We’ve enjoyed your memories of Oprah’s amazing 25 year run.
The Queen of talk has touched millions across the world, inspiring people to make a difference.
The award-winning show is also credited with inspiring a local group that helps Hawaii’s visitors.
In 1993 Bakersfield College professor Chuck Wall came up with the idea of turning random acts of violence, into random acts of kindness. A year later he took it step further. "He came up with a book of random acts of kindness and then he was on the Oprah Show talking about this idea," said Bob Sigall, HPU professor and historian.
Millions were inspired by the concept including the Rotary Club of Honolulu which created the Random Acts of Aloha Committee in 1997. "In the first instance they honored four policemen who had gone out of their way to help tourists who were the victims of the crime here in the island," said Sigall.
The committee became the non-profit group, Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii or VASH. "Her show inspired the creation of this organization that helps 2,000 people a year who come to Hawaii and for some reason you know something bad happens to them while they’re here," said Sigall.
"We assist visitors from anything from losing their wallets, to getting sick to even death," said Jessica Lani Rich, of VASH. "They’re feeling a sense of loss. They’re feeling a sense of isolation. They’re feeling hopeless sometimes and we show up and we’re there to help and it’s a pleasant surprise to them."
VASH and its 120 volunteers have assisted thousands of visitors since its inception.
"The aloha spirit flows continually it doesn’t stop. It’s 24-7 and we’re there to help and whatever we can do we’ll help," said Joe Magaldi, VASH board of directors.
And to think, it all started with an idea shared on the Oprah show. "She has touched so many lives and the random acts of kindness, the random acts of aloha, continue here in Hawaii as well," said Rich. "You could call it anything you want call it the Oprah spirit, the aloha spirit."
"She doesn’t know that she inspired the creation of the Visitor Aloha Society in Hawaii and there’s probably dozens of companies and organizations and actions that kids of taken and groups that have been inspired to do things bigger than themselves – and she probably just is aware of a fraction of it," said Sigall. "She probably has touched more lives than she will ever know."
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
