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Spotting a gap in oncoming traffic, the driver slowed to a stop and waved a trio of cars out from a side street. Without the simple courtesy, those drivers could have been stuck for an hour awaiting a gap in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
This happened on South Kihei Road, where the construction bottleneck at Piilani Highway's roundabout project often spills over to clog the town's other north-south artery, but similar interactions play out all over this island every day. Waving people in, letting them turn left in front of us, seamless merging -- these have long traditions on this island. That Maui folks respond to gridlock with aloha is just one of the things that make us thankful to live here.
Maui County and its people face many challenges, but road rage, honking horns and single-finger salutes are the exception not the rule. Part of this self-editing no doubt comes from living on an island. It's a small place to be pegged as a jerk.
On a more fundamental level, however, the spirits of cooperation and respect for others are ingrained in island culture. Sharing aloha dates back to the earliest Hawaiians. As other peoples assimilated they offered up their own values. Just as Hawaii has appropriated the tastiest foods of those who moved here, it has also absorbed their more laudable ideals. Humility, inclusiveness, volunteerism and love of the environment are just a few traits valued here.
Out in the middle of the Pacific it is easy to take this cooperation for granted. We have friends and family from Mainland swing states who paint a different picture. They say political toxicity has seeped into everyday life, dividing neighbors and even families into blues and reds. Their airwaves and newspapers have finally calmed after nearly a year of negative advertising. Scorched earth attacks poll better than highlighting issues, so those are the ad campaigns they were barraged with.
We're thankful that style of politics has not found a footing in Hawaii. We saw a bit of negative campaigning in this year's primaries. Hawaii voters rejected it. Let's hope that remains the case. We would much rather hear what candidates are for than a litany of the things they are against.
We're thankful to every candidate who promptly took down his or her campaign signs after last month's election. There is no better way for a politician to show they truly care for this community, that they were not in it solely to promote themselves and their brand.
We're also thankful to everyone who plans to donate their time and energy this holiday season to help those in need. For many of these volunteers, the commitment to service is year round.
As the pace of life races back to pre-pandemic levels, the continued generosity of Maui's people is uplifting. It proves, once again, why the island is no ka oi.