For the last couple of weeks I have been on the island of Hawaiʻi, another exceptional experience. I travelled there this time to visit newfound friends and to deliver a talk at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. But from the first day, this felt different from a holiday. I was invited in with open arms: not as a visitor, but as someone with something to share. That shift, from being welcomed to to being welcomed into, changed everything.
On the first night, I was taken to a Maisie Reka gig, where I also got to experience local Hawaiian artist Kumakaʻiwa Kanakaʻole. Her voice stirred emotions that felt raw and undeniable. Sitting in that seat, she brought a tear to my eye. I felt immediately seen. I may not have understood every lyric, but sitting in the power of her voice, the message was clear.
The land carries its own language. Standing at the volcano, I felt the reverence of ancient time, palpable, humbling. Looking into the crystal clear ocean where the moʻo hide away, you could believe the old stories were still true. Walking among trees that have watched centuries pass, I understood that the resilience I had come to admire wasn't something I read about. It was something I felt standing there.
Hearing the stories of the people of the land revealed the sheer resilience of a people who have fought to maintain and revitalise their traditions. But the biggest shift came quietly — through a conversation, a shared meal, a kind gesture. What surprised me most was the quiet confirmation that my work holds truth even across cultures. It travels.
And the food was phenomenal.
My travels are changing. They are shifting from simply taking photos and one-time experiences, to contributing, listening, and building genuine connection. This kind of journey often opens doors in ways we cannot predict. Hawaiʻi is becoming more than a destination for me — it is becoming a place of exchange, reflection, and growth.
Some paths do not reveal themselves all at once. They unfold through experience, through people, and through the quiet pull that keeps calling us back. Whatever this chapter holds, the journey is alive.
