For many people, retirement is one of life's more traumatic passages. For decades their identity has been defined by a career. Who will they be when that identity is put in the past? Other folks can hardly wait to retire, champing at the bit to pursue a passion. Sometimes they even manage to turn their passion into a new career opportunity. Meet some Honoluluans who have found the secret to a happy second act.

LYNDA SAKRAIDA

Formerly: district sales manager, L'Oreal

New passion: handbag design, Hadji Baba Bags

Retirement is: "like being reborn!"

Sakraida, of Tantalus, loved her challenging 23-year career as district sales manager. However, she also had an engrossing hobby, making one-of-a-kind handbags, and she yearned to devote herself full time to designing and sewing. On the day she qualified for retirement benefits, she retired. Now her handbag business, Hadji Baba Bags (named after her beloved bird), is not only a passion, but a rewarding new career.

While many of Sakraida's former co-workers fear there will be no life after L'Oreal, Sakraida is a cheerleader for post-retirement careers: "I've had people tell me they're afraid to retire, but I tell them, 'No, it's where it all starts.' "

Her secret? "You need a support system and involvement and interests. I had so many interests I just couldn't work any more, because I had too many other things I wanted to do. My heart wasn't there. I knew I just wanted to sew."

Of course it helps that Sakraida has a marketing background. She knows how to brand her business. She doesn't want to be in department stores or even a plethora of boutiques. Instead, she is pursuing gallery shows, trunk shows and a select handful of boutiques (including the Honolulu Academy of Arts gift shop and SpaHalekulani), which won't tax her ability to supply them with bags.

BARBARA EDELSTEIN

Formerly: administrator, Shidler College of Business, UH-Manoa

New passion: jewelry design

Retirement is: "not really a transformation, it's an evolution."

Edelstein, of McCully, said her job was strictly organizational. She satisfied her creative urges by making unique tapestry and bead necklaces for The Gallery at Ward Centre. Her retirement has meant a segue into full-time jewelry making.

She now has time to learn other techniques, such as Japanese kumihimo, that contribute to her skills as a jewelry maker, and to explore new crafts and art forms.

Edelstein's advice to prospective retirees: "Develop something they can do even on a small scale while they're working so they can devote more time to it when they retire. Just see where it goes. It could be just for their own pleasure or it could be a marketable skill. You have to be exploratory to try to see your skills in other ways."

DAVE DEVENOT

Formerly: consultant, Hawaii Employers Council

New passion: painting

Retirement means: "I just moved on to something else."

Devenot, of Kapahulu, was a consultant for 38 years. About six years ago he began painting. For him, retirement means more time to paint. "Now I have time to experiment with subject matter that I didn't have time for before," he says.

He is also taking more classes, as well as adopting a business approach to fine art. He bought a new computer and is learning to set up an inventory and a Web site. He even rented a storage locker where he can house his paintings so he doesn't feel pressured by space concerns.

Devenot's advice to prospective retirees: "Have a pretty good idea of what you want to do before you retire. Prepare for retirement so you can step out of business one day and into your next move on the next day. Don't wait until you retire to decide what you're going to do. You can't spend too much time playing golf and watching TV."

LYNDA CARIS

Formerly: flight attendant, trainer and manager for United Airlines

New passion: jewelry design, Muse IX Designs

Retirement means: "spending more time doing what I love."

Caris, of Makiki, worked for United more than 20 years. She could have, and would have, continued except she was impatient to pursue her jewelry business, Muse IX Design, full time.

Caris always considered jewelry a business, not a hobby. Retirement offers her the opportunity to continue to travel to collect gemstones and beads around the world and to spend more time with Muse IX.

"I don't have a lot of anxiety about the business because I feel good about what I'm doing, and I don't feel pressure to produce more," she says.