” Hawaiian gifts. What’s a couple hundred dollars in the scheme of things? On our way back to the resort, we had to pull off and jump in the brilliantly colored azure Pacific Ocean. Our little adventure in the water happened to be at the site of the world famous restaurant called Mama’s Fish House. If you haven’t heard of this treasure, think of a Polynesian-style Bacán. Since we didn’t want to pay $150 for a sandwich and fries, we decided to ask a local for a lunch recommendation. Fun fact: All beaches in Hawaii are open to the public. So even if a private, uppity restaurant has prime beach views, anyone (like imposters from Florida) can enjoy the sun and sand. And it just so happens that off to the side of this incredible restaurant is an area that the locals flock to. We met a fourth generation iron worker/fisherman who comes to this very location throughout the week. He climbs up and down the rocky coastline and casts his tattered yellow fishing net. The food he catches today will feed his family tonight. 

And that’s when it hit me. We are the infamous “other half.” My first-world problems were really just the moanings of a spoiled girl. I am grateful for the gentle reminder that I am blessed in many, many ways – especially when I am throwing a fit about how I can’t get internet on a flight to Hawaii. I am grateful that my worth is not really measured by my bank account.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “A man’s true wealth hereafter is the good he has done to his fellowmen.” Let’s figure out how we can use our wealth for the common good. Live well, my friends.