Planting Ohia Trees for Easter

Ohia ready to plant (generator shed behind them)

Nearly three years ago we met a neighbor who was planning to put in a driveway where many baby ohia trees were growing.  We were able to rescue about a dozen small ohia trees, getting them into pots for future planting.

After doing so, we were told "ohia trees don't like to be moved -- and their roots are very sensitive." We figured they would have no chance at all left where they were.  For the past three years we have been caring for them in their temporary pots, hoping for the best. Two years ago, we began to transfer them into deep holes fortified with compost and have had 100% success.

In 2014 when the traditional Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoes (Hokule'a and Hikianalia) left for their world-wide tour, we chose to plant baby ohia trees. (For more info about Hokule'a go to this link:  Hokule'a  When Phil's mom died, also in 2014, we planted ohias in her honor.

A year ago as more was being discovered about the dying Ohia trees, I wrote a poem to express my own sadness.

“Silent Death”

Creeping slowing, striking swift.

One by one they wither -- 
Whether or not we see it.

Down the street, across the way, 
Silent death approaches.

Treetops against the sun, 
Not noticeable at first --

Until half-way down,

the sickness run.

In so few days first one

Easter -- digging holes for Ohia trees

Then another is gone -

No leaves, no life.

It is done.

Silent killer, but no

Reason found --

In the air or

On the ground.

No more home to bugs and birds,

They stand denuded and bare.

Such sadness can

Hardly find the words.

Ancient strong Ohia bold --

Sweet lovely Lehua old --

Are we to blame?

Is this our shame?

Lunel

August 2015

Spring Equinox

The other evening the sky was so dramatic Phil went outside around 5:30 pm, camera in hand, and took two photos both within a minute of each other. The mackerel clouds covered the whole sky and the moon was nearly full.  The first photo (left) was facing due east and the rising moon and the second one was taken looking due west down our long driveway.

When we first moved to the Big Island's Puna District in 2012 everyone on The Continent thought we must have palm trees and white sand beaches. " No," we would explain.  "We live in an ohia forest!" Then, however we did not get this western view so low to the horizon.  Sadly, our neighbors across the street have lost nearly all their beautiful ohia trees**.  You can see some of the bare branches outlined by the brilliantly colored sky.


**If you don't know about our dying Ohia trees -- refer to our March 9th entry where there are links to stories about this sad disaster.  Hard sometimes to admit that life IS change.  Or, this newest article just put out by NPR (very sad) we live at "ground zero!)

Elegant solitary Lehua blossom over the bed of orchids

Bed of Nun's Cap Orchids (under Ohia tree)

Even the weather is changing!

As a result of our significant drought several weeks earlier in the year, this spring's bloom of Nun's Cap orchids and the Lehua blossoms on the Ohia trees are late -- but nonetheless beautiful.

Building Lava Rock Walls (Intuitively)

For many reasons I have gone through most of my life trusting my intuition, mostly ignoring directions, and being willing to fail and learn from my own mistakes rather than first finding some book on the subject.  It never occurred to me until just today that I could find a book, let alone a U tube video to tell me how to build a lava rock wall.  (click on any photo to enlarge)

To find lava - start digging!

Flat blank canvas - our property (2012)

Today, after three years, I decided to look it up. When the first words were "get out your measuring tape" I knew I was in the wrong department.  When I saw that you started with the BIG rocks first, I realized I had spent three years of building them upside-down. Silly me?!?!   I begin with all the SMALL lava rocks first, stamping them firmly down to create a wide bed.  After a layer or two of medium rocks edged firming into place, I finish my walls with the big heavier stones that hold everything in place.  To my way of thinking, everything in the universe is built from the small stuff.

Stomp a firm foundation

Funny thing is, when we first moved to the Puna District on the Big Island and began to assess the very blank canvas of our one acre, there were no visible lava rocks on the flat terrain of crushed red cinder surrounding the house.  I ignorantly asked our next door neighbor where people got their lava to build with.  Typical of the kindness here, he did not laugh, and replied quietly, "You just have to start digging."  And so I did.

I have never allowed "not knowing" to stop me from learning, but in following my intuition, I decided that I would let the lava teach me what I needed to know.  I look at our first walls, and I smile; although they are not so good, they were my patient first teachers.  In fact the first word I learned in Hawaiian language was PO, as in POHAKU.

An "upside down" lava wall in progress.

PO has many meanings that include: night, darkness, realm of the gods.  Its deeper meanings also include a primordial deep darkness from which everything springs into being-ness. This certainly appealed to me as I appreciate the mythology surrounding the Sacred Darkness respected by many cultures around the world.

POHAKU means rock, stone, but lava stones here in Hawaii carry the spirit of the land in ways far to complex to enumerate here. Simply put, however, they are the foundation for the entire island culture that did not use metal -- used for building gigantic structures, for walls of homes and pens for animals, for scraping and cutting tools, weapons, catching fish in lava walled fish ponds, and preparing food. Working with them I feel an appreciation and I feel a quiet sense of grounding being here -- in this new-land-place.

Planting Ironwood Trees

Graceful Ironwood Tree at MacKenzie Park on the Big Island

Today we planted three Ironwood trees.  During the last six months, we have been slowly and sadly replacing our dead Ohia trees and still have about eight other varieties to plant.

(If you don't know about this ecological tragedy, you can read about it at this link:  Dying Ohia Trees.    Or, Possible cause:  Beetle Spreading Fungus?

This week we narrowed down the right places for our three Ironwood trees that each came from different places on our Big Island.

The first one we found uprooted down at MacKenzie Park in an area known as Opihikao.  It is one of our favorite places along the famous “Red Road” here in Puna. During Hurricane Iselle in 2014, the park was hit hard by Hurricane Iselle that swept ashore pulling trees right out of the ground.

The Park is name for ranger Albert MacKenzie who planted many of the ironwood trees that cover the 13 acre park.  The "Casuarina" trees were brought to many islands as seeds, floating on logs or pumice.   The park has a fascinating history including prison convicts, King Kamehameha's Highway, and ghost stories.  (CLICK on this for great stories! MacKenzie Park )

The park is 20 minutes from our house along "Red Road"

"Take me home with you."

We purchased the second Ironwood tree months ago as one replacement for some of our dying Ohia trees. And, just this last week we found a third one in a very unexpected place.

We were running an errand, with our Tundra truck, to pick up a load of volcanic red cinder that's being quarried right from a volcanic cinder cone a few miles from our house.  This tiny tree (with three small trunks) was pushing its way up through a pile of red cinder the size of a house and it looked like it needed a new home.

Marching into March

YELLOW is rainfall for 2016 - so far

This blog entry is a little potpourri of the last week or so.  Although it is hard to imagine Hawaii having a drought, it is true -- and we are feeling it here in Puna on the Big Island! Just look at this rain chart and you will see how badly we need rain -- just like our friends back on the mainland.  Last year's January and February were both dry, but this year has been even worst.


Sunday we attended a presentation by our local Lelani Hula Halau which has been offering classes here in Leilani for many years under the guidance of their kumu (teacher) who was able to come and see them on Sunday.

Here is a lovely photo of them gathered just after the performance. They were accompanied by PUKA (Puna 'Ukulele & Kanikapila Association.) Kanikapila is a style of Hawaiian music that is impromptu, like a jam session, that would typically take place at the beach or a family gathering.

PUKA at local Pahoa Parade

"But Mom, where's her tail?"

The annual Westminster Dog Show happened a few days ago too. Of course we all watched together as a family.  We feel the corgi dogs are often given the short end of the stick (no pun intended).  POKO (standing) had a crush on this year's entry -- a sweet little girl corgi named "Annie Oakley."

And finally, this week we uncovered yet ANOTHER buried vehicle -- this makes the third!  Early on we found one up near the front of the property -- a tire and part of a chassis.

Next we found disparate chunks of a classic old blue hippie van and used parts of it in yard art.  Now we have uncovered part of a yellow bus -- and while it may be the perfect pairing with the old van, we hope this represents that last of the vehicle archaeology!!