Heart of Honolulu: HONOLULU Magazine Staff and Readers Show Aloha for Small Acts of Kindness
Whether it’s a neighbor baking delicious banana bread or a stranger showing love to a loved one, our community is filled with stories of compassion, generosity and aloha.
Mahalo Mondays is a chance to say “tanks eh” to an individual who showed kindness, generosity and compassion in this challenging time. Tell us about a small act of goodness that you encountered or heard about so that we can share and inspire the aloha. Email us at staceym@honolulumagazine.com or tag us @honolulumag on Instagram or Facebook.
“My daughter’s friend’s mom, Milly Gilmore, made us homemade sweet bread and milk bread! This weekend, she made us two loaves of delicious banana bread she baked that morning (it was still warm!) along with Portuguese custard tarts that she knows my oldest goes ʻono for!! Mahalo nui to Milly and the Gilmore ʻohana for your generosity. Nothing says aloha more than the love you’ve shown us!”
—The Lipman ʻohana
“Mahalo to the Kupuna Kare of Farmer Fare program on Kaua‘i for delivering free fresh produce to vulnerable seniors who may have trouble shopping for groceries. More specifically, thank you to the driver who circled my mom’s neighborhood one Tuesday afternoon looking for her house. You were so patient on the phone with her as she directed you to turn right—no, left!—until you finally caught a glimpse of her standing in her driveway. You delivered the CSA box with such good cheer that it lifted my mom’s spirits. In these little ways the kindness of strangers can be a powerful thing. My mom laughed and told me this story twice. Thank you!”
(To volunteer or for more information about the Kupuna Kare program, go to kupunakare.com)
—James Nakamura, HONOLULU Magazine creative director
“My husband, who is a Honolulu Fire Department battalion chief, went to pick up his uniforms at Al Phillips the Cleaner in Hawai‘i Kai. When he went to pay for the dry cleaning, the employee told him that his bill was already paid for by an individual who wants to remain anonymous. The employee went on to say that the customer covered the payments for all the police and firefighter uniforms. My husband was surprised and very grateful for this kind gesture, especially during these times. So, to the anonymous customer, hopefully you’re reading this: Thank you!”
—Kerri Mokulehua, HONOLULU Magazine advertising executive
“My neighbor has been leaving oranges on the front steps of houses in the neighborhood, including ours, with a note: ‘I picked these with gloves and wiped each one with a Clorox wipe. We hope you enjoy the extra vitamin C.’”
—Carolyn Hyman, Hawai‘i Magazine advertising director
“Since I couldn’t go out and party to celebrate my 21st birthday, my family made the best of the situation and created a makeshift nightclub for me at home. Club Quarantina had the best bottle service in town (a shot of tequila for me and soda for my little sister) and its DJ (our iPad plugged into the stereo) was awesome. Even its security (my dad rocking sunglasses, a suit and tie on top and funky boardshorts on the bottom) was on point, checking my ID at the door. I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life. Their creativity and fun spirit made this birthday one for the books!”
—Lia Asato, student
“A big mahalo to three of my favorite Kailua shops: Olive Boutique, Oliver Men’s Shop and ChadLou’s Coffee Roasters. Despite being closed, all three brought a ton of sunshine and happiness to the community with the giant joyful rainbow mural that they painted on their storefronts. It stretches across all of their windows, pretty much the length of the entire block! My heart couldn’t help but feel full when passing by, although all were closed, knowing the love and aloha that went into it. Then, to spread their rainbow connection even further, they shared it on social media and encouraged other closed businesses to follow suit. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing cheerful ’bows popping up in windows all over the Islands!
—Brie Thalmann, HONOLULU Magazine managing fashion editor
“I want to send out a big, heartfelt mahalo to Ises Lipman and Taylor Kellerman of Kualoa Ranch. They connected with Honolulu EMS and will be offering paramedics early pickup for their CSA boxes, 10% off the price and a dozen free oysters. Helping the community has always been in Kualoa’s veins, but now more than ever, it’s really doing its part.”
—Stacey Makiya, HONOLULU Magazine fashion editor
