With Prayers

Today the two wa'a (voyaging canoes) Holuke'a and the Hikianalia, set sail on their Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, a 47,000 mile open-ocean journey.  (see May 18th blog for more story.)  Although we had thought we would drive into town to see them off, something gently said "no."   And so, we decided that with our prayers we would honor this significant voyage by planting two ohia trees and making leis.

We had assembled flowers and shells to place between the two trees symbolizing our connection with these intrepid voyagers and were in the process of planting when the phone rang....

Phil's mom, Margaret died this morning, so all of a sudden, the meaning of our staying home, planting trees, and assembling offering as tributes changed somewhat to include another "voyager" -- Margaret.



While we were digging and filling the holes with our compost, of course we had supervision from two excellent diggers -- Dexter and Poko.





We bid all departing souls sweet journeys --
ALOHA and Mahalo Nui Loa

Growing Old(er)

Norfolk Pine Tree - "The Mother Tree"

Last evening a group of local friends gathered for a BBQ; and with most of us ranging in age from 40-70, our aging kupuna (elders) was one of the topics of conversation.  Many people present had parents who are 80-90 years old, including us.  Some are in assisted living situations, others are facing serious health issues like brain tumors and cancer.  Of course, there are many unknowns, but one thing we could all agree on is how much love and respect we have for them.
 
Another observation we made is the number of changes they have witnessed in their lives.  We began to mention a few US Presidents, automobiles, inventions, etc. so we decided to look up a few things that were invented since the turn of the last century, when our parents were born.  What an interesting look a the changes they witnessed.  (List is below from a cool website called: www.historylearningsite.co.uk)

Anyway, we came home thinking of our own kupuna, Phil's mother, Margaret who is facing her own set of challenges in her mid-90's.  Here is a new photo the tree that we planted in her honor when we first moved to the Big Island; at the time it was about 30" tall -- and now just look at it.

There's Phil with the tribe of corgis -- Dexter, Reba leaning against Phil's leg, and little Poko is now just about four months old. 

1901 : vacuum cleaner

1902 : air conditioning; automated tea maker

1903 : electrocardiogram; first powered flight

1904 : radar; tea bags; diodes

1905 : plastic; windscreen wipers; silencer for guns

1906 : radio broadcasting

1907 : electric washing machine

1908 : coffee filter; paper cups; assembly line production

1910 : neon lamps

1911 : stenotype machines

1913 ; Brillo pads; crossword puzzles; bras; zips

1916 : sonar

1920 : hair dryers; kiss-proof lipstick; submachine guns

1921 : robots; insulin

1922 : Aga cooker

1923 : hearing aids

1924 : frozen food

1925 : Geiger counter; television

1926 : liquid fuel rocket; pop-up toaster; aerosol sprays

1927 : ‘Talkies’ at the movies

1928 : iron lung; penicillin

1929 : artificial life

1930 : jet engine; mechanical toothbrushes; Scotch tape

1931 : electric razor

1932 : radio telescope; parking meter; folding wheelchair

1933 : electron microscope; angle-poise lamp

1934 : cats eyes

1935 : electric guitar

1936 : sun tan lotion; electric blanket

1938 : ballpoint pen; photocopying

1939 : helicopters; cloud seeding to trigger rain

1942 : first nuclear reactor built; Napalm

1943 : aqualung

1944 : kidney dialysis machine

1946 : microwave ovens; automation; Bikini; Tupperware; Tupperware Parties

1947 : transistors; holograms; artificial intelligence; disposable nappy; mobile phones

1948 : Frisbees; Velcro; general purpose computers; contact lenses

1950 : credit cards; self-cleaning house; junction transistor

1951 : contraceptive pill; cartons of milk

1952 : wide-screen cinema

1953 : transistor radio

1954 : solar cell; synthesizer

1955 : hovercraft; atomic clock; polio vaccine; structurally modified antibiotics

1956 : video tape recorder

1957 : satellite; endoscope

1958 : video games; microchip; modems

1959 : car seat belts

Jungle Dog Goes for "Short" Swim

Jungle Dog

"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water."  Most of us associate those words with Jaws II (well most of us who are old enough to remember it.)  But Poko seems doggedly determined to risk it. 

When we posted about Poko's ungraceful dive into the pond a few days ago, I could not get to the camera fast enough.  While cleaning up from dinner tonight, though, I glanced out the dining room window and there he was again.  After watching a few moments, it was clear that he could SEE his own reflection.

"How did I get wet?"

"Grrrrr.  Who IS that Dog?"

After swatting at it a couple times, while balanced on some lava stones, he ended up falling in again.  He scrambled out and seemed surprised to again find himself all wet -- except for the ears.  We suspect he will figure it all out soon.

Of course, silly parents that we are, we BOUGHT him a wading pond, but will he use that?!?  Oh NO!

Hōkūle‘a – Getting Ready for the Voyage of a Lifetime

As we celebrate our 28th anniversary today -- we are also celebrating with the Polynesian Voyaging Society as the following article elaborates.  This is SO culturally important here, we want to share this significant event with you by including the whole article.
You may also look up www.hokulea.org.



HONOLULU (May 17, 2014) – The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) today celebrated the official launch of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, a 47,000-mile open-ocean journey of two wa‘a (Hawaiian voyaging canoes) around the world, sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines. Mālama Honua, which means “to care for our Earth,” is the Hawaiian name for the voyage, whose mission is to find and grow inspiring practices to protect our earth for future generations.

The two wa‘a sailing on the voyage, Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia, will be guided by a crew of skilled navigators using ancient Polynesian wayfinding techniques, observing the stars, ocean, wind, and birds as mapping points for direction. When Hōkūleʻa completed her maiden voyage in 1976, it was the first time in 600 years that a Polynesian voyaging canoe sailed across the Pacific Ocean.

“As we embark on this voyage today, we are honored to join a global movement towards a more sustainable world,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “Mālama Honua allows us the special opportunity to perpetuate the legacy of our ancestors and inspire stewardship of the earth, sharing our aloha for our environment while nurturing and learning from local solutions and relationships.”

Hōkūle'a image Polynesian Voyaging Society ® (Photo by ʻOiwi TV)

Thompson was joined by his fellow OceanElders to celebrate the launch of this historic voyage: a collective of leaders including renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, musician and activist Jackson Browne, and ocean exploration pioneers Jean-Michel Cousteau and Captain Don Walsh.
“The State of Hawai‘i applauds the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the countless volunteers, crewmembers, and partners of the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage for their truly remarkable and courageous efforts to take our cultural knowledge and values to the sea and around the globe,” said Hawai‘i State Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui. “Mālama Honua will be a symbol of our cultural pride in every part of the world it visits, educating communities about the importance of appreciating and protecting each other and our earth.”

Throughout the voyage, crewmembers will educate communities and students of all ages around the world. Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia will be “floating classrooms” powered by Google products and will share knowledge through a broad range of educational opportunities and partnerships. The program seeks to support and cultivate the next generation of navigators and explorers – helping young crewmembers to embody and value the lessons of Mālama Honua that will continue to thrive long after the wa‘a and crew return home.

The Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage will visit 85 ports and 26 countries, including 12 of UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage sites, through June 2017. The first stop for Hōkūle‘a and Hikianallia is Tahiti, where Hōkūleʻa made her first voyage in 1976. The voyage is made possible by many community sponsors and partners, including Hawaiian Airlines, the University of Hawai‘i, Kamehameha Schools, the James and Abigail Campbell Family Foundation, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and many more.

Dog Toys

Statistics say that we spend 12.5 BILLION dollars on pet supplies and toys (not vet bills) each year, and we admit to contributing to those statistics.

But, like many parents (of kids and dogs) have found, it's always the cheap non-toys that they always have the most fun with, whether those items are empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls or empty cottage cheese containers.

We let POKO clean out a cottage cheese container, which then turned out to entertain him for hours.

Pele and Ohia

"Pele and Ohia"

There are a few versions of the Pele, Ohia, and Lehua story.  The short version is that Pele was attracted to Ohia, but he was in love with Lehua.  Pele, who is known to be jealous decided to punish Ohia, and turned him into a twisted tree.  This decision was apparently not well accepted, and Lehua was then turned into the lovely blossoms that adorn these picturesque trees so abundant in the Puna district where we live.

There are other stories that Pele, in a peak of anger and retribution, poured lava down throughout the Puna district.  What is amazing, (as we have mentioned previously on the blog) is how these trees are one of the first things to shoot up through the expanses of acres of cooled lava.

Phil created this carved koa piece (mounted on mahogany) showing Pele, adorned with Ohia leaves.  He will be taken it in to Hilo's amazing ONE Gallery on Hilo's picturesque bay front.

New Corgi News (of course)

Pembroke Corgi TAIL

Our recently enlarged family has, of course, kept us distracted and chuckling.  It is fun to have corgi dogs WITH tails too!  Many years ago, it was customary to dock the Pembroke's tail because with their red coat and tail with the white tip, they could easily be mistaken for foxes.

Late Afternoon in the Hammock

Recently we watched part of a national dog competition on TV where there were over 15 dog breeds in the herding category.  Compared to the rest of the breeds, the Corgis are v-e-r-y short ("pokole")-- and, they are always placed last. (booo!)

Anyway, the last time we bought dog food for Dexter we were pleased to see a Pembroke Corgi right there on the Science Diet bag -- with a TAIL!!!  We are so "en trend!"

REBA and DEXTER take walks with us almost every day; it is a much easier way to keep their toenails trimmed.  POKO has managed to trick DEXTER into playing "get the puppy" and it is pretty cute to watch.

POKO has also discovered the pond in the back yard near the water tank -- and the other day he took an unexpected plunge into 18 inches of water!!  Of course it all happened too fast to get a photo of his antics -- but he later informed us of his decision to explore scuba diving.  Fortunately they do make scuba gear for Corgis!

Christmas in May!

Compared to a typical city-sized lot, one acre may seem big.  While we don't have expansive vistas, there are many sweet "corners" around the property that offer a variety of intimate views.

This little hillock was one of the first places we cleared out from encroaching vines, mounds of stag ferns and other invasive plants.  In doing so, we found a whole flat of tiny red and green striped bromeliads that were less than two inches tall.  We nested them into the varie ty of mosses that were growing under the ohia trees.

With the beautiful olive green leafed ohia trees bursting out with poofs of red blossoms right now, and all these red accented plants, our yard looks like  Christmas packages.

The last photo is from another bed up near the front of the property, another hill of bromeliads  At Sunday's farmers market, we picked up some new ones in PINK and YELLOW -- that we will get posted soon.

What Dogs Teach Us

Ao Pokole Poko -- ahhh, puppy breath!

A few things we are learning from our dogs.

POKO the puppy, is all wiggles, energy and go-get-em -- until it is time for a nap.  NAP?  what a great idea, POKO!  Let's do it!  He comes running when you call him, excited to see you.  That sweet unconditional love is simply good for your heart.

Bellies in the warm sun

REBA-BEE turned six years old last month, and is SO glad to be done having puppies.  During our nap, she wedged in for pats and, like me, turned her belly up to the warm sun.  Looking down at her belly I could see that the hair from her Cesarian (delivering five perfect puppies) is now growing back.  As looked into her sweet face  I realized how much we had in common -- a little saggy and baggy, but both really happy girls.

Uncle Dexter (age 10)

From DEXTER we are learning patience with dignity -- for ourselves as we age, and for each other.  While there have been a couple of snarls and snaps, for the most part, he is exhibiting a tolerant accepting attitude.  Nothing wrong with that either.


Then there are the KISSES and GIGGLES from all the kisses!  Be HAPPY!  Yes, "the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to LOVE and be loved in return."   (Moulin Rouge)

Hallelujah Heleconias!

It is MAY now, and our weather has definitely taken a turn toward summer.   We are now leaving all the doors and windows open at night, and it's easy to get up by 8am now that the sun comes shining in across the covers so beautifully.

90% of our property is totally private; there is only one small section of our property that is "open" but the rest is bordered by forest.   So, we have begun to collect more amazing plants for this new section -- it will be about 300 sq ft in an all sun spot.  We have met a plant person at the local market who came over to look at the spot and we are continuing our collection of haleconias, more Hawaii rhododendron (Vireya) and palms

Some of you may recall that our yard, garden and fences in Eureka were covered with unique "yard art."  Recently as we were trimming some lanky trees we found our first bird nest and decided it would be a perfect compliment to the antique rug beater that is part of our Hawaii yard art.  What fun!

Humboldt/Hawaii Connection

Hawaiian Chieftain visiting Humboldt Bay, Eureka CA

The Hawaiian Chieftain (together with the Lady Washington) made their annual visit to Humboldt Bay recently.  So far in meeting new friends and neighbors here in Puna, we have been amazed at the connections that reach across the Pacific.

The Chieftain was built in 1988 originally to carry cargo between the Hawaiian Islands and was influenced by early colonial designs which could enter small developing seaboard towns with their shallow ports.

Mahalo to Walt for sending us the photos and for helping us to keep our connection with our Humboldt County friends.  We enlarged the photo of the figurehead to feature the dynamic carved totem of the Hawaiian chief, wearing his yellow cape of 'o'o bird feathers and his crested helmet of scarlet 'i'iwi feathers.