El Nino in Hawaii

 

Five Years Later

 

A New Island for Hawaii

 

A NEW Island for Hawii –

If you read our recent blog about the recent earthquake activity, you see the epicenter of that activity near the south end of Hawaii Island.  And, it is near where another active and growing underwater volcano is also forming. 

About 19 miles off the southeast coast of Moku o Keawe, and approximately 3,200 feet below sea level, an active underwater volcano is slowly making its way to the surface. Back in 1955, scientists named the volcano “Lōʻihi” (long) based solely on its physical characteristics.

The new name chosen by  a select group is “KAMA ‘EHUA KANALOA.”  Because an undersea volcano is the birth of Pele from the ocean, the undersea volcano is a kama ʻehu a Kanaloa, a reddish child of Kanaloa.

Read more:  For the full Story from KA Wai Ola

STARS OVER HAWAII

 

When we retired and moved from California we were familiar with the constellations like Orion, Cassiopeia and so forth like this image (left)  

Because of our array of telescopes atop Mauna Kea, the island has very low lighting which means we do have excellent star scapes.

However, the star chart for Hawaii is very different. Early Polynesian navigators used four distinct “Star lines” to navigate  cross thousands of ocean miles.                                                                  

The Hawaiian names are, of course, in the Hawaiian language and translated they are: Kite of Kawelo and the Fish hook of Maui which can be seen in the fall and winter sky (shown below.) During winter/spring and spring/summer the star lines seen are named The Bailer and the Backbone. 

At Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo on the Big Island, lectures and special events offer educational opportunities to learn about Hawaii’s legacy of exploration.

 Imiloa Astronomy Center Hilo

The star line pictured here is called “The Backbone” -- one that is easier for us to see because it includes several more familiar constellations. It is Seen during the spring and summer months

For more information about star lines:

Hawaii Navigation by the Stars

Celebrate With Us!!!

This week we celebrated Father's Day, Summer Solstice and Phil's (big 80th) birthday! It also happens to be the one-year anniversary of Lunel's bilateral knee replacements.

So, what could be more perfect than a day at our favorite beach. It may not be the beach most people think of -- white sands, palm trees and gentle rolling waves.  No...  We live on the more rugged east side of the Big Island of Hawaii where our path to the water is formed from beautiful swirls of ancient lava called pahoehoe and the beach is black sand and smooth black pebbles. 

Driving there we go from 3500 elevation a couple miles from Kilauea Volcanoes National Park down to about 35 feet! There's no sign for it on the highway and it is a half mile walk...but what a lovely walk.

The area is steeped in cultural history and well tended. Going on a weekday means there's likely to be only a few people -- only the strongest swimmers and surfers -- brave the ocean. But the tide pools are a delight.

This year marks our 10th year of island-love -- it has been quite the adventure!

Life In The Slow Lane

 

Haysmer Hale Le'a Update

Besides the knees there IS actually other news. The garden Lunel worked on so lovingly in early spring is responding well to our comfortable summer 70-75 degrees. Although we loved our former home in Leilani Estates before the 2018 lava flow, it was too hot much of the days in summer time. So much has changed -- not only our home, the weather, there's Covid19 to contend with. The state of Hawaii now has over 300 cases -- and before you think that is small potatoes, our count is up 50% like many other states.

Lunel in the dog-yard. Dogs from left: Tuxedo Tudor, Uncle Poko, mommy Lani

But now, onto the KNEES!  Today marks one-month anniversary of Lunel's bilateral knee replacements. An interesting point is that although the total knee joint was replaced, she still has her original knee caps! Anyway, stitches are out, bandages are off and today she went down the stairs (with Phil spotting her carefully) to meander out to the close-by dog yard. We have an physical therapy office here in Volcano where she will begin a professionally guided recovery program.

Although we are at home 95% of the time, we are friends with many of our nearby neighbors and enjoy safe conversations along the driveways or from the front porches. We are so happy not only with our sweet "Hale Le'a" -- house of gladness, we are equally happy to have a real neighborhood of friends here in Ohia Estates, as well as old pals from the old neighborhood.

STAY SAFE, 
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

ALOHA FROM PHIL AND LUNEL

Onward!

It's been three weeks since Lunel's bilateral knee surgery and she's up and moving. Yesterday was pretty exciting as she make numerous trips around the house using a cane rather than the walker. Physical therapy at home was the right decision, but until she can handle stairs to get out to her garden, she's house-bound.

For a couple weeks Phil was doing double duty and a fine job of it too, but it was taking a toll on his energy. Fortunately we have a friend who does housekeeping who is able to come a couple times a week now so Phil can be in his favorite place -- our delightful art studio.

It has been interesting for Lunel to move at such a slower speed than she is used to, but as always, she puts 100% into any challenge. She's decided to call it "Slot Speed" and even bought a cute sloth puppet on-line much to the curiosity of the corgi dogs!

The state of Hawaii, and in particular the Big Island has been pretty pro-active about control of Covid, but even here we see numbers rising. Residents are most concerned about visiting vacationers who may wrongly think that because of our lower numbers, it is "safe" to be thoughtlessly unsafe.

Love to you all -- take care, be safe!

Let It Snow...Let It Snow!

From our house at 3500 feet

Yes SNOW in Hawaii along with palm trees and beaches. Here's a photo we took from our driveway looking up at Mauna Kea. At 13,800 elevation it is about one million years old and remains a deeply sacred cultural site in the hearts of the Hawaiian people.

(snow only on 2 mountain tops -- other white is clouds)

With its high elevation, dry environment, and stable airflow, Mauna Kea's summit is one of the best sites in the world for astronomical observation. 


Since the creation of an access road in 1964, thirteen telescopes funded by eleven countries have been constructed at the summit. Their construction on a landscape considered sacred by Native Hawaiians continues to be a topic of debate to this day.

Most of the volcano is underwater (as shown in this photo) and when measured from its underwater base, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, measuring over  33,000 ft in height. The artistic depiction above illustrates so much of this mountain is below sea level.

And, here's an aerial photo showing sporadic cloud cover, snow on the peaks on Mauna Kea (upper mountain) and Mauna Loa. The map show the location of Volcano Village. No matter what direction our driving takes us, views of both are visible. Sun light, moon light, light clouds or stormy vistas -- even softly enshrouded in grey fleece, they are a magnificent presence. 

Finally, in contrast, here's a sweet rose growing across the street from our house -- now, we're on the hunt for roses for zone 11 so we can have some too.

20-20 Vision for 2020

In 2011, when we first discussed retiring in Hawaii on the Big Island, we knew it would be a life changing event - we just didn't know in what ways. We knew about lava, knew the islands were created by lava, knew about the stories, mythology and the geological history of lava and its destructive and creative power.

Close-up of olivine

We even interview many locals about their experiences and thoughts about potential eruptions in the Puna District; the most consistent comment was "not in my lifetime." Our decisions were further fortified by events from previous lava eruptions when elected officials, real estate agents and insurance agents claimed that "lava loss would fall under the category of "fire" and therefore covered by insurance." Live and learn, right?!

As we have shared before, while in a coma and prior to the fire that destroyed our home (before it was covered by lava) Lunel had two vision/dreams the hospital. In each she found diamonds at the leading edges of lava flows. In some way that subtle message from her unconscious awareness continued to help us focus on the "gems" we have found through this past two years. This blog is about GEMS!!

Lunel's birthstone is PERIDOT pictured above. What we didn't realize until the eruption was that lava contains OLIVINE (a lower grade of peridot) which is brought to the surface in lava! and is also found in metorites!

Beautiful lava formations we uncovered (previous home)

Lava with olivine

One of the many things we enjoyed about our previous home in Leilani Estates was the beautiful lava formations, many of them we uncovered from overgrown jungle and invasive vines and plants. Moving into our new home in Volcano, no such formations were visible -- that is until Lunel began to excavate and remove soil!

Lava that Lunel uncovered as a 'feature' in our yard

Under several inches of top-soil, she found and meticulously uncovered lava forms of pahoehoe. Of course, since the whole island was formed from lava, it is not surprising, but we wanted to re-connect with that power. Here's a photo of one of the large areas she resurrected and turned into a lovely fire-pit gathering area in our yard.

Wheelbarrows of dirt removed to uncover lava

Lava "blister" (with olivine) we found

During the work, we found some formations we had not seen before filled with olivine, and a "blister" also pictured.

Neither of us are "Polyanas" but we both know that how we look at life is a strong determiner of how we experience life. For this coming new year of 2020 -- we want our "vision" to be 20-20 as we continue to focus on the "gems" that life has blessed us with.

Haysmers' New Art

Poliahu

During the past year as artists the creative process has been an absolutely essential tool for dealing with our loss and grief. The day after Lunel came out of a coma and was released from the hospital Phil helped her by a few art supplies so she could begin a new journal.

With some of the go-fund-me money gifts, Phil immediately bought wood-working tools. Neither of us stopped creating; we found our emotions were channeled into the healing process of making art -- particularly in response to the enormous loss of our retirement home and 99% of the contents (including our art and art collections.)

Ai La'au  (Forest Eater)

"Moving Through Fear"

During July the Wailoa Center in Hilo, together with Hawaii Island Art Alliance (HIAA) is hosting an exhibit for artists' work specifically related to last year's Kilauea's lava eruption. During this time Lunel has created three journals full of art -- over 400 images in about 400 days; some of these images have been shared in previous blog entries; she has been asked to offer a class in July to share her unique process of  using images combined with quotes, drawings and poems.

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.  Thomas Merton

This last year Phil has been experimenting with his latest tool -- a Japanese carving tool, and with it -- he has created four new bas-relief pieces. Three are directly related to the Hawaiian mythological characters, including Pele, Poliahu (Pele's snow sister) and Ai La'au who was the personage living in Kilauea crater before the arrival of Pele to the Big Island. 

"Deep Water Challenge"

Pele

His last image while more ocean-related still addresses the unusual "voyage" we have made in our lives this last year. The vessel is a traditional Polynesian sailing vessel "Wa-a."

May Day - Lei Day!

We are coming up on some significant anniversaries in May, as most of our friends and blog readers realize. (coma, fire, Leilani lava, homeless, legal fight and slow recovery, AND our 33rd anniversary!)

However TODAY is  Lei Day in Hawaii - Lei Day is a statewide celebration in all of Hawaii. The celebration begins in the morning of May first every year and continues throughout the entire day and even continues onto the next day. Lei day was established as a holiday in the year of 1929 and continues to this day.

This past week we attended a premier showing of a 1-hour documentary created by Hawaii News Now that featured interviews with local Puna residents about their experience. Our story was included and Lunel's interview came up early in the film. 

This LINK will take you to a very short recorded segment and a longer written description. Hawaii News Now - Haysmer Interview

(And, here's a LINK to the FULL version of the film:
  "Pele's Path" - full length story

The room was filled with hundreds of people who, like we, were looking back at last May, but also supporting each other in the present as we move into the future.

Close-up of the Leis we received

After the viewing, we decided to go out for a little lunch. While we were eating, two women we did not know, came over to our table and presented us with gorgeous leis -- saying that they recognized us from the film and wanted to show their aloha and support by presenting us with their own leis! We were a little surprised, but also find that our story has reached a pretty wide audience here in Hawaii.

Phil's latest --  a carving of Pele

"Remember then: there is only one time that is important - NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time we have any power."  Leo Tolstoy

A year later we both feel we have "aged" -- we are both hoping that like good cheese or fine wine,  we will get better over time. We are also keenly aware that during the whole year, we have been loved and supported along the way by friends, neighbors and even strangers!

Blessed LEI DAY!!

We're In The PINK!!

YES!  we are "in the pink" -- moved in yesterday with help from friends.
Living Coral Is Pantone’s 

2019 Color of the Year

The company announced today that Living Coral, a bright coral shade, is its 2019 Color of the Year. Although it may seem more pink in nature, Pantone describes Living Coral as “an animated, life-affirming shade of orange, with golden undertones.” 

The decision of what will be the next year’s Color of the Year is up to the Pantone Color Institute, Pantone’s consulting division that analyzes each year’s color trends. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.” 

(Of course the Haysmers’ new home in Volcano, Hawaii was central to the final decision. Additional complimentary colors were based largely on Haysmers' choices for their new living room rug, and colors for their landscaping plans.)

Pantone also cited Living Coral as a color of carefree happiness. A press release says it “symbolizes our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits”—a feeling that, perhaps, people might be craving in today’s landscape

https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/living-coral-is-pantones-2019-color-of-the-year/

Hurricane Lane

Hurricane Lane over Hawaii - photo from NASA

While Hurricane Lane presents a severe situation, we are snug and safe. This post is just to let our blog followers know that the Haysmer Family -- Phil, Lunel and three corgyn are safe and secure. Just a few hours ago, Hurricane Lane appeared to be moving away...but has since turned back toward the island -- a rather unusual occurrence. 

Our lovely landlady has pulled out extra boots, weather proof rain gear from her private stash, so we can get the laundry done, and take the dogs out to pee. Speaking of which -- they are NOT happy to be wading through an inch or more standing water! In our former home -- rains like this soaked into the porous lava -- up here at 3500 foot elevation, there is enough soil to create real lakes of standing water, and flooded roads. Parts of the Big Island are reporting 20-30 inches of rain per hour, and while it has not stopped here for about 24 hours, we are safe and dry.

This NASA view appears so beautiful and peaceful -- quite a contrast to the flooding and danger in many places over all of the islands.  Namaste' 

For more meteorological and accurate, scientific reports just goggle Hurricane Lane and Hawaii

Disturbing Incident

(revision of post) Well, dear readers, as if losing our retirement home is not bad enough, we have discovered that photos of our property are being used in a variety of ways. While some may be innocent, generally demonstrating the on-going catastrophe, some are being used on Go-Fund-Me accounts to get money even while their houses are still standing.

We DO understand that nearly everyone in our beautiful subdivision is suffering those whose homes are gone as well as those who have had to evacuate and their lovely homes that are still standing. As we said, some uses of this photo are not done with deliberate intention to defraud.

However, for us, personally, it is very disturbing to find photos of what was our house being used in this way. The photo was taken from our neighbor's driveway across the street on LUANA street -- adjacent to Fissure #8. That is our front driveway, our gate, our palms -- our complete loss; I was in a coma in ICU at the hospital at the time of the emergency evacuation and Phil had less than an hour to so our loss is total -- except for computer and dogs.

On the one hand is this unbelievable loss and on the other hand, the generosity of both friends and strangers. We are deeply appreciated the donations we have received on a Go-Fund-Me account that was set up FOR us by friends in Humboldt County (where we lived for 22 years). We also are grateful for the beautiful family in Kea'au who have taken us and our three corgi dogs in until we can find our way to a new life in an uncertain future.

We have been treated only with compassion and kindness by the Red Cross, FEMA volunteers, and SBA as well as other neighbors. We wish only the best outcome for everyone during this distressing time. We only ask that people be honest about their losses and their OWN situation. 

Another WISH for us is that we have  been waiting for over six weeks now to hear about our insurance coverage, and it is only contributing to our anxiety and depression not to KNOW about our coverage. We are going to write letters to the governor, states representatives, and congress people as well as our local district supervisors -- anyone who can apply pressure to help us get some answers.

In the meantime, Peace, Phil and Lunel

Magma Chamber

For those of you visiting, and maybe wondering what is going on with the Haysmers -- no, we have not fallen into the magma chamber that opened only a few days ago spewing lava and cinder. You have probably already seen images on your favorite viewing devices. As we described in previous blogs, we are being treated with true aloha-spirit, housed comfortably with our four corgi dogs a few miles away from what once was our home in Leilani Estates on the Big Island.

What you may not have seen is the beautiful piece that Phil created for the state-wide, juried June exhibit at the Wailoa Center in Hilo. We received notice of his acceptance just a few days after our sudden evacuation, and had to notify the coordinators that, sadly, Pele had already claimed possession.

We received a surprisingly kind response from HIAA (Hawai'i Island Art Alliance) Board that they wanted (with Phil's permission) to enter his piece anyway -- offering to print and frame the piece on his behalf. With tears in our eyes, we said "yes." We thought those of you visiting our blog would enjoy seeing what the actual piece looked like before it became Pele's offering. As for "offerings" we thank all of the many that are coming our way -- each one precious -- each one gratefully received. As we can, we will be sending out more individual "thank yous" to each of you.

Phil was also recently interviewed by our previous Eureka home publications Times-Standard and the Northcoast Journal. He was also amazed that the Lansing State Journal in Michigan where he spent many years also called for an interview. It was there that he received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Michigan State University and taught sculpture at Lansing Community College for a short time.

If you would like to, there are links below to those articles.

Times-Standard (Eureka CA)
Lansing State Journal (Michigan)
Northcoast Journal (Humboldt County)

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.