Room By Room

When we moved from Eureka in Humboldt County, we left a wonderful network of friends who wanted to share in our excitement of setting up a new household. 

So, that's when we began taking pictures of what we bought and how we set things up. Now those photos are proving more helpful than we ever imagined as we attempt to compile a list of personal items we lost -- room by room.

In some ways, the process is both emotionally painful and, oddly enough, therapeutic at the same time. While Phil is out buying new tools with Home Depot gift certificates from generous contributors (thank you one and all!) my job is to work on these room-by-room lists -- trying to recall where we bought what, hopefully recall the brand, manufacturer or model. 


Unfortunately all our records, statements, receipts and warranty files were all lost in the fire. At least I can use the internet to establish some reasonable guesstimates on prices. 

It has now been over 15 days since we filed our claim, so we are hoping to hear from them soon -- one way or another. Things insurance won't cover are all the lovely antiques -- two kitchen tables from each of his grandmother's. A blanket made by my great-grandmother that was made with wool from her own sheep, carded, spun, dyed and loom woven. Or, all the wonderful masks and art from countries all over the world, collected over our 32 years together, including wedding rings. We have our memories of these treasures -- and we have today, and hopefully tomorrow to begin again.

And Another Loss

Today is a sad day for us.The stress of relocation not only affects humans, but our beloved four-legged family members as well. 

We are so grateful for our temporary housing situation here in Kea'au, but the additional stress of so many dogs and neighbor dogs as well has been too much for our Tu-Tu girl Reba, who we nicknamed Reba-Bo-Beba. Today she will be moving back to her original family in Captain Cook who love her and will take good care of her. 

She has never really "played well with others" and there have been scuffles in years past, but this has placed too great a strain on all of us. She will be in a beautiful setting with lots of grass and trees and a place that will smell familiar to her.

A good friend offered to pick her up at our place and take her to her new home for us. After our final goodbye, we decided that a trip down to the ocean would be in order -- and, it matched our mood pretty well. Grey clouds scudding across the sky -- rain dripping down the windshield and the ocean -- the slate color of tombstones.

Listen to Our Morning Prayer

Aunty Pua Kanakaole Kanahele -Chant

One of the reasons we chose to live and remain here -- on this living land.

And, to see what Haysmer's Infamous Fissure #8 is still doing:
The Fissure #8 current activity

Facts: "Pu'u Luana" (as we are calling it) is producing 6-9 MILLION cubic meters per day.

Scientists report that this is 15-25 times the rate of flow when Pu'u O'o erupted over 30 years ago.


Learn more about the Hawaiian cultural reverence for the land and Pele Family:
Learn More:

One Month Later

Phil looking at "Magma Chamber"

Looking back -- one month later. Time has a different dimension and life has radically changed shape, not only for us, but for hundreds of friends and neighbors. While we did not have the emotional fortitude to attend Wailoa's "First Friday"  open house, (on June 1st) yesterday we managed to gather enough courage to go see the piece Phil submitted for their current  juried exhibit "State Wide Annual All Media."


The reason for the delay in attending was because a month ago our house burned and a few days later was covered with lava -- including Phil's piece entitled "Magma Chamber." Wailoa Center graciously offered to use a photograph of the piece and frame it -- in order to include it in the show. Of course we wanted to see it.

As we approached the piece, I took a photo of Phil as he stood looking at it, but I did not realized until we returned home how aptly it illustrated or how dramatically it captured how we both feel about our loss -- one month later. It feels like everything we have built and known has been "framed" for us to look at -- look back at -- as though it is hanging on a wall -- and we are standing in some vague shadow at what was our life.

On the other side of that loss is the amazement, wonder and beauty of the earth's own cycle of destruction and creation witnessed in the graphic images being documented and shared around the world. Like other friends and artists we meet, we feel that we stand on the edge of this awesome process, and if there were a "prayer" it would be that the overwhelming pain we feel at our personal loss will eventually subside and something new will be created as emotions, like the lava, cool and we begin to envision a new life and path ahead -- one month later -- one year later.

Practicing Normality

Our healing view of ocean from yesterday's outting

In the midst of the obvious chaos of our lives, the last couple of days we have tried to focus on "practicing normality." Attending to the business of medical tests, making doctors appointments for Lunel's health and well being, getting insurance forms completed, working with inspectors, adjusters and -- buying underwear and a toaster oven...life has been a bit crazy.

Our new Hawaiian host family have been unbelievable gracious in letting us share their kitchen for group meals and we have been taking turns with prep and clean up. Phil bought a dog pooper-scooper and walks the 3/4 acre property doing doggy-duty -- for a total of seven furry family members. They have nearly completed an additional 300 sf of screened in space that allows us to have some fresh air in our tiny room -- so we six (us and corgyn) are not all so tightly packed.

Yesterday, our Exercise In Normality was to drive down to the ocean -- NOT an area where lava is involved and set up chairs and just b-r-e-a-t-h-e in the fresh sea breeze. The dogs are used to a full one acre area to romp in, but here, we are taking them out every couple hours for a walk around the grounds which include a small hydroponic garden, small orchard and surprising sprays of orchids.

Lunel in bottom left -- surrounded by all her girlfriends

If you are visiting our BLOG for the first time -- the latest images of the corner of Leilani and Luana (where our house was - scroll down a few entries...) is now a 20 foot deep lake of lava. (we are not putting those on this blog entry again) In the last few days 200' foot high fountains of molten lava have been shooting up right at what was our corner of Luana and Leilani. Lava continues to follow its own course covering acres and homes on the way to the ocean.
Link #1 to our corner of Luana and Leilani 
Link.  #2 what was our corner Luana & Leilani.

FOR NOW: Although we are homeless, living out of a few bags and boxes, we have been the recipients of amazing generosity -- clothes, gift cards to Home Depot and Amazon and the Go-Fund-Me account that was set up for us by Astra (present owner of Many Hands in Eureka.) Lunel was gifted with a small box of jewelry which she wore on Tuesday night to her "Girlie Girl" night -- a tremendous support network for her.

A New Nest

Yesterday we marked 32 years together, and considering the rather grim previous post, we just wanted to update our blog with something special and positive. Phil took my hand and told me that he had sometime to show me, so we walked out of our cozy small apartment onto the lawn along a row of palms. 

He pointed to a fallen palm frond and there was a bird nest. With all our jewelry -- Phil's dad's ring, my grandma's engagement ring -- our wedding rings to mark mark our 32nd anniversary all buried now under lava, it is especially lovely to find this symbolic gift. Now, together we will find a way to build ourselves a new nest.

Right now we are floating in a sea of ambiguity -- health, housing, insurance, trying to see the way through to a new reality. We have filed our insurance claim, and for now that is all we can do. After 32 years of creativity and problem solving -- some of the answers will just have to come in time. Thanks for your love, prayers and support.  

Lava -- Too Close for Comfort

The photo here shows just how up close and personal this experience has been for us. Our house (the white rubble to the far left) is what is left after it burned a few days before this photo was taken. The homes near the bottom right corner belonged to a beautiful Hawaiian family and other good neighbors -- all now under lava; family now relocated or living with relatives or friends.

Hard to believe that only a few days ago, Phil was sitting by Lunel's bed in the hospital waiting for her to come out of a coma from a seizure she had 12 hours BEFORE the fire began. Despite what many tests, MRI, neurology, etc. may show, isn't is just possible that Lunel's deep connection with this land somehow realized she did NOT need to witness this part of the destruction/creation cycle?

Maybe you've already seen enough footage and images of lava -- up close. The voices of the people in the video (linked here) seem to expressing both wonder and amazement at the power and beauty of "being there" up close and personal. For us, it represents a different kind of "personal."  LINK: Up Close VIDEO

Living Land

From "The Atlantic" - Lava crosses the land

Aloha from Phil and Lunel -- While we are safe if not completely "sound" we are still in shock as are many of our homeless friends and neighbors.

Remains of house after it burned.

Pictured here is an early photo of what was left of our home and property after it burned. days before lava covered it. Today we filed our insurance claim. Our four corgi dogs are with us sharing a home filled with aloha (7 dogs and 7 people) and everyone is doing the best they can.

We are stunned and grateful for the outpouring of donations we have received: on the Go-Fund-Me account that Astra (current owner of Many Hands Gallery in Eureka) set up for us, as well as gift cards for Amazon and Home Depot. Good News:  Phil has already lined up a list of tools to replace with these generous donations and even received a gift of koa wood  (and some small tools) from the folks he usually buys from. There have been a couple of local wood workers who have offered space for him to work that will be of comfort to him on many levels.

CLICK to see bigger image

For those of you who knew about Lunel's emergency trip to ICU in a coma just 12 hours before our evacuation -- Good News:  her MRI came out perfectly normal. She has a prescription for Valium and is checking in regularly with her doctor. Her grief runs deep as she was so connected to her art studio, her best assemblage pieces, and particularly her art journals. But, in her unstoppable style, she has begun a new journal filled with pages of quirky drawings, poems, and collage - sample here too.

For personal friends to reach us the best way is through EMAIL:  haysmer@sonic.net.  We have a one-fuinction cell phone we are saving for insurance and medical related things. Frankly, a lot of personal phone calls right now, with our emotions so fragile is hard for us to manage on top of this huge loss.

As dear friends have reminded us: 'chi va piano, va sano e va lontano" -- who goes slowly, goes safely and goes far.

For you who want to see some very current photos of what is happening right now, here's a link to look:  Lava Photo from The Atlantic 

Magma Chamber

For those of you visiting, and maybe wondering what is going on with the Haysmers -- no, we have not fallen into the magma chamber that opened only a few days ago spewing lava and cinder. You have probably already seen images on your favorite viewing devices. As we described in previous blogs, we are being treated with true aloha-spirit, housed comfortably with our four corgi dogs a few miles away from what once was our home in Leilani Estates on the Big Island.

What you may not have seen is the beautiful piece that Phil created for the state-wide, juried June exhibit at the Wailoa Center in Hilo. We received notice of his acceptance just a few days after our sudden evacuation, and had to notify the coordinators that, sadly, Pele had already claimed possession.

We received a surprisingly kind response from HIAA (Hawai'i Island Art Alliance) Board that they wanted (with Phil's permission) to enter his piece anyway -- offering to print and frame the piece on his behalf. With tears in our eyes, we said "yes." We thought those of you visiting our blog would enjoy seeing what the actual piece looked like before it became Pele's offering. As for "offerings" we thank all of the many that are coming our way -- each one precious -- each one gratefully received. As we can, we will be sending out more individual "thank yous" to each of you.

Phil was also recently interviewed by our previous Eureka home publications Times-Standard and the Northcoast Journal. He was also amazed that the Lansing State Journal in Michigan where he spent many years also called for an interview. It was there that he received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Michigan State University and taught sculpture at Lansing Community College for a short time.

If you would like to, there are links below to those articles.

Times-Standard (Eureka CA)
Lansing State Journal (Michigan)
Northcoast Journal (Humboldt County)

All Things Being Equal

Lunel has begun a new journal 

For all our friends and ohana family who are checking in periodically there are just a few things to know about our current situation.

1. Our new family and place where we are staying is safe and comfortable and beyond generous.
2. The internet connection for anything is extremely sporadic so communication may be slow
3. We are both finding ways to "feel normal" without all the things that used to fill those roles.

Evening meal with our new family and old neighbors

(from bottom)
All Things Being Equal
And Change Inevitable
I Choose to Be Her Now!

Years ago, during a major life growth/adjustment/change at age 60, I got my first tattoo -- a symbol that kept coming through in my dreams and art. Since then I have used it on all my art. For me it is represents one of my basic core beliefs: Joy and Sorrow - Life and Death - Light and Dark all are not only necessary elements to existence but also equal.

New family building on just for us!! That's aloha!

And so it is in the be-here-now moment, or as we say here "Be Here Na'au." The loss feels overwhelming and unbearable and yet, somehow it also feels equal to the generous aloha-spirit that is being extended to us. And, that is equal to our discomfort at asking for help or even receiving it. The photos on our previous blog show the destruction and these represent how we are processing the pain and receiving the aloha as we find our way into an unknown future.

Especially to those who have made any kind of contribution we say MAHALO!! our difficulty getting on-line or even staying connected to say "thank you" makes responding a challenge.

The Way We Were

Well, if you remember THAT song, you probably recall the way it began...

"Memories...light the corners of my mind

Misty watercolor memories...of the way we were"

As we can see from this photo, our house was burned but still not covered. because the lava is flowing northeast, away from our house.

Unfortunately, these memories are not very watercolor-like but more like angry Vincent-memories. From reports, our Luana street was #8 of the big fissures opening. Ironically, Lunel was in ICU at Hilo Hospital at the time because 12 hours prior she had a seizure and was taken by ambulance to the emergency room. Phil did the best he could loading up 4 dogs and 7 bags of clothes and one fat emergency envelop, but under emergency evacuation and without his 'office manager' missed some important things.

Well, the above photo is where we would have been ignoring the mandatory evacuation. And, here's where we are now around a lovely table with other refugees in a true aloha home. We will continue to let you know where and how we are, but today we are safe and comfortable and on our way to a better diagnosis of Lunel's health.

Thank you ALL for your thoughts and prayers -- and understanding if we don't get back to you. (Please remember we are not facebookers or tweeters.)  In addition to repairs for Lunel, we have issues with our Versa and reconstructing a bunch of missing contacts, passwords, and other essential documents that were left in such an emergency.

Astra at Many Hands Gallery in Eureka has set up a Go-Fund-Me account for those who may want to help in that way: Go Fund Account

Aloha NUI LOA!

Lava Update

Here's the local lava news from today, Sunday, May 6th.

View of another street in Leilani

Here's a LINK what it looked like on Luana where our house burned. 

We just got conformation from two people that our house and everything in it was burned by fire. It may take time for the lava to reach us, but it is inevitable.

Since much of this happened while Lunel was in the hospital. Phil had about 15 minutes to grab a few bags and the dogs, loaded them in the car and left for safety. We are gathered with other neighbors who are in the same situation, giving thanks for all we do have.

(It was one thing to cut all we owned in half to make the move here; it is quit another to acknowledge your possessions now fit into seven grocery bags.)

Mahalo to everyone who has contacted us and for understanding if we don't reply immediately.

We have spent our entire 32 years together creating -- we don't plan to stop now -- it may just take a while and we may go at a slower pace. We also thought this would be our last big adventure --but now that we own a one acre lot of pahoehoe, looks like we are due for yet another one.

Losing the art we have both made and collected along with journals, photographs, books and tools will be the hardest.  In the meantime, we have each other and our dog-kids and an awesome community of neighbors and friends.

Living with Pele PS

May 6, 2018

Aloha Friends

Below is the message we sent yesterday to a group of friends, but now there is a PS: This morning at 5am there was a big outbreak explosion on property next to us. The folks that live behind us just email that their house is gone, so we must assume that ours may soon burn. We do have a friend with a drone who has remained in the most remote section of our division and we have asked him to confirm this loss. Until we see that it is gone there is no way to get our heads or hearts around this new reality; then again, how to do so knowing the reality will not be easy either.  Anyway, thanks for checking in and understanding that responding to everyone's inquiries may be just be impossible right now. For obvious reasons we are not including photos -- you can google that if you want to see.

Here's what we sent yesterday:

Please forgive the “group reply” but we just can’t respond to all the supportive and encouraging messages we have received from so many people in this complicated situation.

Lunel just got out of the hospital because she had a seizure on Wednesday (went into a unconscious state) and had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. She was in a coma in ICU is now on a variety of medications and is still not up to par but improving. The MRI machine was broken at the hospital, where, other than that, we were extremely impressed with the staff and her treatment. She sees her doctor on Monday and will get an MRI as soon as we can.

While she was there, if you follow island news, we had a volcanic incident began near our subdivison. and our whole subdivision was evacuated. Because of connections with our ohana here, we are now staying with a family who has graciously opened their large home to several of us – us with DOGS that is. So, now there is a total of 7 people and 7 dogs! While Lunel was in the hospital Phil did a good job of shuffling a few critical things into the car, but of course a few really important things got forgotten with all that was going on at the same time.

Amazingly enough, we have managed to replace most of the most extremely important things one way or another. Because Lunel was wearing only a shift (that is really ONLY) she was rushed to the hospital wearing only that!  She was due for cataract surgery, but the bifocals didn’t go with her, but a friend staying with this family had an extra pair that will work temporarily. From the hospital we went directly to Target for underwear and “slippas” and no glasses to see, but the staff there was so kind and helpful we left with most all we needed because we could not go back to our house because of the danger of fumes mostly.

There is an outbreak of fire just a couple blocks from us – who knows what direction/s it may go. Tomorrow, some Leilani residents may be able to go back briefly to collect critical things, but again, conditions are very volatile and all the agencies are more concerned about the people being safe.

After Lunel "woke up" she had an amazing dream: In it lava was flowing down the pali and one of our neighbors who is a mason, was helping build a wall to direct the flow (which of course is impossible.) There was a whole crew there including D9’s but they were all working with the lava not just trying to control it. At the front of the flow large diamonds were being spewed out, and in Lunel’s dream she was going up and picking up diamonds the size of her hand. So, as us, as friends and neighbors, sat around the dinner table tonight, we tried to focus on what diamonds we had already discovered – like the helpful woman at Target, or the neighbors who were opening their homes to refugees, or the people who were rescuing animals.

We don’t know what is next, but if you want to follow the event – just google Pahoa Lava or Leilani Lava to get photos and updates. We’ll try to send another email in a few days once we know more. Mahalo for all your love, prayers and support. We have a bed to sleep in, a pot to pee in, each other, our four dogs, and the amazing friendships and aloha we are experiencing during this traumatic experience.

Aloha and Mahalo

Phil and Lunel

Earthquakes in Puna

Last two days we have had nearly non-stop seismic activity, and by that I do mean "non-stop" as the attached Hawaii Volcano Observatory map shows. But Phil has a very accurate earthquake monitoring system that registers AUDIBLE earthquake activity!

Phil's marble collection registers every small quake

The reason for all this activity is that there has been a collapse of part of the structure of the Pu'u O'o vent where lava has been flowing from Kilauea for over 30 years. All of a sudden, because of this collapse, lava has stopped flowing from this location....which means it is going somewhere new!! And, at this point, no one is able to predict just where all that molten lava will be coming out next -- but it will eventually.

So, living on the edge of this living land means that rather than watching the latest ridiculous T-Tweet, all of us Punatics are following reports by HVO, and fly-overs of the area. We have a very active Civil Defense network that keeps us all advised of changes in the situation like the message below.

In the meantime, life goes on -- Phil is making sawdust and I am headed out to the garden for a little weeding.

 This is a Civil Defense message for Tuesday afternoon, May 1, 2018 at 4.

The Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory reports increased shallow earthquake activity for Kilauea Volcano below Pu’u O’o in Puna District.
This means an outbreak of lava in a new location could occur. While it is not possible to predict where an outbreak could occur, the area east of Pu’u O’o is a possible location.
Due to the increased seismic activity, the following are issued:

• Department of Parks and Recreation has shut down the lava viewing area in Kalapana due to the proximity to the increased hazardous activity.
• Lower Puna area residents are advised to stay informed by listening to the radio, Civil Defense text alerts and social media sites.
• For up to date scientific information, go to active links on our Civil Defense website and the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory website.

Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatories and your Hawaii County Civil Defense will continuing to monitor the situation throughout the night. You will be informed as conditions change. Thank you for listening.
This is your Hawai’i County Civil Defense Agency. 

A Rose By Any Other Name

Close up of "flower"

Bloom is now 7.5 feet high!

Amazing as it may seem, we have a few neighbors here in the Land of Puna (on the Big Island of Hawaii) who do grow roses -- but where we live, with 140+ inches of rain, it ain't easy.

Even in Humboldt County my luck with roses was minimal, so I prefer a different kind of "rose" -- bromeliads!!

CLICK on any photo for a closer look-see.
 

Pools of water in the center -- tiny tiny blossoms

New growth on our Cardboard Palm

"That which we call a rose by any other name..."  Many people will recognize this quote from Shakespeare -- and the "roses" we grow in our garden are somewhat other worldly.

A couple of posts ago we were excited to share some images of blooms we have waited 3-4 years to see, such as our giant bromeliads pictured up at the top.

Here are just a few other photos of some of these strange plants.  No, I don't know most of their official names because many are cuttings shared with us from friends and neighbors.

I have also included a photo of our Cardboard Palm because it too is so unusual and has such gorgeous new growth coming out right now.

"Hokule'a" - A small vessel on a very big mission.

We cannot begin to tell the whole amazing story of the voyaging vessel the Hokule'a here in this small space, but we will provide you with a link so you can learn more about this incredible story, not only of Hawai'i culture but linking all of Polynesia with the world!! Story of Hokule'a .

Here's a teaser from the above article:

  Hōkūleʻa, our Star of Gladness, began as a dream of reviving the legacy of exploration, courage, and ingenuity that brought the first Polynesians to the archipelago of Hawaiʻi. The canoes that brought the first Hawaiians to their island home had disappeared from earth. Cultural extinction felt dangerously close to many Hawaiians when artist Herb Kane dreamed of rebuilding a double-hulled sailing canoe similar to the ones that his ancestors sailed. 

Navigational stones - "Maka o Hule" Heiau (Tom Bentley)

Hokule'a recently returned to Hawai'i after a outrageous and exciting three-year adventure around the world. Even before we moved here, we unexpectedly discovered ancient navigational stones while on a hike on the north west side of the island and we began to learn about this inspiring cultural renaissance.

This vessel navigates ONLY using ancient traditional methods, following the stars, wave patterns, wind and knowledge of sailing dating back to ancient Polynesians.

Ho'okupu (blessing/offering) lei that Lunel made for
Holuke'a with orchids and yellow ohia from our yard

This week we had a wonderful close-up-and personal visit while Hokule'a was moored in Hilo. We joined excited school kids, locals and tourists dockside listening to stories about every facet of life aboard a wa'a (double hulled canoe.)

Standing along side I was struck by both how small and large she seemed. A small world traveling over vast oceans, carrying, feeding, protecting and guiding all the souls in her care. And, yet how very big her heart -- carrying the spirit of all Hawai'i with her on her long journey.

Happy Birthday :"Reba-Bo-Beba"

Lady of leisure on her birthday

One pancake for each dog

"Hey dad -- ??more?"

Everyone who know us at all knows how crazy we are about our FOUR corgyn (plural for corgi.)

Today was a special day because it was Reba's 10th birthday. She, like us, has been on glucosamine for a couple years, and thankfully, she seems to be doing well. 

Waiting very patiently while they cool

Today, her two kids, Poko and I'i Lani, and grandson Tudor joined the celebration with special (gluten free) sour dough pancakes, made with our own daily-fresh kefir. 
Tudor (with the black tuxedo) is only nine months old. Hopefully he'll still be around for his 10th and my 80th birthday!

Just because they had theirs doesn't mean they didn't want more!

Heiau (shrine) for our Corgyn

But, on a sad note, all of us share the sadness of the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth's beloved "Willow" who is the last of a long line of corgi dogs in the Royal Family. While our family/ohana is not royal, we lovingly remember all of our corgi family too: Chauncy, Abbey, Dexter and Paka.  Queen Elizabeth's "Willow"

Visitation by the Bees

Never a dull moment here in the rural district of Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii. Choosing to retire in such a different place than California's northern (northern) Humboldt County meant learning a new way of living -- culturally and environmentally. So, our learning curve has included cesspools, water storage and treatment, 140" of rain a year, completely different growing patterns and seasons, etc..

However this week we got to experience a swarm of bees! We had seen hand made signs posted around on trees along the side of the road that offered bee relocation. And, all it took was a shout out to our local collection of friends and we had the answer we needed -- "The Bee Whisperer" of course! We made a phone call, got a reply back and a visit scheduled.

We first noticed a very large distraught collection of bees (several hundred) on a walk through the garden yesterday. They were focused on the branch of a bush back near the pineapple patch and the compost pile.

The queen had moved herself from one place to another, taking most of her hive with her, but in the last 48 hours, the torrential rains had confused some of the hive. Yesterday's mass of several hundred had diminished by today to only a few dozen.

It was amazing to watch our bee caretaker (whose family has over 90 hives)  gently probe the remaining clutch of bees with his bare hand as he examined them. He was able to determine that a queen had been there, had marked the branch for temporary shelter, and that most of the bees had already followed her. With only a few breaks break in the weather and some sun, the remaining bees have had a chance to dry out and head on out. Tonight only a few stragglers remain and, since it is (again) raining, they may delay their final departure until tomorrow. (We're all too familiar with flight lay overs, right?).

Thanks to the folks at Paradise Nectar here in Puna!
Support local businesses!  
Check out their website: Paradise Nectar in Puna