Puppies for Thanksgiving?!?!

Here's Phil with Koa -- a handsome Corgi for our Princess I'Ilani (ee ee lani).

Although they met earlier this year, their love was not consummated until this week....which means Corgi puppies for Thanksgiving.  (Not what you are thinking....we will still have TURKEY!)

Puppies!!! Puppies!!!


Some mornings, before "dad" is up, the three "kids" and I head out to the back steps to enjoy the early morning sun and a cup of tea.  The sun angle at this time of year is so magical as it moves across the yard.

Ao Pokole Poko (Short Cloud) is on the top step, Princess I'Ilani (Midget from Heaven) middle, and Reba-Bo-Beba (mom) on the lower.

The other day, Phil caught an image we think must be a garden sprite.  (Although it has been enhanced some, it did indeed have a 'bubble-like' shape with rainbow colors.)

REMEMBER:  You can 'click' on any photo for a better view.

Ahab and Ahab's Wife

As Ahab eyed me, he said, "What I really really want are wheels."

On a visit to Kona side some months ago, I fell in love with a beautifully carved horn in the shape of a whale at one of our favorite antique stores. He was just so charming!

Taking him out at home I polished him with some wax,  and decided to call him "Ahab>"  I was admittedly stunned when he said, "...but what I really really want are wheels."  My eyebrows lifted, I cocked my head to the side, shrugged and said, "Sure, why the hell not!" I got distracted though (who ME?) for a while, but recently I took him out to play and see...about wheels.  Phil helped me find some wheels at the hardware store that I was able to antique.  Using thick copper wire I created a frame to hold the wheels.  Looking good, but there was just one more thing....a shining spout of copper water!!

Interestingly, a few weeks later I was attracted to a used book at the local bookstore in Pahoa entitled Ahab's Wife.  If you want a good book, I whole-heartedly recommend it, and have provided a LINK to just one of many amazing reviews.  If you're curious read ... A review of Ahab's Wife

Pineapples and Hummingbirds

Tidy pineapple patch -- with one of our three papaya "tree" in front

After a number of years of developing our pineapple patch, we have nearly 50 beautiful plants.  When we bought the property in 2012, there were about half a dozen producers, but over the past years, they have grown top heavy with low-producing shoots.  Last week while weeding the patch (avoiding the spines near the eyes,) I realized it was time to remove the big guys and plant some better producing new plants.  Next year we ought to have quite a harvest. 



The beaded hummingird in the photo was a recent birthday gift from a friend after her recent visit to Guatemala.  When we first moved to the Puna District of the Big Island, we wondered why there were no Hummingbirds in Hawaii. 

Pineapples are unable to self-fertilize. They will only develop seeds if they are cross-pollinated with another pineapple plant. But WAIT!!   Do we want SEEDS in our pineapples?  NO. The primary pollinators of pineapples are…you may have guessed it… hummingbirds. Which is why these delightful tiny winged creatures are on Hawaii's "no fly list."

While pineapples can reproduce sexually through seeds, here we propagate them by planting the crowns.  When we eat our pineapples, we simply cut off and save the “top” – put it in a pot for a few months to get well rooted, then plant it.  After you have picked a pineapple the plant will produce duplicate side shoots that will produce more fruit.  Eventually, however, these giant plants are removed and replaced with fresh starts.  The final photos are of the very last tiny white pineapple of this year’s harvest, but nearly all the rest were full size.

Wheel of Fortune?

THE GAME??:         WHEEL OF FORTUNE!
THE CATEGORY:   BEFORE AND AFTER
THE ANSWER:        "HURRICANE-ARMS-OF-FLOWERS"

As the arms of the hurricane Madeline spiral in closer to the Big Island of Hawaii we are experiencing "waves" of weather. (Udate below**) There are hour long bursts of tremendous rain and wind, followed by lulls of blue sky when your senses tell you it is "over" -- but it really isn't. Such is life in Puna on the Big Island during hurricane season.

Enough flowers to create 5 lovely arrangements

As has been the pattern since we retired and relocated here, the weather determines everything. Yesterday, we followed our checklist:  secure loose items around the property including umbrellas, chairs, yard equipment, garbage containers, flower pots, etc.  It also meant we needed to mow NOW because in another few days it would be hard pushing.  Phil started the generator and I walked the property looking for suspicious long branches or plants that needed to be pruned to prevent breaking.

The brunt of Madeline is expected to arrive around 2-3pm today. So, for now, in between the alternating waves of weather I strolled out to gather arms full of flowers, and Phil made a trip to a friends house to pick up some koa wood for his art projects.

As neighbors, we are all checking on each other, rounding up stray pets, sharing "remember when Iselle hit" stories, emptying the rain gauges (2 inches in last 12 hours) and focusing on indoor projects.   A HUI HO!!    ((Update** lots of rain, wind and storm surges, but we are safe.  Some damages along coastline for residents.  The gift of Iselle is that we KNOW it can and does happen and are better prepared.)

Rack 'em Up!!

We are as ready as we can be, having had some experience now....so how about some MUSIC??

MUSIC!!  Play "Rack 'em Up" while you read!

Madeline is expected tomorrow followed by Hurricane Lester

We aren't very far into hurricane season here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but it looks like we have some serious weather headed our way.

Looking at this NOAA image that was in the Star Advertiser, all I could think of was "rack 'em up." and of course a great song by Jonny Lang.  We have had pretty good luck so far because our "storm cruncher" volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea do tend to disrupt the arms of the storms as they approach the Big Island.  But, as always, the east side of the island, where we live, is pretty much where they all swing in to upon arrival. And, for better or worse, we have had some practice! We'll just make a bowl of pop-corn, light the candles, put on some good music, and dive into our favorite books....

"Oh NO, Mr. Bill...not the blender!!" 

All we could think of with this photo was SNL's -- Mr. Bill

Just for fun, we have included another very interesting image -- an artists view of the island that shows the shape of the islands below the water. We recommend you visit regularly or subscribe to dailygalaxy.com website!

Pele Greets Sister Namaka

Things are really flowing here on the Big Island of Hawaii!  Down here in Puna, where lava has been flowing continuously for over 30 years, "Punatics" are living on the edge -- literally.  A couple years ago, as you may know, the lava flow from Kilauea's Pu'u O'o vent rather suddenly changed directions and headed straight toward our little Village of Pahoa.  Stopping only a few hundred feet from splitting the town in half, thankfully the flow returned to a path taking it toward the ocean.

"Moon Rise at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

"Sunset at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

Once again Pele has made national news as lava is now flowing into the ocean. Or, as Hawaiian traditions tell, Pele has returned to embrace her sister, Namaka, Goddess of the Sea.

Like many local artists, I have been inspired to created two versions of one of my "lava drawings" -- to feature a MOON RISE in one, and a SUNSET in the other.

Please do not use these images without asking.  As with my other images, they are copyrighted, and available as 5x7 note cards ($3 each..)  They are available as gallery-wrapped 18x24" canvases.

For Christmas I will be offering them as quilted soft sculpture fabric art for wall hangings. You may contact me through this blog site for more information.   MAHALO


 

Big Island Lava!

Thanks to "Hawaiian Sailing Adventures" - Mahalo!!

Lunel's "Lava Moon"

Everyone here in Puna is pretty excited about the lava flow on the Big Island right now -- especially because it is NOT headed our way (this time) but flowing into the ocean. The national news has pick up some of the images. There are so many we are just posting our favorite (for this week.)

Our thanks to those people who are able to get up close and personal -- by taking the 4 mile hike....and trekking over some pretty treacherous terrain. *** Some are also taking lava tour boats for some amazing photos like the one shown here.

Helicopter tours are also available. Another image that got national attention this week was when "Tropical Visions Video" (Paradise Helicopters) flew over the Pu'u O'o crater and found....what?!  A "Smiley Face!"  If you click on this link you will have your own personal 5-minute tour of what can be seen from an aerial perspective --  Pu'u O'o "Smiley Face"

The power and energy of this is awe inspiring, and Lunel wanted to create her own interpretation with this image from her new "Moku Moe'uhane" Island Dreams collection.  (Available as a 18x24" stretched canvas print for $150, or in boxed note cards (8 for $22 variety includes images from July29th post.)

*** Visitors and locals can easily get injured on these treks -- "skim" lava that looks solid can still break through to molten hot spots below.  Use caution.

Lunel's New Lava-Inspired Art

Lunel with two new canvas of her abstract art.

Those of you who know me well, also know I am a compulsively creative person.  So... leaving Humboldt County to retire in the Puna District of the Big Island would mean leaving one kind of inspiration for an entirely new landscape and inspiration! It is hard to be an artist here in Hawai'i and NOT be inspired by this vital living land!

For three years I have been working on our property with some rather unusual "art tools" --my o'o bar and pick ax as I am learning to create with a brand new medium -- LAVA!! The curving lines of lava, and the colors of the landscape are coming through in a brand new, bold and colorful way.


I have entitled this set of images Moku Moe'uhane "Island Dreams" because the energy of the 'aina (land) works on and through me in a rather dream-like way. Everything here is always moving -- charged with energy. These images are my response to that movement and energy.

Lava Meets Ocean!

Once upon a time....

On a beautiful moonlit night (July 26th) in the wee hours of the morning (1:15am) the lava flowed down the pali and into the ocean -- once again.

Like our post mentioned a few days ago (7/15) lava in the Puna District of the Big Island of Hawaii has been flowing for decades -- NON STOP!! However it has changed directions a few times.

Local residents have been waiting for this night for many months as Kilauea lava, flowing through the Pu'u O'o fissure has been making its way to the ocean. On more level land, it moves slower and spreads, but when it approaches the pali (cliffs) it moves rapidly.   Here are some stunning photographs taken by our neighbor Kris Burmeister.  There is also a link to more information on the flow.  CLICK on any photo for bigger view! Enjoy!

LINK to Lava News

First Tropical Storm DARBY

Original Path Forecast

Makes our island look pretty small!!  (NOAA photo with thanks)

Revised Saturday 7/23  YEP -- it's that time of year again;  It is officially hurricane season and hopefully we won't have a season like last year with over a dozen BIG tropical storms dancing around the islands.  We recall one week in particularly where there were THREE super storms, all hurricane force, encircling us. You can't be sure so it is best to be on the safe side and well prepared.

SAT:  Three inches of rain last night with brunt of storm to hit today. Forecast now is that it will travel right up the island chain --- UNLESS our "storm crunchers" Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa break it up before it heads northwest -- which they have done before..

Final Revision: Meteorologists were excited to document this storm as it is only the second time (since statehood) a hurricane has directly hit the Big Island --- AND scientists could document how the sheer factor of the volcanoes DID in fact disrupt the storm, lessening the blow to the island chain.  YEAH BIG ISLAND!!!

DARBY...our first big one this year should be hitting Saturday, so Friday was the day to get the mowing done, check for loose lawn chairs, empty flower pots, tarps and such.  Phil even went out to put a few more simpson hurricane braces on the underside of the flat carport roof -- just to be on the safe side.

Our local NextDoor conduit of news and information just had a list of things to do -- just in case (thanks Heath.)

• Secure potentially "flying objects" - garbage containers, hanging plants, furniture, umbrellas.
• Stack and secure building materials like roofing, and plywood
• Fill up your vehicles, top off your gas cans.
• Run your generator if you have one.
• Have some extra cash on hand.
• Fill gallon jugs with water -- freeze them for use in the refrigerator and/or freezers.
• Check your propane tanks -- fill them so you can at least cook ont he grill.
• Make sure you have flashlights handy -- with good batteries.

Pu'u O'o at Kilauea Volcano

Penny took thiese photo just two nights ago

Flow activity in 2014 vs 2016

Revised 7/26:  UPDATE!  In the wee hours of the morning around 1:15am, lava has once again returned to the sea...

People who don't live on an active volcanic island cannot entirely comprehend the awareness we live with on a daily basis. It gives new meaning to "life on the edge" because here, the "edge" (ka'e) is always changing quite literally.  Lava flows and destroys, but from it grows new land and new life.

Here in the Puna Disrict, lava continues to flow from the Pu'u O'o vent of Kilauea and has been for 30 years!

All of us "Punatics" on the Big Island of Hawaii were grateful that two years ago the flow stopped within a few yards of our Pahoa Village! The lava has since changed directions and has returned to the previous area of flow, more directly south toward the ocean.

Penny -- up close and personal!

The flow has picked up recently and is now only about 1/2 mile from the ocean. When it hits the water, the spectacular show will only intensify as molten lava hit the cold water.

These photos were taken by our neighbor, Penny Overbeck showing how close you can get. It is traditional to make and leave ho'okupa (offerings/gifts) to Pele, being aware of both the destructive and creative forces at work. (remember you can 'click' on images for a close-up view)

Makali'i (Pleiades) Surprise

Our June adventure for Phil’s 75^th birthday offered us a lovely variety of sites, but perhaps none more surprising than unexpectedly meeting “Shorty” Bertelmann.  Shorty was actually an apprentice on the inaugural first voyage of the Hokule'a in 1976 as a young man. His passionate involvement over many decades includes many years of training and teaching. He was the celestial navigator for the 1995 voyage to Tahiti and Marquesas.  

"Shorty" President of Na Kalai Wa'a

The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and the journey of the “Hokule’a” has certainly made international news during their 3-year world tour using ancient navigational practices that were nearly lost over the last centuries.

Hokule'a world-wide tour 

This cross-cultural renaissance, begun in the 1970’s, has a quieter but equally valuable story here on the Big Island. Two paniolo (cowboy) brothers up in the expansively beautiful cattle country of Waimea wanted to be sure that the cultural heritage of celestial navigation continued to be taught.  “Na Kalai Wa’a” (The Canoe Carvers) was formed in 1993 as a non-profit educational organization by Clay and “Shorty” Bertelmann.

Although we had read this month’s issue of the Big Island’s “Ke Ola” magazine that featured a story about Makali'i -- we could not have anticipated our good fortune to actually meet “Shorty” and volunteers as they were working to retrofit the “Makali’i” (Pleiades) originally built in 1994. Phil and Shorty had a good talk-story and Phil's gifted him one of his hand carved fish.

"He wa'a he moku; He moku he wa'a"

(A canoe is an island; an island is a canoe -- or, on the sea the canoe operates as a whole community, sustaining its people as an island sustains a community.)

Read more about the Makali'i


(Photos shared are from variety of sources:  PVS, KeOla and Big Island Talk-Story)