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