February 14 is Generosity Day

While most people will be celebrating Valentine's Day on February 14, I will be celebrating Generosity Day.  Generosity Day is a one-day version of the Generosity Experiment that was conducted by Sasha Dichter.

According to Dichter, "Generosity Day is a day of practicing saying YES, because doing so will change you and change those around you...The goal is to spend Valentine’s Day being more generous, giving more money, sharing of yourself, and being of service.  All acts of generosity, small and big alike, count." 

Sigh...a man after my own heart!

Personally, for me, Generosity Day is every day.  But I can only speak for myself, so I hope you will join me in taking the Pledge to Participate in Generosity Day and help to make this world a better place. 

There are several ways to show generosity in Maui, these are the few that popped into my head at the moment:

• Give of your time and volunteer in your community


• Pick up that hitchhiker on the side of Hana or Haleakala way. I have personally done this a few times to the dislike of my husband. Not because he isn't nice but because he worries for my safety. Understandable.


• Respond to a homeless person's request for money. If you are worried about this person possibly using it for drugs (which, sad to say, can happen in any community), you can walk with this person to a nearby food establishment or buy a gift card from that establishment and give it to the person.


• Smile at every person you pass. You never know how rough someone's day could be going and by doing this you may have made it better even if for just a few minutes.

You can also help to promote this wonderful event by "liking" the Generosity Day Facebook page and promoting it on Twitter using the hashtag #generosityday.

2011 Stand Up For the Whales

Yesterday, I volunteered at the Pacific Whale Foundation's 2011 Stand Up For the Whales event. This athletic event is one of many events held during the annual Maui Whale Festival. Paddlers of any non-motorized craft which included kayaks, stand-up boards, and canoes paddled 3.2 miles from a beach in Maa'alaea to a beach in Kihei.

Other festival events that will be occurring are: 

• Run & Walk for Whales on February 4
• World Whale Day on February 18 featuring entertainment by John Cruz, Anuhea, Willie K, Hapa, and more.
• The Great Whale Count on February 25

For more information: www.pacificwhale.org

2011 Stand Up For the Whales, a set on Flickr.

Relay for Life

It's not too early to begin thinking about participating in the annual Relay for Life Central & South Maui.  Relay for Life is an overnight fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Three years ago, I formed a team and participated in this event in dedication to members of my family that have either  passed away due to cancer or who are current cancer survivors. I also did it in memory of my dog, Bully, who passed away from cancer a month before the event.

During the event, teams camp out on the stadium field.  The event is referred to as a relay because members from each team take turns walking (or in some cases, running) around the stadium track.  A team captain will usually schedule shifts to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to take part and also rest.  In the photo above, Central and Kihei had not yet combined and Kihei did not have a stadium track.  We walked on grass instead.

This is my friend, Becky.  Her father is a cancer survivor.

Normally, teams will collect monetary donations prior to the event.  However, teams also continue to fundraise during the actual event itself by selling a product or food item that may be purchased by anyone who is at the event.  Some teams will even set up games or craft areas. 

In addition to teams walking and fundraising, there is:

• A survivors lap
• A ceremony to honor those who have been touched by cancer
• Ongoing entertainment for the entire 12-hours
• Friendly team competitions such as tug-o-war

The following video will give you an idea of how raised funds are used.

In 2012, the event is scheduled for Saturday, June 30, 6:00 pm to 6:00 am on Sunday, July 1.  I hope that you will join me in this worthy cause.  For more information on how to participate locally, click on this link.

This post is sponsored by American Cancer Society.

Chrysanthemum Ball 2011

Last night we attended the annual Sons & Daughters of Nisei Chrysanthemum Ball for the first time in support of a friend's daughter who also got crowned as Chrysanthemum Queen.

The ball raises money for historical preservation projects of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center and for community scholarships.