The Visible Vegan
Most vegans go about their lives doing little in the way of advocacy or activism. Stephen Beidner is a visible vegan.
Although rather mild-mannered and by no stretch of the imagination “pushy,” you’ll find Stephen networking at monthly Vegetarian Society of Hawaii lectures, leading the annual protest against the Makawao Rodeo, staffing literature tables at community events and encouraging restaurants to broaden their vegan options.
Coming of age during the Vietnam War era, he participated in anti-war and environmental politics and applied what he learned to promoting veganism. As a seasoned activist, Stephen understands the considerable challenges to growing veganism on the Valley Isle. “There are a lot of vegans on Maui who are not involved,” he reflects. “They didn’t come here to be involved.”
Stephen became a vegan 27 years ago while living in Sonoma County. Through a radio program and four-evening class, he became familiar with the teachings of pioneer vegan doctor John McDougall, MD. “It made sense, and I went vegan,” he recalls. “At the time, it was mostly about health, and then I started reading and listening to the ethical reasons, and there’s no turning back.”
For folks considering veganism but not there yet, Stephen has an idea about how best to transition: “Going slow may work for some people, but it’s better to do it all at once. You wouldn’t tell an alcoholic to drink on the weekends because you’ll never get rid of your addiction. Meat, dairy and eggs are addictions. If you don’t give it up all at once, you’re always going to have that taste in your month. You’re always going to be craving it. It’s best to go all the way for a month and see how it is.” Adopting a vegan diet, Stephen adds, should never be seen as a sacrifice. “This is the best food available.”
Stephen (blue cap) organizes the protest against the annual Makawao Rodeo.
Growing Veganism on Maui
After Stephen arrived on Maui seven years ago, he began volunteering with the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, putting up flyers all over the island to increase attendance at the monthly lectures, which he feels provide an excellent opportunity for networking and meeting new people. He also staffs literature tables at community events like Earth Day and the Senior Fair.
Five years ago, along with a couple of others, Stephen organized a protest against the annual Makawao Rodeo. Each year brings more protesters and increasing public support. “We get a lot of people who drive by and wave, smile and honk their horns,” he explains. “One time a woman came by and said, ‘I’m a horse groomer and rancher, but I just had to come by and tell you I support what you’re doing. I know what they’re doing in there. You’re right, and they’re wrong.’”
To make Maui more vegan-friendly, Stephen feels that new opportunities for people to experience first-rate vegan food are needed. He points to a spacious vegan sushi bar in Honolulu that looks just like any other sushi restaurant. “The people sitting next to me were from Honolulu. I asked them if they were vegan, and they said ‘no, we just like this place,’ which I thought was fantastic. It’s important for people to try vegan food that’s really good.
“Without disparaging any Maui restaurant, I would like to see a really, really good, eclectic, fantastic vegan restaurant. They’re all over the country. You’d think there would be more here. Someday someone will open one, and it will blow everybody away. You want to show people really good food, not just for vegans, but for others to try.”
If you want to share the enormous benefits of veganism – health, compassion for animals and environmental sustainability -- but are wary of public events, consider everyday activism, which can also be quite impactful. For example, Stephen finds that wearing vegan T-shirts can prompt positive conversations that open people’s minds.
Although many are not able to devote as much time to promoting veganism as Stephen, most of us could do more. As Gandhi observed, “You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.”