As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up in Hawaii and one of the things I love about the islands is the “Aloha Spirit.” It’s something that’s hard to define, because it can mean so many things, but it’s primarily about how kind and giving people in Hawaii are. If you want a great example of the Aloha Spirit, look no further than Denise Sakai.
Sakai, a 35-year-old hairdresser in Honolulu, was reading the newspaper and saw a story about Gregory Reese. Reese, 39, moved from Seattle to Hawaii in May for a job, but when the job fell through, he was without a home. He’d been living near the airport, getting meals and clothing at area churches. Recently, he’s been desperate to return home to be with his ailing father, who has lung cancer. An article in the Star Advertiser on Tuesday noted how State Rep. John Mizuno was giving $100 of his own money to help pay for a one-way ticket for Reese, and Mizuno wanted others to help.
Sakai was on a break at work when she saw the article and instantly knew she wanted to help, so she bought a $300 ticket for Reese by herself. As she was quoted on KITV.com, “There was no hesitation. I put myself in their situation and if I was in need, I would want them to help me.”
Before boarding the flight, Reese called Sakai, thanking her repeatedly, but it was Sakai who sounded just as grateful. “It’s an unexplainable happiness that I wish other people would extend. I just wish more people would pay it forward.”
Photo by jerine via Flickr.