When I joined the trail-clearing crew, Mabel was recovering from an operation so it would be a couple of months before I met her.  During that time, I became really curious about this woman!!  When decisions were about to be made, it seemed like all someone had to do was say  "I wonder if Mabel will like that" to get the crew to look down and fidget and doubt themselves.  Who was this woman who could strike such fear in HTMC club leaders?  I developed a mental image of Mabel – sort of a cross between an Amazon warrior and a machete-wielding truck driver with a booming voice, gruff demeanor and perpetual scowl.  Then one day, after a trail-clear, a sweet, petite elderly lady came up to me, gave me a big hug, and offered me a delicious homemade dessert.  When she introduced herself as Mabel, I laughed so hard! ........ But then I got to know her better, and I joined the fidgeters!  Mabel may have been a sweet grandmother and an awesome baker, but she was also a fearsome trail-clearer with amazing knowledge of – and concern for –  Hawaii's hiking trails.  She was someone you definitely did not want to disappoint.  I will miss her!      ~Barb Bruno