This page I will use to post my "goodness" experiences that I feel merits mentioning.  There are 10,080 minutes in every week. It takes only one to uplift another person or show a little compassion to someone.  While there have been many jounalists in the recent past fabricating their stories, I have added video and names to verify my stories as to provide actual sources to my stories and experiences. 

It is so easy to forget how blessed I have been in my life and so I if I see an opportunity to show someone a bit of kindness I will post it here. I wish I had the means to help in a much bigger way. 

Many times in the past I have put together lunch bags and taken them to those without the means to take care of themselves. I might start doing that again. Years ago when I baked my own bread, I would make sandwiches with the homemade bread and take them to those living on the streets.  They never knew that the bread they ate was made by me....that made the experience even better for me.  However, today, I will use store bought bread because of the convenience and also because I don't bake anymore.   

Below is a video of a man sitting by himself outside of a Kihei McDonalds.  I went up to him and offered him $2.  His name is Greg and he was very appreciative of my small generosity.  

Oh, before I left this McDonald's another person in need came up to me and asked if I could help them too- I said sure and gave him some money.  He told me his name but I forget what it was.

I took a bus to Paia (a popular tourist town) to spend a little time there.  I met a man with my name "Frank." He was homeless and didn't have any money and came to me and asked if I could help him?  And I did.  Afterwards I did a short video. 

Below is Frank.  If you see him in Paia say hello to him.

Today is April 29, 2011 I spotted this man sitting by himself and I have just introduced myself to a man named Major and made a new friend.  He has lived on Maui 25 years and is from the Monterey area of California. 

It was very nice meeting Major and he accepted me with an open heart and we talked about how nice it is in Kihei, Hi. I wanted to offer him a few dollars but realized I only had a handful of change and offered that to him and he accepted my gift.  Maybe I will have the priviledge of meeting him again and offer him a lunch bag of food.

Below is a short video of our meeting. Be sure to pause the "What a Wonderful World" song on the left hand side of this page. I use YouTube only because these video files are large files and easier to view off of YouTube.

Today is May 5, 2011

I put together six bag lunches and wanted to find some people who might appreciate a lunch. Below represents the contents of the lunch I provided five individuals.  I had six to pass out but found only five people at this time. 

This lunch consisted of a tuna-fish sandwich; cheese crackers; hard-boiled egg; candy treat; and bottled water. Next time I will include fruit.  I ran into Major again and he was enjoying the park and he appreciated a lunch.  I handed out a lunch to three friendly people and then ran into a fellow sitting in front of a Safeway store who also received a bag lunch-he told me his name but I don't remember. 

Below is a video of my visit with my new friends.

Today is May 7

I started my run around 4:30 am and came across a man sleeping on a bench at the park I run at.  I asked him if he was OK.  When I finished my 8-mile run I asked him if he would like a coffee and donut.  There is a Foodland store right across the street so I went over to the store, purchased a banana, coffee and a donut for him.  On my way to deliver him this, I grabbed a couple of waters in my car and gave them to him.  

His name is Zach and he was so appreciative for the Saturday morning coffee and donut to start off his day....I didn't have my camera with me this morning but I don't need a camera to assist somebody in need.

This morning after my early 8 mile run, I met Scott and Zach.  Zach I had already met a few days ago.  Scott and his girl-friend had slept the night there at the park. I asked the young woman if she needed anything and she said no as she headed out of the park. I brought Scott a bottled water and he appreciated it.  I wanted to offer something more substantial but failed to bring anything with me other than water.

I saw  Zach again, he was sitting on the bench looking cold and tired.  I brought him two bottles of water and told him that if I saw him later I would have a lunch for him...I will see if he there at the park later.  He really appreciate the bottled water...

Today is May 15.  I finished my 8 miles run and ran into Paul.  I have met Paul before, in fact, he is someone who welcomed a lunch I was offering to those at Kalama Park.  Paul was collecting recyclable cans in the park. 

I went up to Paul and asked him how much money will he make today collecting cans and bottles and then redeeming at the recycling center?  He told me around 20 to 25 dollars.  He told me at one time he was able to make $50.  I asked him if I offered him $20 (that is all the money I had with me) would he like to take the day off and offer the cans he had already collected to someone else?  With a surprise look on his face he said sure and I handed him $20.  We talked for a while and it was sure nice to meet him again this morning.

It is hard work going around and collecting a bottle or a can with only a value of 5 cents and then taking them to a recycling center miles away to get that money.  So it was nice offering to give a man the day off from his work.  He really appreciated this offer and it was rewarding giving him the $20-  most importantly, I hope he took the day off from his daily job of collecting cans and bottles after receiving this money.

May 16

While I was walking into Foodland grocery store today I saw a young man going through the garbage can in front of the store.  I wanted to reach into my camera case to pull out some spare change to offer him.  I couldn't get my act together quick enough and so I just went inside of the store.  After I left the store to walk back home, I could see that he was down the road and walking with a large plastic bag container of recyclable cans/bottles. 

My walking pace was faster than his and eventually I was right behind him and I said someone loud "excuse me" and he turned his head back and I asked him if he could use a handful of spare change.  He told me yes and I handed him a bunch of change and asked him what is name is and he told me Erin/Aaron and I told him my name is Frank and wished him a good day traveling and finding redeemable cans/bottles. 

It appeared to have made his day for someone to take notice of him and offer him some money.

May 28

Today as I ran around Kalama Park, I noticed two people inside their sleeping bags sleeping on the beach.  When I finished my run they were getting up and out of their sleeping bags. I went up to them and asked them if I could buy them coffee and a donut at the Foodland grocery store.  They said sure.  I went over to Foodland and purchased them a donut, coffee and a banana and took it back to them.  I met Lisa and Matthew on this day and they really appreciated the early morning coffee and donut.  They will never forget the runner whom helped start  their Saturday morning on a positive note.

Today is June 12 (Sunday)

I started my run a little later than I wanted to-5am. As I ran I noticed a man hanging around the brick wall which runs parallel to the park.  I thought to myself that if he was still there when I finished my run I would ask him if I could buy him a cup of coffee and donut to start off his day.  When I finished, he was still there hanging out, and I went up to him and asked him if I could buy him a coffee and donut at Foodland.  He told me he drank mostly tea and appreciated my offer and told me no. He said his friend had left the island and also left him some belongings that he was trying to go through and see what he had.  After I realized he seemed to be able to take care of himself, I just started walking towards my car that was parked in the Foodland shopping center parking lot.  I guess today wasn't going to be a day for me to assist somebody in need.

As I as getting close to where my car was parked, I noticed a man laid out next to the brick wall which ran parallel to the park and closer to South Kihei Rd.  I started asking him if he was alright because I wasn't sure if he was OK- he had his face covered up with a hat and I didn't know what kind of a situation he was in. I was finally able to wake him up and I asked him if he was OK and if I could go over to foodland and buy something for him.  He told me he was just trying to sleep and also said he could use some water.  So I headed over to the Foodland store and purchased a liter water and 32oz powerade.  I took the water/beverage back over to where the man was laying and gave it to him.  I don't know what his name is but I sure hope he is OK.  Below is the Foodland receipt of the two items I was able to get for this man:

Today is Wednesday, June 29.  I started my run at 4:15am and ran at the usual park.  I spotted a person sleeping on the cement with a plastic bag covering his head over by the skate-board ramps.  I thought to myself that if this person is still laying there when I finish my run, I would go over to the Foodland grocery store and buy a banana, donut, water and gatorade and offer it to this person. 

This person was still there and I did purchase these items at Foodland.  With the store items in my hand, I walked over to where this person was laying and said to this person "Hello-good morning."  The person took the plastic bag off his head and said hi back to me.  I told him that I had some water, banana, donut and gatorade for him if he wanted it and he said sure and thanked me.  He told me his name was Tony and he wished me a good day.  He seemed like a very nice person and I hope him the best.

Today is July 15, 2011 and I went to the Queen Kaa'humana Mall to buy some vitamins.  I said hello to a man sitting next to the Sears outside wall, with a back-pack and sleeping bag.  I then decided to go over to the Foodland supermarket, which is a short distance from the Sears store, to buy a few food/drink items for this individuals. 

After I purchased the items I tried to get back to where I saw this man sitting, hoping he was still there.  As I approached the area where I saw this man, I noticed he was no longer there.  I walked around the front of the mall hoping I would see him but didn't.  Knowing that I wasn't too far away from the Salvation Army, I decided I would drive in that location knowing I would find somebody in need who I could give this lunch to.  Before I got in my car I spotted a man walking down the street with a backpack and went up to him and asked him if he could use a lunch.  He told me he could and thanked me for the bag of food/drink that I gave to him.  His name was Robby.  Below is the receipt....click on it to view the receipt-

OK- today I turned 50-years-old.  Excuse me, I mean 60-years-old.  I have been sick for a while and I am just now beginning to regain my health. 

Below is an edited/short video I started making today around 4am. It is a dark video because of being filmed early in the morning-but you can still see me running at this time.   After I took my vitamins and had a banana+juice, I went down to the Kihei park where I do my early morning running.  I am just now starting to get use to running again. 

It takes me longer to rebound from being sick than when I was a younger man.  Still, I ran six miles this morning at a slow pace-hopefully my pace will get faster in a reasonable amount of time-I just need to be patient and smart about my running. 

I haven't been able to assist others like I was the previous months because of being ill.  I think I acquired some kind of bacteria and it has taken me some time to rid myself of this illness.  Still, I will count my blessings.  

Today is Saturday, August 13, and I woke up around 3:45 am.  I went to the usual park where I run and noticed a person sleeping on the bench with his bike parked next to him.  I walked past him as I went to do a little stretching and ready myself for running.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to show a little kindness to this person if he was still laying on the bench when I finished my run- I hadn't been able to do this when I was sick for a couple of weeks. 

The moon was really bright this morning and I kind of struggled a little running the six miles.  When I finished my run the man was still sleeping on the bench and so when I walked past him I asked him if he was OK?  I didn't know.  He heard me and told me that he was OK.  I then asked him if I could buy him a coffee and donut to help start his day.  He told me yes and so I walked across the street to buy the coffee at the Foodland store. I purchased a coffee and donut along with a couple of other items he might want to enjoy sometime in his day.

I brought him the Foodland items and gave it to him.  I introduced myself to him and he had a big smile on his face after accepting the bag of items purchased for him.  He told me his name was Gregory.  He was the first African American I have come across appearing to be without a home or the basics while running at this park.  I hope he has a great day and I hope I helped him start off his day on a positive note.  Below is the Foodland receipt in a PDF form.

Today is the last Sunday in August.  I saw a man sleeping on the bench when I started my early morning run at the park.  He was covered up with some sort of blanket and I thought that if he was still there when I finished my run I would make contact with him. 

After my run and my after-run stretching, I approached this person and said hello to him.  He said hello back.  I asked him if I could buy him a morning coffee and donut.  He said sure.  Then as I saw his face, he looked familiar.  I asked him his name and he told me "Gregory."  I asked him if the two of us had met before and he said yes. 

He is a real friendly person and I didn't mind running over to Foodland and getting him a coffee, donut, banana and Gatorade.  I took it back to him and he thanked me for the bag of items.  This time he asked me what my name was and I told him.  There was another man nearby who also looked like he could use a cup of coffee but when he was asked if he wanted a cup of coffee, he told me no-thanks but appreciated the offer.  He knew Gregory and Gregory shared his gatorade and donut with this man. 

I am just glad that I can be in the position to assist somebody.  Then I made friends with the man waiting inside his truck parked next to my car.  He saw me running and told me that his wife and her friend were running down Kihei Rd getting ready for the Maui Half Marathon.  He was a friendly person who just happened to see me coming back to my car and wanted to make conversation with me.

I was in the Foodland shopping center on September 15 when I was approached by a young man named Jacob.   He asked me if I had a couple of dollars for a Maui Bus ticket.  I kind of looked at him and thought to myself that I don't normally give to these kinds of situations because I can to pretty much run to any location on the Island of Maui.  If a 60-year-old can run that far why can a young man probably in his early 20s.  But then again, I am a long distance runner and have been for nearly 40 years so I handed him two dollars so he could get the ticket he needed.  As he walked away he headed over to where the Maui Bus picks up riders so his request appeared to be legitimate.

I hadn't assisted anybody in a while so I thought that this was an opportunity for me to do something simple for somebody else.    

I have been troubled with a sore knee now for some time where I am trying to stay off my knee whenever I can...Regardless, it shouldn't have made it difficult to find somebody to assist.  I must confess that I have only assisted two people in two months.  I helped a man named Daniel with money for food while going over to the DMV to register my car....which I ended up not doing the re-register because of issues going on. 

Then yesterday, I was headed over the State Dept. of Taxation in Wailuku to take care of some issues there.  While my route to Wailuku from Kihei was taking the Highway 30 route which is the shortest route to this particular point.  I was probably five or more miles away from the State building in Wailuku when I noticed an elderly woman with a cane hitchhiking on the side of the road.  I passed her but thought as I passed her that maybe I should have stopped to pick her up and find out where she was going. 

So a mile down the road I decided that I needed to turn around and go back and see if she is still there and if she is I will offer her a ride.  I don't normally pick-up hitchhikers anymore like I used to years ago, but I thought this was one of those needs I needed to try and take care.  I get back to the place where I saw this woman standing and then noticed that she is now seated on a bench located to left of where I first noticed her.  It was a Maui Bus bench.  I drove my car up to her, rolled down my window and asked her if she needed a ride. She said yes and got inside my car.  I asked her where she was going and told her I would be happy to help her get there.  She introduced me to her (her name is Bea) and I told her my name was Frank. 

She told me she had missed her bus and that she needed to get to Kahului for an appointment of some type at 3:45pm.  The location was further away than where I was headed but looked at the clock inside my car and figured I could get her there on time and then get back to the State building on Main St, Wailuku, to address my issues before they closed on this Friday--November 18.  I thought the State building office I was going to would be open to at least 4:30.  

Bea and I talk and discuss the Island and how long we have been here and where we originally came from.  Plus, it turned out that she too had worked in the grocery business for a number of years and so we had something in common other than living in Paradise.  Anyway,  I get her to this Kahului location before she was late, wished her a great day and then headed off back to Wailuku to take care of my business. 

Well, all didn't work out to what I had expected at the State building because when I had arrived there at 4:00pm, I found out that this State office had closed at 4:00pm-0h well.  It turned out that my effort to get my business done was never accomplished on this day. 

However, it wasn't a totally wasted time going over to Wailuku because I had a chance to assist this elderly woman with a cane and get her to where she needed to be on time...

Maybe the only reason for my car taking me in that direction on this day was to find Bea and get her to where she needed to be at 3:45pm...