Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

The first sunrise of 2014!
I awoke early and headed to my favorite East side beach. I wasn't the only one with the same idea of seeing the dawn of this new year.

I watched hikers walking along the mountain trail with flashlights to get amazing views of this first day, and the beach I arrived at was filled with people. Tripods with fancy cameras lined the shore. Smart camera phone photographers (like me) were also ready to get the shot.

I snapped a few from the beach and then my sunrise paddlers and I set out in our  canoes heading East. Just a few minutes later the fiery sun slowly appeared above the horizon.

I couldn't help but watch its ascent through the low lying clouds... Breathtaking! Although, I was paddling a canoe and keeping pace for my fellow crew. Huffing and puffing we all ooo'd and ahhh'd as we continued our heading towards the sun.

Three canoes stopped in the calm ocean and I finally got to capture the beauty that has started off our new year. Happy 2014 everyone! Wishing us all an abundantly prosperous New Year! Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Love and Aloha,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
@mailemmm
HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com

Aloha 2013

Some years seem more significant than others. I won't pretend any were ever easy. If you aren't learning, you aren't growing.

Life is full of so many opportunities that inevitably we change. Nothing can really stay the same.

For me, this was a year to challenge myself. I jumped into adventure and signed myself up for the unexpected. I surprised myself! Not only did I survive it, I changed!

A dear friend once told me, that if something makes you uncomfortable, instead of running away, run towards it and embrace it. It feels like standing on the edge of a cliff and everything is screaming to turn around, but there is a whisper, and it just says, be patient.

Faith and hope can get you through anything. Courage is only realized after you've gone thru it. I wish I could say I was brave, but I was honestly terrified and doubt was always lingering in the background. I just chose to ignore it.

I have loved every moment of 2013! I have met some of the most wonderful people. I am truly grateful for every amazing person that has entered my life. I am honored to share any part of my journey with you. I wish you all many blessings in this new year!

With all my love,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
@mailemmm
HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com

Risk the Adventure

Living a grateful life takes practice. Each day is a new chance to just start your day off with a smile. Decide to be grateful and allow life to surprise you.

Wishing you many blessings always,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
@mailemmm
HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com

Warning for Parents

An unfortunate incident happened yesterday at the intersection of Kuulei Road and Kainalu Drive in front of the fire station in Kailua. A young boy on a bicycle was hit by a car.

According to my young son, who had just entered the crosswalk on his own bike, heard the collision behind him and turned to see the boy fly off his bicycle and land a few feet away.

The vehicle stopped and as he was uncertain what to do, he waited for the boy to get up, which he did. Then in a panic, as my son felt he was in danger in the crosswalk, sped home on his bike.

When he told me what had happened at home, his face was pale and he was really shooken up.

He is so young, I never thought I would have to explain what to do in an accident, but as it could have easily just have been him who got hit, I sat him down and did my best to explain what he should do and if he is witness to such a tragedy again, which I hope is never.

It's terrible enough to have to explain to kids, "watch out for strangers," and "watch for cars," "look both ways before crossing a street" (which he does, thank goodness), but to tell him what to do when something goes wrong. As a parent, I didn't want to say it or think it.

I checked the news feeds and paper and couldn't find any information on this incident, which makes me worry that this incident was never reported. I send prayers out to this unknown child, who my son described as possibly a fifth grader who may attend Kailua Elementary School and was wearing a red T-shirt. I truly hope he is in good health.

To the driver, as scary as what happened was, I hope you reported it yourself and make certain this child is okay.

Parents, we all have so much we still need to tell our kids. I wish he had known to render aid and get help. He was too scared. He didn't know. And its sad to say, but he was never too young. If he was old enough to ride a bike and be out there with the cars, I can't assume all drivers would be so respectful or cautious as I would hope.

Share your wisdom with the next generation. Give them the knowledge they need to tackle any problem.

Love and Aloha,
Maile Mitchell-Akita

Rainbow Days

I am living my life in full color! One of my more colorful days has to be this past Monday at the Color Vibe Run.

Wonderful friends and my older son, Kai who spontaneously agreed to go, made it the most fun day I have ever EVER had RUNNING. Yes, I admit it, I went running and I liked it.

The exploding clouds of color packets that almost made you believe that this might actually be what it's like if you ever could catch a rainbow.

Hundreds of other crazy colored people running alongside us, felt other worldly. Everyone was so friendly and happy, they would smile and cheer each other on. (There is a metaphor in here about life. I won't go inspirational quote on you here...but I know you get it.)

At the end of the 5k, the rainbow colored humans happily jumped, danced, and cheered at the rocking dance party as more cloud packets burst in the air.

Live your life in color, its so much more fun.

Smile, and send cheerfully honest love and support to everyone. It comes back to you, and at the end of this journey of our lives, you will be rewarded with your own rocking dance party!!!

Love and Aloha,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
@mailemmm
HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com

Almost Addicted

My boys have both started their adventures in outrigger canoe paddling. I'm certain I'm more excited than they are. 

The moment my older son got out of the canoe after his first practice, the grin that spread across his face, said it all. "This is awesome! My mom was right, I'm so happy she insisted I give paddling a try. She is the best mom in the whole world!" Okay, maybe he wasn't thinking all those thoughts, but a mom can dream. ;-)

I am thrilled that they actually like it. The first time I got into a canoe, it truly took me by surprise at how much fun it was. Of course, this is a team activity and good attitudes and a shared love of a wonderful sport you can do on the water together, makes a difference. Actually that is true in anything. 

Always look to the positive. It wastes your time to dwell on negative thoughts. Help others and live a life of compassion. That is the heart of any team player. 

If you wish for everyone to be better than you, and you help them achieve their best effort, your team does even better, and ultimately you benefit also. It's not about being better than anyone else, but about being the best you! 

There is no "I" in team! We all know this, yet, people create drama out of jealousy or poor thoughts. Give yourself and everyone else peace. And just help everyone! That does not mean telling anyone what to do, but showing them how. You create a giving legacy of paying it forward each time you share your knowledge and your gifts with others.

Hawaii Legacy Builder's, is founded on helping others achieve success by being a network of knowledgable and gifted individuals in many diverse fields of expertise. We help you find solutions and connect you to other people and networks, ultimately creating beneficial relationships with greater networks. 

We charge nothing, and if you need help, we are more than happy to offer our resources to helping you achieve success. Wishing you many blessings in every area of your life.

Love and Aloha,

Maile Mitchell-Akita

@mailemmm

HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com

Free and Happy

I proudly live my life as I choose. Its great others notice, but when people say negative things,  its always a reflection of themselves. Things they like about themselves, don't like about themselves, or jealousy.

I will not live my life in accordance to what anyone else thinks. This is my life and only I can walk my journey.

My personal battles are my own. Some wounds heal faster than others, but scars are reminders of what you have overcome. Wear your scars proudly and as they heal, your life will continue to transform as you wish it.

Be confident in yourself and live above the drama and continue your own journey. Only you can walk in your shoes.

People will enter in and out of your life. Every relationship, is always an opportunity to learn and grow. If drama arises, your reaction is the only thing you can control. Your life will only change if you wish it. No one can stop you from being who you are. 

Regardless of what anyone thinks, choose to live with gratitude in your heart and blessings will overflow in your life. 

For those that are living in drama, wish them well, for they are learning their own life lesson. Some are harder than others. 

I believe in the best you. Wishing you an amazing life.

Love always,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
@mailemmm
HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com