Imagine a world where we could all just do what we really want, where we could earn a good living based only on our passions. We’d all be happier on a universal scale – there would be less struggle, probably even less war and hunger.

It’s a desperately altruistic thought. There will always be jobs that no one ever wants to do, yet have to get done. Never mind the responsibilities that grow with age, which often mean sacrificing one bit of happiness to attain another.

I bring this up today because of Curtis.  He is one of the very few people I’ve met in my life whose all-encompassing devotion for his profession was so evident and motivating. I’ve talked before about how I never grew up knowing what I should do with my life, and my jealousy of the people who clearly had gifts they put to good use.

Curtis has a distinct gift. He was born to be on and in the water.

His work is inspired. Originally from the mainland, Curtis followed his passions to this island, and shines doing the work he was born to do.

He is a free diver with lungs of steel and a photographer’s eye. Not only did he expertly guide us on kayak ahead of all the other groups to the best spots to see turtles, lava tubes, and more, but he went out of his way to capture and share the very best of our experience.

Maui, on its own, is a divinely special place. There is a ceaseless cool breeze to moderate tropical temperatures, soft bites of perfect beach nibbled into the coastline, an exciting and renewed focus on sustainability of their Polynesian roots. The people embody a true “aloha spirit” – whether they are Hawaiian natives or transplants who revel in their newly found paradise because they’ve found their calling to do so.

Curtis is one of those people. To get even a small glimpse of his “daily grind” was an absolute pleasure. (And made me a wee bit jealous as well.)