Blooming and Growing

Our April 14th blog entry showed photos of our tall, strong and graceful Ohia trees ** covered with beautiful red Lehua blossoms.  This week, we had an unexpected treat because one of the Ohia trees we planted a year ago had its first YELLOW blossom.  Most all trees bloom red, and yellow blooming trees are rare.  Even more rare are salmon colored blossoms. 

When we moved, we spent months reclaiming our one acre from the encroaching jungle vines and ferns, and many of the islands introduced invasive species.  Next we began planting our mini-orchard with a variety of fruit trees.  We found a local nursery man who had his own yellow Ohia tree and we got two small rooted cuttings from him about a year ago.  The trees are less than three feet tall at this time, so we didn't expect to see blossoms for a few years, but we got lucky as one of them bloomed.

Patiently (sort of) waiting for breakfast on the front porch.

Dexter and Reba are being tolerant and polite with each other, but Dexter prefers to be inside the house, and Reba has been an outside dog for year, so that helps with the family dynamics.  Ao-Pokole (Poko for short -- and "Poko" means short too) is growing fast and has more than doubled his weight and length.  We are taking turns with the early morning breakfast preparation; each of them gets different proportions and Dexter has Rx added to his food as well.


** The Ohia trees are the most abundant native trees in Hawaii and are among the first life in new lava flows. According to Hawaiian mythology, the tree represents a young warrior. Pele, the goddess of fire, wanted to marry the warrior. When he refused, she turned him into a tree. The other gods weren't able to turn him back, so they turned his true love, Lehua, into the blossom so the two lovers could be reunited. It is also thought that if you pick one of the blossoms, it will rain – representing the tears of lovers.




 

Family Rituals

One of our daily rituals is the walk down the long driveway to get the mail.   Since Dexter knows the way, he is bringing up the rear as we head back toward the house.  Dexter also knows the secret place where he finds wild guavas to eat, but he's not into sharing that information.

Ao Pokole Poko is growing so fast that he's doubled his weight and length in less than a month.  Suppose it helps that he gets fed 4 times a day including half-n-half.

Poko's mom Reba, and his dad Koa both had long bodies, but given Poko's paw size, he is apt to be a big boy. Dexter and Reba keep him in line, and Dexter is even beginning to share (if begrudgingly) time and toys with "da brahda."

Isn't it time to eat YET?

OK, kid, here's how you do it.

"Merrie Monarch" Hilo Hula Festival

Unless you see it yourself, you cannot even imagine the power, grace and beauty witnessed during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival each year in Hilo.   There are thousands of photographs on line, but nothing compares to seeing, hearing and feeling it all first hand.  We had the privilege of attending some of the smaller presentations at Imiloa Astronomy Center.  (Photo from Merrie Monarch official website.)

To learn more about this annual celebration please visit the official site:
 www.merriemonarch.com

 

While in Hilo, we also were able to pick up a new supply of local hardwood for Phil's art -- including curly mango and koa.  Phil has sold a few pieces at the gallery, and is currently working on a new one -- a beautiful image of Pele in koa wood.  As is typical of Corgi dogs, they are always ready to help with any project.


Below are just a few more photos we
took.  The "power" we witness is not about only physical strength, but a respect for the culture and how deeply and far reaching the teaching of hula reach; it is not simply about "a dance" but the relationship between people and the land, history of cultural migrations, significant places, mythology.  These teaching extent to the people and their relationship to family, neighborhood, environment and the world.  We feel honored to be here and to experience this.

WOW!  Just look what popped up in our back yard a few minutes ago!  This time of year, the late afternoon sun is shining from the west -- right up our driveway, so with even the slightest mist, the effect is like having the rainbow end right in our yard. Makes you understand why our Hawaii license plates feature a rainbow!

Planting Redwoods for Easter

When we moved from Humboldt County -- the home of redwoods, we just had to bring a few baby redwoods with us.  This photo was taken in July 2013 when they were in one-gallon pots and were about 8" tall.  After keeping them in partial shade for a half year, we moved them into full sun and transplanted into bigger pots; they have been doing very well!!

Since they are now about four feet tall, we decided to put in a couple for Easter.  Our young friend Sam helped clear a good spot for them along the north property line. We drew a red line around them in Photoshop so you could see them against the dense green forest area behind them.

We suspect that in about 10 years, they may be taller, but it will take a l-o-n-g time before they will be as big as those in the forests around Eureka, CA.


This week we also planted a dozen Vireya that are essentially Hawaii's rhododendrons.  These were all a gift from a long-time local friend who also lives here in Leilani Estates


  

Puppy Belly!

Fortunately Ao Poko does sleep some of the time.  

There is nothing like puppy energy...or puppy bellies.

(Ao Poko = Short Cloud)

Hey Reba!   Where is Ao Poko going?!?

In the March 31st blog, we busted Dexter a.k.a. the "Bok Choy Boy" in the act, snatching fresh greens from the shade house.

Some say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but NEW dogs are a different story.....

Headed into the shade house!

WAIT A MINUTE....where is AO POKO off to so fast!!???

FOLLOW THAT DOG...WITH THE TAIL!

Bok Choy Boy II

Oh, no, not the Bok Choy!!

OH YES, the Bok Choy!

Puppy Mornings

Mornings are different now.  For the past year we would awaken to bird songs somewhere between 730 and 800, leisurely saunter out to the kitchen for coffee and wake up slowly.  Despite the fact that Ao-Pokole-Poko (Poko for short) is fed 4x a day (with half-n-half and puppy chow) he is HUNGRY at 7am!

So, all the dogs get fed first and THEN we have our coffee, followed by a poop-n-pee stroll around the yard.  Dexter is doing his part too -- "here's a good spot" and they both lift their legs.

Reba has made a good adjustment to Dexter's age and dignity -- giving him space.  Dexter doesn't mind the puppy's following his every move, and will even occasionally roll around with him in a tolerant and avuncular manner.

Lunar Eclipse

We had front row seats for the lunar eclipse and two modest cameras to play with.  This photo is a combination of two photos; one from each camera -- and, a little help from photoshop. This is really what we saw, however, the moon rising in the east over the ohia trees with brilliantly illuminated clouds in the sky.

Blossoms!

From this distance it may be a little hard to see hundreds of small Lehua blossoms that now cover most of the Ohia trees in the forest where we live.  Our one acre is surrounded by these beautiful and stately trees -- some of the first plants to grow in newly formed lava.

These trees dance in all the breezes, whether it is the trade winds from the north and east, or the kona winds from the south.
(In the background you will see our "shade house" which actually 9 feet high, so you will have some perspective on the size of these trees)

We still find that people have a generalized image in their minds of hot white sands and tall swaying palm trees when they think of Hawaii.  But as you can see in PUNA, there is a great deal of variety in the climatic zones and flora.

This week our focus has been on helping all the dog-kids get acquainted with each other, helping Dexter retain his dignity in the face of all that wild vivacious puppy-energy from AO POKO.  REBA has been used to running rough with the boys on the farm, so she has had to learn to be more respectful of Dexter, but is making good progress. All in all a good week.

Phil at ONE Gallery

Last week ONE Gallery in Hilo celebrated it's open house in their new location on Kamehameha Street -- right on the Hilo's bay front.  There was a traditional Hawaiian blessing, music and hula as hundreds of visitors strolled the streets visiting galleries, museums and eateries.  (Yes! in fact, it was very like Old Town Eureka's "Arts Alive.")  Learn more about ONE Gallery: www.onegalleryhawaii.com

(Phil was present, of course, but Lunel was a home tending to the new tribe.  Helping Dexter welcome Ms. Reba B, and Pokole' Poko.)

In one image here, there is a woman looking at Phil's collection of wood art, but this week one of the artists pulled his work out of the gallery, so Phil has a brand new big wall space which really highlights his art.

There are a couple of other really wonderful exhibits in town too, especially at the East Hawaii Cultural Center, Museum of Contemporary Art.  The show there is called Ho'i Hou ia' KaMole  "From the Source" and features art by local talent. www.downtownhilo.com/hawaii-museum-of-contemporary-art





 

Early Easter Eggs

Last year was our first spring in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii, so our learning curve was pretty steep.  Being in a new place, and a new land, we had many delightful experiences, including -- finding small blue eggs laying out on the thick moss under the Ohia trees on the property.

These amazing trees are often the first to grow up through newly formed lava and we are blessed to have them all around our property.  This time of year they are also in bloom with red Lehua blossoms.

We don't know whose eggs they are, but since Easter is later this month, but we are already have gathered five and are placing them in a small Koa wood bowl.  If you realize that these trees can grow 4-5 stories high, that is a long fall for an egg to survive (if that is how they get there,) but survive they do -- a tribute to the design of nature. 

New Family Members!

If you have been following our blog, you know we have been waiting patiently to adopt Ms. REBA.  She has been very busy having puppies and wants to RETIRE with us. When we went to pick her up, this little guy wanted to come too.

Meet POKO (full name Ao Pokole) who is eight weeks old.  POKO is an abbreviated form of the word POKOLE which means "short."   AO means "cloud."  He is a "tri" which means, as he gets older, his black coloring will come out more. 

Ao Pokole Poko

Dexter (age ten) is being as gracious as he can be.  They are all doing the butt-sniffing thing, a few snaps and growls, but mostly tail-wagging.  Dexter was part of our pack-of-three for a long time, and we feel that these new family members will keep him active and more engaged.


You will notice that both REBA and POKO have their tails.  POKO says, "I am all EARS."