KEY POINTS:
To the locals it's already The Island of No Problems, but Waiheke's reputation could go global with best-selling author Mitch Albom planning to set a novel by that name on the island.
It's all thanks to a chance meeting that has turned into a firm friendship, the American sports columnist and writer told a Herald-Dymocks book function in Auckland this week.
Albom, author of the 11-million selling memoir Tuesdays with Morrie, invited Waiheke friends Kevin and Robbie Martin to hear him talk about his latest book For One More Day, a story of making the most of the moments we have with those we love.
Albom then let the Martins and the audience of 200-plus into his novel plans - which he hasn't shared with his publisher yet - saying he's had the idea in mind for some time and would want to write at least some it while staying on Waiheke.
"There was a reason for Morrie, there's a reason for Kevin."
The dapper and diminutive author met the big, bearlike, rumpled real estate agent fresh off the ferry seven years ago. Kevin offered him a ride from Matiatia up the hill. It turned into a two-hour tour and the author, thinking he'd hopped into a taxi, was starting to worry about the fare. But he'd just struck a friendly local.
Kevin says he often offers people who've missed the bus a ride and they just got yarning, so he kept driving.
Goodbyes were said and cards exchanged, but what sealed the friendship was when Kevin rang Mitch after September 11 to see if he was okay.
As Kevin says: "If it hadn't been for September 11 we would probably never have made contact again." The message so touched Mitch and his wife Janine that they rang the Martins back. Visits followed and so came introductions to "real Waihekens" - people Kevin introduced him to.
"Kevin knows everyone, tells their life stories."
Albom reckons the two most spoken words on Waiheke must be, "Hi Kevin".
He's become fascinated by the area's history and says it's main appeal to him is "the people, more than the scenery - though it's very beautiful".
"People over there were so great to us, they treated us like family."
Kevin says he'd never realised until attending the Herald book event, the extent of his American friend's standing.
Among Albom's many fans queuing for a book signing was Fair Go presenter Kevin Milne, who said of his latest release For One More Day - "there's not many books about the mother-son relationship".
The regard is mutual: "I don't think I've ever met a real estate agent like Kevin, who doesn't try to sell you something."
Albom has noticed the slow yuppification of Waiheke since his first visit, but he still thinks of it as a place apart.
"We've discovered some amazing coves and beaches along the way."
But The Island of No Problems?
"Well, that's because everyone is looking for somewhere like that.
"Of course, it doesn't exist ...
So perhaps his Waiheke real estate agent may yet make a sale, though Albom observes: "If I buy something he won't let me stay with him."
