Visitors at Luana Ohana

Not everything that happens in our lives is as exciting as a walk out to see lava pouring miles down the hillside and into the ocean (our last post.) After four and a half years, we are still discovering and delighting in retirement. By the way, the Hawaiian word LUANA (our street name) has a very rich and appropriate meaning to us especially as it relates to our retirement!

LUANA: to be at leisure, to enjoy pleasant surroundings and associates, to live in comfort and ease, to enjoy onesself.    "E luana wale ana no" (Just enjoying ourselves)

Here's a photo of our front porch, with our beautiful gong (with the symbol for water) from Many Hands Gallery in Eureka.

Next to the porch is a dense bed of tropical plants that has some flowering spiral ti plants that look like aliens!!



Along the outside wall by the porch is an ornamental flowering passion vine that is home to dozens of geckos who find curious places to artfully hang out. (One in the mouth of the 'green man' sculpture, another on the head of the goddess.)

There's no way you can effectively keep them out of the house, but they are welcome guests because they eat small spiders and other insects -- especially in the kitchen. Last is an artfully-adapted photo I took in the kitchen with gecko silhouetted from light from the window over the sink.

Lava Hike

Lunel - nose into the trade winds, ready for hike

Shortly after Hurricane Iselle hit us, in the summer of 2014, lava from nearby Pu'u O'o vent began to flow directly toward our subdivision just south of Pahoa Village. At that time our focus was survival and safety and everyone was hugely relieved when, just a few yards before dividing Pahoa in half, the flow stopped, and began to flow toward the ocean again, to the south of Kalapana. Whew! (click any photo for bigger view)

Huge section of lava shelf fell off in December, and continues to crumble

Here is the newly revised four-mile trail out to view

After Lunel's knee injury in 2015, surgery and following recovery, we were not much interested in a dangerous hike out to where lava was flowing into the ocean. We heard wonderful stories about it from friends and neighbors. Finally, this week, at the invitation of a friend, and because shuttles are available for part of the trek, it seemed the right time.

Photo by Leigh Hilbert -- looking up the pali -- toward the Pu'u O'o vent -- flowing from Kilauea Volcano

Since the flow path returned to the ocean, several large lava "shelves" have broken off and fallen into the ocean, creating danger for hikers resulting in re-routing for site seers. It is a job the park services and county take very seriously. While bikes are available, it seemed smart to take a shuttle out to the drop off point where the hike began. From there it was over four miles out (one-way) to see the flow.
Most people had already been out during the day and now were returning -- wearing headlamps or riding well lit bicycles. Very few people were going out, maybe because it was dark, but we wanted to take full advantage of the dusk-to-dark ambiance for full impact.

Once there, we had the option of turning right to follow the glowing river up the pali (cliffs) or left toward the ocean. We joined small groups of people clustered around, quietly humbled at the raw power as we watched streams of lava pour into the sea. Knowing we faced the return four-mile hike, we did not linger long and were surprised by a gentle rain shower as we began the trek back. We have to give a shout out to Kalapana Cultural Tours who provide a variety of safe, informative services. Mahalo especially to Dwayne!

The OBAMA FISH!

Recently a new BASSLET fish was discovered in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument -- and it has been named for President Obama -- Tosanoides Obama.

In 2006 President Bush set aside about 140,000 square miles of marine national monument that was later expanded by President Obama in 2016.

*Papahanaumokuakea is the name of the place where this newly discovered fish lives, but don't let that long name intimidate you. Many long Hawaiian words are actually made up of smaller words, so here it is broken down.

PAPA - Earth Mother --HANAU - Birth
MOKU - Island  - AKEA - Sky/Father

It "sounds like this" pa-pa-hah-now-mo-koo-ah-keh-ah, and translated it describes a fertile woman giving birth to a wide stretch of islands beneath a benevolent father sky.

The political side to this issue relates to the fact that Trump is expected soon to issue an executive order repealing the Obama administration’s moratorium on new federal land leases for coal mining. Trump appointee, Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, is responsible for those leases, and has come out strongly against Obama’s moratorium.  (source thehill.com) At his confirmation hearing, Zinke endorsed long-held Republican policies like allowing more oil and natural gas drilling.

Carved from Koa - approx 7-8" -- $29

But he also came out strongly in favor of conservation priorities that Democrats hold dear, and promised to oppose large-scale transfers of federal land to state or private interests. This apparent commitment helped secure the necessary Democrat votes for his confirmation.  If you would like to express your opinion on retaining these federal protected lands, you can contact the Department of the Interior: feedback@ios.doi.gov 

Carved from Ironwood, hand tinted, approx 10-11 -$50

Of course Phil has already created the design for an OBAMA FISH and will craft them from Koa (sample) adding to his collection of hand-carved Hawaiian Reef Fish. He is also considering doing a hand tinted version like the one I GOT!!! for Mother's Day (made from Big Island Ironwood.)
If you would like your own OBAMA FISH, just email us:  haysmer@sonic.net

** Links to additional info on the Papahanaumokuekea National Monument
National Geographic article
Washington Post - Obama Fish

The Humboldt/Hawaii Connection

Mahalo for Alex Grey's art:  alexgrey.com

No, this is not an ancient island goddess, but it does reflect one of the many connections between Humboldt County California and the Big Island. We know folks from both places who apparently wave to each other while taking opposing flights seeking jobs in the industry.

Well, now it looks like we found yet another interesting Hawaii/Humboldt connection through the purchase of a book that Phil wanted for his birthday. Hawaiian Yesterdays is a collection of over 500 historical photographs taken by Ray Jerome Baker. Baker was an early 20^th century photographer who first came to Eureka in 1904.  His first studio was a temporary tent on E Street but the wet winter forced him to establish a permanent studio at the corner of E and 5^th. (Our gallery of 22 years was at the corner of F and 2nd.)  

Baker’s extensive photo collection of Humboldt County is now in the collection of Humboldt State University.  He became friends with Jack London who visited Eureka often and who also encouraged Baker to visit Hawaii. Baker and his wife Edith (who hand tinted his color photos) visited the Hawaiian Islands in 1908 – they loved it and after staying for several months they returned to Eureka, closed the studio, packed up and made the permanent move to Hawaii.  (This reminded us of our buying a house in Puna while on vacation…and moving to the Big Island one year later!!)

Big Island: Woman weaving lauhala into hat( 1915)

“Baker’s camera caught everything around him: the people, places and events …of the Hawaiian people and their vanishing lifestyles, members of various ethnic groups, aerial landscapes, historical sites and native flora." (from flyleaf of book)

We both expect to spend many hours pouring over this extensive collection. It helps us appreciate the cultural renaissance here in Hawai'i with deep roots in the traditions of the past and a forward-looking vision for the future through the revitalization of language, dance and cultural traditions.

Baker has a room dedicated to his photography at Oahu's Bishop Museum - "The Ray Jerome Baker room." To learn more about Baker and his lengthy collection of books and published articles: LINK to Jerome Baker