Four Years and Counting

Fragrant Pua Kinikini

Red blooms of Hawaiian Ti

We began to buy plants for our undeveloped acre long before the container of our personal possessions arrived at the port of Hilo on the Big Island.

As is true in life, some things don't grant you the delight of instant gratification like the familiar annuals (or even perennials) of  The Continent.

Hybrid Bromeliad
 (Reba for size perspective)

That being said, we had no idea that we might have to wait not two or three years, but four or five years for some of our first one-gallon purchases to bloom.

Newly planted bed outside
our front gate (bromeliads)

One of many Heliconia varieties

Ta DAH....well, this is that year, and we are delighted with some significant and crazy blooms.

While these may appear to be exotic, here in the rainy jungle-forest area the Puna District, they show up frequently in gardens we have visited.

On our visit to the Botanical Gardens above Hilo, we were stunned by the outrageous blooms of both Heliconia and Bromeliads, and of course the huge variety of colorful Ti plants, so these are featured in our landscaping. In addition to the flowers, our fruit trees have been loaded with both blossoms and fruit. Like many of our friends and neighbors, we have a couple trees each of oranges, tangerines, limes and lemons, a couple dozen pineapple plants, passion fruit (Liliko'i), papayans -- and eatable.

WE WILL UPDATE THIS POST WITH A PHOTO OF THE HYBRID BROMELIAD WHEN IT BLOOMS (PICTURED ABOVE AS JUST A 'STOCK') SHOULD BE STUNNING. 

Moss & Artful Companions

Here in Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii, February was a wet month with over 30 inches of rain at our house although some elevations got a lot more. Here in the Puna District, however, our wealth is, in part, measured by how much water is in our 10,000 gallon catchment tank (artfully disguised with beautiful plantings.) This is our only source of water for our household and apartment.

The other day there was a break in the rain that allowed us to resume some of our outside yard projects, and we both were amazed at how many little surprises we found in the yard -- mosses, lichen and mushrooms in particular. We each took turns with the camera trying to catch the magic that then inspired some additional art and poetry! So, here's some of what we found and a little poem I wrote.

"MOSS SONG" by lunel

when the light is low

and shadows long

the mosses sing

the best slow songs

notes in a minor key

with altos strong

It seems like nearly everyone we know finds a way to create art, even our multi-talented yard helper, Marcus. Just this morning we ran into him at our local Leilani Estates Garage Sale where he had a few of his paintings for sale. I found one that I loved and he was willing to part with. The link below is a delightful time-lapse U-Tube video of Marcus painting it. Please check it out -- I hope you enjoy: Marcus painting: "Grasses"

Got no pot!

Months after moving in -- our neighbor's gift of cuttings

When we first retired and moved to the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii, we bought a newly constructed house on one acre. Half the lot was a forest of ohia trees (80% of  died quickly from a horrible infection/fungus that is slowing killing thousands and thousands of the island's ohia trees.) Those trees were surrounded by huge mounds of invasive bushes and vines.

Outside nursery --  pots

Pots in the greenhouse

Overflow - more pots

Waiting for pots

The other half of the lot was nearly bare -- nothing  but red cinder on the "ground" -- the ground being lava. Our gracious next door neighbor was kind enough to take us around his property with his machete whacking off lots of cuttings to get us started.


He also gave us a couple dozen one-gallon pots.Since then we have bought many plants, but retained all the pots to propagate cuttings -- so easy to do in this climate. There have been times when nearly all the pots are stacked neatly in the greenhouse -- literally hundreds of then, and I wonder if I should reduce the stacks and recycle some.

Potted plants waiting to be planted

This week, after pruning I decided to pot up a few cuttings -- and WHAT!!! where are all the pots?? And, I realized they were nearly all in use! Hard to believe, and I'm the master gardener around here. It seemed so funny (at least to me) I decided just to take a series of photos of all the pots (in use) with rooted cutting, bulbs, seeds and such -- just waiting to be incorporated into the landscaping.

How, you may wonder, can anyone use all those plants? Well, when's the last time you paced off a full one-acre lot? We have nearly 30 landscaping beds on our expanding acre, and there are still "bald" spaces !! Oh, no! And, for further silly creativity, all the beds have names, such as:  "Moon Bed," "Poliahu's White Bed," "Monarch Bed," "Sam's Hill," "Dark Goddesses Bed," "Kate's Bed," oh, and the "Once Ugly Bed." ("And," Phil added, "she does all this for fun!!)

"Plumbing" for Pests

simple pvc coqui trap

Many of our friends here on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the district of PUNA in particular, remember when you did NOT hear the perturbing sounds of the infamous COQUI frogs all night long.

 LISTEN TO COQUI  As you listen to this short video, imagine this sound multiplied 1000x – then maybe you won’t think it is so cute.  At our house, we have tried to keep most of the vegetation away from the house, but if a few of these little buggers are near your bedroom window – you have to use earplugs.

Yes, if you are visitor, there is some enchantment, but most of us locals find them annoying. At least we know when the temperature falls to 60 degrees because they are quiet.

Apparently this invasive species arrived in Hawaii from Puerto Rico in 1988. While Puerto Rico residents seem to adore them as their mascot; here, however, they have a negative impact by eating many of the insects that would be consumed by the insectivore birds that are actually native to the island. If they keep growing in numbers, they may contribute to the decline of local native species.  

Our neighbor's nightly catch

The male calls the females and mating pairs here can produce an egg clutch of 150 eggs every 20 days!!  Since adult coqui frogs live 4-6 years – the chances of eradication are small.  It is an exponential challenge.  There are some places around Puna where you can hardly hear your own voice – especially in the more jungle-like areas. 

Our main goal is to catch as many as we can (especially close to the house)  using this simple technique (offered by UH) and our next door neighbor.  They can be killed by freezing, very hot water, or citric juice.

Phil's Newest Art

On our very first visit to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2011 we saw a beautiful bird called the Koa'e Kea who nests in the cliffs around Kilauea volcano. Info - Koa'e Kea.


We also purchased art done by one of the most widely recognized Hawaii artists, Dietrick Varez best known for creating over 200 linoleum block prints. Here is one of his beautiful block prints of the white tailed Koa'e Kea -- Tropicbird. INFO: D. Varez

Phil's wood shop is loaded with wood of all shapes and sizes. Sometimes a piece of wood will wait for a long time to reveal what it wants to be -- and Phil will patiently wait for that magic to happen. In this case, a special piece of koa spoke to him and he accepted the challenge. One piece of wood was split in half to create mirror-images of grain pattern for the wings. The base is also made of koa wood.

See more of Phil's art at:
One Gallery Downtown Hilo
Banyan Gallery- Banyan Drive Hilo
and at
http://www.onegalleryhawaii.com/pgphaysmer.html

Farewell to 2017

Hawaii Night Sky

"Night Sky"

To see more of Miles Morgan's amazing photograph -- www.milesmorganphotography.com

Studying the night sky,
I find that starlight falls
quite gently on my face.
It is not as if I had
anything to hide, though
my hot mammal thoughts
simmer endlessly.
The stars do not mind.
They are cool and remote
shining without passion
or possession through
the long cosmic miles.
It is their distance
that comforts me.
Above the stirring
and blood violence
they are serene.
Their dispassionate light
coolly lingers on my skin.
I taste the cold immensity
of distance and grow calm.

Sherri Rose-Walker
Copyright 1987

Last night was the longest night of the year and the stars from the back porch at 3am were glorious. While I cannot capture their beauty either in photograph or poetry, I am very grateful to those who can, like Miles Morgan and Sherri Rose-Walker, who as been my friend since about 1986; she is my absolute favorite poet.

Solstice Surprises

When it came time to think about a seasonal holiday tree, we actually went out and topped five feet off one of our pine-like ironwood trees - it seemed a simple solution to  over-priced imported trees.

Then, as close to 30 Monarch caterpillars (from our aviary) transformed into 24k gold decorated jade ornaments, and we transferred them to two bare branches, we realized we would actually have a rather unique "Chrysalis Tree." ("click"on photos to enlarge)

Wings finally dry -- ready for first flight

"Rooms For Rent" - by Lunel Haysmer

Over the past week, we have witnessed nearly 20 Monarch butterflies emerge and take flight, and, there still about 6-8 remaining that will fly off by Christmas. It has been such an unexpected joy. And, by carefully transferring chrysalis to tree branches, we have shared some with friends and classrooms. WATCH: Caterpillar to Chrysalis


With all of our chrysalis "hung up with care,"  Phil also found a perfect small cut pine tree that we have loaded up with lights, and all of our favorite traditional decorations. So, we are blessed this year with several trees!

Above are a few pictures taken in this last week. As the butterflies come out of their cocoons, their wings take a little time to dry. Then, we carefully carefully take them out to some of their favorite places in the garden for their first flight.

The last image is an artfully adapted photograph I took of one of the "chrysalis trees" after all the monarchs had hatched.

caterpillar dreams

of wings and sweet nectar

while munching tough leaves

david de la croes

Lunar Leo

Born in mid-August, I fall into the astrological sign of Leo, but my true affinity has always been for the moon; no surprise with a name like LUNEL.

Facing East - Sun through the trees

Turning West - Full moon setting

Each month for the full moon, I head down to "da pond" - Ahalanui where, at high tide, waves crash over the lava wall protecting our favorite local swimming spot.

During most of the year, I can make it down for an evening swim. Watching the sun fade and the sky turn pale lavendar, pink and blue, the moon will rise large over the ocean. During the winter, a moon light swim at night sometimes presents more of a challenge as it is darker earlier.

Last Monday, for the full moon, I rose at 6am for a drive down to swim. Going out the door to the car, I had to stop dead in my tracks as the sunrise coming through the trees on the east side of the property was so glorious. I took a photo, and then, turning to the west, I found another stunning view -- the moon setting in the west. Not a bad way to start the day!

Down the Rabbit Hole

On December 1st I had what I can only describe as an Alice in Wonderland kind of day.

Many things happened that were well within the norm for us -- dogs, mail, meals, some yard work, a painting project a little news and a movie. It began with coffee, feeding the corgyn and a discussion about what the day would bring, ruled tyrannically by the weather -- go with the flow and all that.  Then the monthly Civil Defense siren went off -- as did the singing dogs, of course. But THEN... the second siren went off...playing a different elongated blast!!

AND   DOWN 
      THE  RABBIT HOLE 
                    I WENT

While it was blasting, I wondered if any other states, on the continent, were practicing BOMBS INCOMING drills. I experienced an odd unreality temporal dislocation of some kind - f**k me! I was in elementary school hiding under my desk. What reality is this? For better or worse, I didn't stay in that lane for long because our friendly yard guy showed up to unload some mulch.

Later there was a stunning bacon-lettuce-tomato-cucumber-avocado sandwich on rye, a few emails and preparing "puppy lunch" for "Tudor."

Monarchwatch.org gives instructions on care

Then, another kind of rabbit hole experience -- the care and feeding of over 30 Monarch caterpillars who are all creating exquisite pale green jade chambers for their magnificent transformation. Many more are now hanging from the "ceiling" of the enclosure.

NEXT -- carefully following the instructions of the folks at Monarch Watch GO MONARCHS  I carefully tied thread around the base of the cocoon to remove it so I could transfer. I am getting some ready for local teacher to use in her classroom.

Pleas and Deals a comin'

Another Rabbit Hole experience was its own brand of weird -- for the first time in months, I think I saw a hint of grin on Adam Schiff's face today.

But then again I saw another grin on the faces of the Trump children after the tax bill passed.

Not my usual post, but a response to the current UNREALITY.

Typical Days in Phil's Week

Puna Rain Man

One of Phil's Koa Butterfly

Imagining our retirement was a pretty vague pastime before we vacationed in Hawaii in 2011 Since moving here, we have each continued to enjoy those things we love most -- our amazing corgi dogs, our independent and collaborative artistic adventures, and being outside much of the day. (Click on any photo to enlarge.)

Phil's day begins in the kitchen, making coffee and feeding the four corgyn. Phil usually spends some coffee time with morning news, checks the nearly nightly rainfall, and then heads down to his workshop full of tools. One thing we both knew when we moved -- Phil would somehow incorporate his passion for WOOD into the retirement plans.

Watch the "open space" behind Phil...

Heck ya -- they've lost their marbles

Phil has a good network of guy friends who get together regularly for guys night, dinner, darts, talk-story of favorite pastimes world travels and adventures.

But, mostly it's Puna-Talk -- solar conversions, pot holes in da road, latest prescriptions for pests, new tools and toys, (vehicles, building equipment) drone-madness, trapping feral cats, who's got pigs in their yard, and, who's got the "meanest green." (Phil marble-izing with a friend)

Phil's Newest Wood art for Gallery

Phil in his Santana T-shirt, directing

Talk includes property maintenance like cutting trees. So, recently we had our favorite tree guy over to cut down a junk tree near the front of our property that was nearly covering the wires to our house -- as well as the street lines for electricity and cable along our street.

Somewhat jokingly, the professional appointed Phil as traffic manager (like there are 17 homes on our mile stretch, so there's little to worry about -- that is, except when you invite your tree trimmer over.) Sure enough all of a sudden there's cars and people stopping, chatting, and having a spontaneous party in the middle of the block. At one time I counted 7 or 8 people!

Wall created and
windows added.
Now a sitting area

Need local gift? $29 each

And, of course, Phil continues to sell his beautiful hand carved fish made from local wood through his galleries.

A couple weeks ago Phil began to create a wall along one side of the carport -- an area that could provide an additional work and storage space. We had some left over windows from previous project, so they were used after it was framed in. After cutting siding and painting to match the house -- it looks like it was always there!