Remembering Fletcher Christian Volkmann

When telling Fletcher about one of our conversations going into a book someday, I asked if he wanted me to use his real name. Adamantly, he insisted I also use his middle name — “Christian!”

The following is a tribute to honor the life of Fletcher Christian Volkmann.

Sometimes, donations to Maui Rescue Mission’s mobile outreach for the homeless seem a bit absurd. But leave it to Fletcher to glom onto the ridiculous with a flare he could pull off with his eccentric personality. Sporting outrageous purple locks, with donated dye, this senior citizen’s thin gray hair was transformed.

Fletcher is another friend from Lahaina’s homeless community who died this summer. Volunteering at the outreach, I got to spend a fair amount of time with Fletcher as he performed his court-mandated community service hours.

During the COVID-19 mandates, many in the homeless community received citations for mask violations and shelter-in-place offenses. Obviously, compliance is impractical when homeless. However, Fletcher seemed especially gifted at getting into trouble. Bringing up his old age and health issues was usually his justification for misbehaving, but maybe it was his argumentative attitude, along with natural and artificial high spirits, that got Fletch into more trouble.

Knowing little about Fletcher’s past, what he did, where he came from, or if he had family, we mostly talked about what was currently going on in our lives. Conversations were short due to responsibilities related to our respective job assignments. Still, our relationship grew, and we were able to honestly express our thoughts and opinions. Conversing together with a pastor and the outreach director, Fletch asked if we all attended the same church. After learning we worshipped at different places, I interjected the important thing was we all believe in Jesus.

Usually, I stop at that statement. However, this time it came to mind to add, “Well — it’s more than just believing in Jesus; even demons believe that. It is that Jesus is God and died for our sins and we need to trust in Him for salvation.” Fletcher immediately responded he was going to pay for his own sins in purgatory when he died.

With a smile, I sarcastically replied, “What an epic waste of time and suffering then for our Heavenly Father to send His Son as a baby, to die on the cross, conquer death, and suffer the wrath of God for all the sins of the world just so you can go to purgatory and pay for your own sins.”

Our friendship was such to talk that way but continued seriously: “Fully God and fully man, Jesus willingly came down from Heaven to Earth. It would seem Jesus did a lot of suffering for no good reason if you can pay for your own sins. There is no way anyone could be good enough to do that and earn salvation.”

“Fletcher, only Jesus could do what had to be done to restore our relationship with God, so we can be forgiven if we repent and believe in Him. Jesus is the One who delivers us from Hell and enables us to spend eternity in Heaven.”

Worried my statements were offensive, the director tried to smooth things over. While he was talking, Fletcher jumped out of his chair and exclaimed, “I finally get it! I believe what she just said!”

Months later, Fletcher caught the bus to Kapalua to watch the Sentry Tournament of Champions’ golfers but ended up at Kumulani Chapel instead. Enjoying the worship and fellowship, he continued to go to Sunday church services there. Weekly, on Friday mornings, Fletch attended the Bible study led by Pastor John at the Lahaina United Methodist Church.

A life-lesson learned from Fletcher Christian is decisions have eternal consequences. Little did this homeless man know, months after choosing to believe in Jesus for salvation, he would be moving into his forever home with the Lord.

Another lesson: worldly transformations are as fading and effective at improving life as Fletcher’s purple hair.

Going into the new year with goals, hopes and dreams, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans)

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

The real story behind Harry and Meghan’s drama

There is a larger story the media is missing in the Harry and Megan saga. On the surface, the tension appears to be between a celebrity couple seeking more privacy, and a British press with other ideas.

The British press’s idea of privacy is very simple: “We pay. They pose.” The royals get public funding, so if a royal couple fails to provide sufficient access, the press asserts a right to whatever salacious speculation they want to drum up.

The monarchy’s view of the matter is equally simple: “Never complain, never explain.” They must show the tabloids some skin, but must never expose any stress or faction inside the perpetual institution. Harry and his mother complained about the ridiculous rules of collusion required by this illegitimate government system, and Megan did as well.

The royals only expose their clothing, their smiles and waves, their jewelry and military medals, their horses and palace walls, and their iridescent specialness — never the deep dynastic dishonesty and corruption within that creepy facade. That works for reporters, who only care to make bank by reporting surface matters and appearances.

Fortunately, our American ancestors abhorred the system of European kingship and required their presidents to never stay in high public office beyond one or two terms, and to disclose every important detail of their political lives to public view and criticism. It’s called democracy.

KIMBALL SHINKOSKEY, Woods Cross, Utah