It’s an 11-year-old Ford Van. There are a few dings. Some scratches. The white paint is a bit faded. The interior shows signs of wear. But to Moses Hamilton, it’s a godsend. “It feels like I’m riding in style,” he
It’s an 11-year-old Ford Van. There are a few dings. Some scratches. The white paint is a bit faded. The interior shows signs of wear.
But to Moses Hamilton, it’s a godsend.
“It feels like I’m riding in style,” he said Sunday while taking a break from painting at Ching Young Village in Hanalei.
The van, he said, is perhaps the most wonderful of Christmas gifts, courtesy of the generosity of scores of people who contributed to a “Keeping Mo Mobile,” drive on the website, gofundme. About $23,000 was donated to the campaign to purchase a newer van for Hamilton.
The kindness touched Hamilton’s heart. He found comfort and strength in knowing that so many cared about him and wanted him to have dependable transportation.
“It made my whole year. It will probably make the next 10 years,” he said.
The 2004 Ford van arrived a few weeks ago following a lengthy search. After some brake work to get it fit for the road, the Hamiltons were in gear. Hawk often drives his son — seven miles from their home to Hanalei — and said it’s pleasure to get behind the wheel.
“It’s super duper, we are totally happy,” he said. “It just feels good.”
Despite some cold, rainy weather Sunday, Hawk and Moses were of good cheer. Business was brisk as people picked up his paintings for Christmas gifts. Several stopped by to chat with Mo as he worked on a turtle painting, and he did his best to greet them with a smile and handshake.
“I always have a good time out here,” he said.
But make no mistake, the man is an artist. His work is a slow, meticulous process, painstaking at times, because he doesn’t use his hands.
Moses sits in his wheelchair, painting with a brush pursed between his lips. A table nearby is filled with his artwork, Kauai scenes of sea turtles swimming, a sun setting, moonlight glowing, and crashing waves.
This is how he earns a living after he was injured in a car crash about 13 years ago on Kauai, and was paralyzed from the chest down. He has limited used of his arms.
“It’s almost like a podium for me to spread my love of life,” the 39-year-old told The Garden Island of his painting. “I get to do my art, and show that no matter how hard the obstacles in life, strength of will and perseverance, you can do almost anything.”
He sells mostly laser prints of his painting, “Mo’s Art,” and some originals. Weekends, you can usually find him at Ching Young Village, a tarp set up to protect him on those rainy days like Sunday.
Getting there, for a time, was a challenge.
The old Ford Ecoline van, an early 90s model, was in rough shape. Rusting, leaking and dented. The air conditioning didn’t work. And it was, frankly, not entirely safe to drive. In fact, it broke down last summer near the Hanalei Bridge and wouldn’t start again. When Mo’s dad, Hawk, was towing it later to their Kilauea home, the truck caught fire. It was a frantic scene as Hawk struggled to separate the vehicles and save the van.
“It was straight out of a bad movie,” Moses said, trying to joke about the situation. “All of the sudden, my dad’s car is on fire.”
That’s when the gofundme campaign kicked in. Nearly 200 people responded with gifts ranging from $25 to $500. Many posted notes, too:
“Dear Moses, It is an honor to support your artistic talents that we enjoy so much, by way of this fund raising event. It is with much admiration that we look forward to your new creations ! Thank you for sharing your Aloha spirit.”
Another wrote: “I consider it both an honor and a privilege to help you! Im glad I have gotten know of your journey and those who love you. It’s amazing what love can do and you’re an amazing man. Hugs!”
Enough was raised to pay for the van, ship it from the Mainland, and some repairs. They’re putting away any extra funds to pay for future maintenance.
The support overwhelmed the Hamiltons.
Moses posted a thank you on the gofundme site: “We can’t thank you all enough for making our Christmas a special one! Aloha and Happy Holidays!!”
The specialty van with tinted windows and stylish wheels and a lift to transport Moses in and out, is comfortable and safe.
“No longer when we go out do we have the risk of our van breaking down,” Moses said. “This one takes the the road really smooth. Potholes, it doesn’t feel every one of them.”
The air conditioning works and it’s mechanically sound. It should be good to go for at least another decade.
“Now, I’m in style and secure. It covered all the bases,” Moses said. “I feel like a kid in a sweet ride.”
Hawk agreed.
“This is fancy,” he said. “It’s really good.”
New, 2015 vans, with the lift and space Moses needs, run in the $50,000 to $70,000 range. That was far out of what they could afford or ask people to support. So they set their sights on a used model and found one on the Mainland.
It’s a thing of beauty, as far as Moses is concerned. But it wouldn’t have happened without so many people pitching in.
“I love it,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the fundraiser, I would be lucky to be on the road. It takes so much stress off the family. We don’t have to worry about it.”
And that makes for a very, Merry Christmas.
Info: www.mosesart.org
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
