The Road to Hana
I’ve been thinking about the Road to Hana, ever since a wonderful conversation with a mentor last week, and how it is the most powerful and fitting metaphor for the journey toward our purpose, advocacy, and life’s work.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Road to Hana on the beautiful island of Maui, it’s a 64-mile-long stretch of highway which connects Kahului to the town of Hana. It’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States, and it’s also nicknamed the “Divorce Highway” because of its high stress 600+ curves on the edge of cliffs, and multiple one lane bridges.
There is no way to rush driving the Road to Hana. In fact, if you google “Road to Hana” you will find countless travel blogs and websites sharing the top 10 things to do and not do when driving the stunning Road to Hana – the #1 being “do not try to do it all in one day” as the resounding #1 “not do!”
And when taken slowly, with the time to enjoy and savor each breathtaking view, waterfall and curve, the experience of taking the Road to Hana can be one of the most extraordinary experiences, too.
Our quest to change the culture of medicine, to make a better, more compassionate, and joyful practice of medicine for current and future generations of physicians and healthcare workers – especially women – is like taking the Road to Hana. At each turn, there are challenges, risks, setbacks, and slow one-lane bridges. There is no way to rush this work. By choosing to commit to this work, day in and day out, and to commit to our life’s work of service creating a healthier and more sustainable culture of medicine for generations of young women and girls to come – this is like taking the Road to Hana. It will take us a lifetime.
And it’s ok that it will. Because along the way, we find special kindred spirits, and like-minded, passionate fellow human beings, who want to travel the long Road to Hana with us, too. Together, we are creating the movement that will inevitably change medicine for the better. It will take us decades, and generations. It’s the long game. We absolutely are on the Road to Hana, together. I am filled with hope.
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