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On Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, Courtney Baldwin, who resides in Potash Ridge, Alabama, shared some of her experiences at the Aloha Writers Conference. It was held in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.
Writers Conference
This first annual writers conference was held Jan. 18-21 at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua. Baldwin was one of the many volunteers at the event.
Although the conference ended on Jan. 21, the event’s retreat continued from Jan. 22-27.
Courtney Shares
How it all began for Courtney Baldwin.
View from RitzCarlton Kapalua
“I have a family member who is a writer and an author, and she told me about this January conference and retreat a few weeks before.
She offered that I attend with her. Also, I was asked to volunteer by Dr. Vicki Draeger, Conference Coordinator and Rick Ludwig, Volunteer Coordinator. I agreed to do both.”
Baldwin has dabbled in writing, so attending the literary event intrigued her.
“I have written a few online articles, I speak at schools, have a veterinary, engineering, reading and teaching background, and I am a literary assistant/manager to an author. Attending such a conference seemed exciting to me.
Courtney Baldwin
Of course I had never been to Hawaii, so that was exciting too!”
The young woman shared her responsibilities as a conference volunteer.
“Mostly I worked with other volunteers at tables set up for assisting conference attendees. The main thing I did was to help keep track of who attended what pitch sessions (speaking one on one with famous authors, agents or publishers). I helped organize names, dates and times.”
Volunteering at the conference was not the only thing Baldwin did while in Hawaii.
“I kept busy as a volunteer at the conference for two days. In addition, I attended one of their breakout sessions. I was fortunate to listen to well known screenwriter, Diane Lake.
Of course when I was not at the event I was enjoying Hawaii and meeting those who have lived there for many generations. It was great fun!”
Breaching Whale
Being a Tourist in Hawaii
Finding fun things to do in Hawaii was not difficult for Courtney Baldwin.
“When I was not working at or attending the Aloha Writers Conference I was busy having another kind of fun.
Some of the things I did while in Maui were taking a boat excursion to see humpback whales, enjoying Hawaiian cuisine, meeting locals and learning much about Hawaiian history and culture both in Kapalua and Lahaina. I also visited other surrounding areas.”
Making Lifetime Friends
Courtney not only enjoyed the sights in Hawaii, but she enjoyed the people too.
“At all the locations I visited I made many new friends. I think they will be lifetime friends at that!”
Aloha Writers Conference Made Possible By…
The Aloha Writers Conference and Retreat were made possible by the joining forces of Dr. Vicki Draeger, Keiki O Ka’ Aina Family Learning Centers and multiple others.
Thanks goes to the conference staff and to Courtney for sharing.
World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.
A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.
In a landmark move for Somali sport, the National Olympic Committee of Somalia (NOCSOM) has launched its nationwide youth sports development program in Garowe, the capital of Puntland State.
California's economy grew at a 3.7 percent annualized pace in the first quarter of 2026, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data released by the Governor's office.
The Defense Health Agency has implemented a new testosterone-deficiency screening policy for male service members, creating one of the most notable changes to military men's health screening in 2026. Under the guidance released in September
