One

Have you ever despaired that your solitary voice will never be heard, like the tree falling in the forest when no one is there to hear?

Have you and your friend or spouse decided to stay home on election day because the two of you, favoring opposing political candidates, will only cancel out each others’ vote?

Do you ever wonder if one person can truly make a difference?

Then consider Maui, son of Hina. When his mother complained that the sun moved so quickly across the sky that the fruit could ripen and the kapa (bark cloth) would not dry, Maui climbed to the top of Haleakala, the House of the Sun.

With strong ropes braided from his sister’s hair, Maui caught the rays of the rising sun and held them fast. The sun pleaded for life, and promised to move more slowly during the summer months. Maui released his hold on the sun, but left the ropes attached to remind the sun of its promise.

And that is why, in the evening when the sun is setting, the ropes (rays) can be seen binding the sun to the earth.