Hou ho'o maka'ana

Hou ho'o maka'ana -- New beginnings! 

Now that the woods and jungle "edges" of the property have been delineated with pick axe, pruning clippers and hedge cutters, we are getting back to designing more lava walled beds. The bed pictured here is a big extension on an existing group of plantings (that did not have lava around them.)

Those big trees to the right and behind are our lovely ohia trees that are covered with red blossoms beginning around February through May, mostly.

We have already gone through TWO truck loads of red cinder, and one of soil, so we may soon have to get more. 

For four months this year, the canopy structure (right) was in front of the house -- for the contractors as they built the ohana addition.  We have now relocated it to the side and plan to turn it into a greenhouse, except, in Hawaii it is called a "shade house."   We have ordered custom made shade fabric that will allow 1/2 light and rain to come through.  This will give us a place to grow lettuce, spinach and other greens that don't do well in our hot, direct sun -- and be a place to hang out in the evening mosquito-free.

Other "new beginnings" include some cuttings off of angel trumpet vines (peach, yellow and white) from our friend Yani over in Honaunau (Kona side).   Although we have said it before, it is true!  Take your cuttings (even in November) stick them in a pot of cinder and soil and wait a couple weeks; in a couple weeks they will have new baby roots and new leaves. (Of course, when they do, I'll send another photo.)

Bradajo (Brother Jo)

Over two years ago, on our first visit to the big island, we were delighted to attend an assemblage exhibit hosted by SKEA, a lovely small art association in south Kona, just a few blocks away from where we were staying with our friend Yani near Honaunau.

Out of all the exhibitors' assemblages Lunel was instantly and singularly drawn to the art of one man who signed his pieces "Jozuf."  As she was standing in front of one piece with a big grin on her face, she was surprised when the man who was standing beside her turned out to be the artist!  He asked what she liked about his art, and she shrugged and replied, "It makes me smile."  He grinned, gave her a hug, and said, "Then, you 'get it.'"

This month, two and a half years later, she was over on the Kona side again, this time to stop at the vacation rental where our Blue Lake friends from Humboldt were staying, and to visit Yani again.  When she walked into the house (where she had never been) the walls were covered with Jozuf's art!!

Also, on the coffee table were books of his poetry -- all in Hawaiian pidgin!

The home belongs to a lovely, energetic woman named Betsy who operated a kayak business for many years.  When Lunel sat down in her living room for a chat, it was like meeting an old friend.  Betsy informed us that Jozuf (whose literary name is Bradajo) was doing a reading of his poetry at Basically Books in Hilo on August 17th.  We invited both of them to supper and talk-story after the reading, when we found out that Jozuf and Lunel had the same birthday -- August 14th.  Phil and Jozuf had much in common including their passion for wood and both having taught sculpture for many years.  We're thrilled to meet such folks and plan on seeing more of them.

We invite you to visit Jozuf's website, and/or....


www.jozufhadley.com


Visit this link to listen to samples from several of Jozuf's bemusing poems.
 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bradajo3