Drive in the Clouds

We have mentioned in previous posts that you plan your day around the weather. Often, we choose to use rainy days for errands, which may seem backwards.  Our thinking is that we would not be outside in the rain if we were home, so why not run errands.

Such was the case yesterday, when we found a lovely queen sized mattress for our ohana -- all the way up to Waimea, but the price was right, and it was a perfect day for a ride (round trip would be four hours.)

Anyway, as we left, both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa were blanketed with rain clouds, and even though we could not see either of the 13,000+ peaks, we thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic light show on the lower elevations.  Fortunately, we always travel with rope and plastic in case of sudden showers.

We chose to ride of the "saddle" between these two spectacular volcanic peaks, and on the way home, the clouds were at the ground level and visibility was limited, dropping our driving speed from 65 down to 35 for safety.


We wanted you all to know that not every day on the Big Island offers blue skies!  The weather is changing every hour.   Below is a map that shows the FIVE volcanoes on our island.  Mauna Loa erupted in the 1980's for a while, but lava has been flowing constantly from Kilauea's Pu'u O'o crater since 1983!

And, we can't forget our newest volcano, Loili, who is currently underwater of the south coast.

Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)

One of Hawaii’s most popular exotic fruits is the lilikoi, or passion fruit. Lilikoi fruits are extremely tart yet incredibly sweet, and so while only the bold tongue will eat them raw, when added to your favorite drink, jam or dessert, lilikoi make everything better.  We have two varieties that we planted early in the year.   They can easily grow out of control, so we built a fence for them attached to a dead ohia tree.

With only a few available, we simply cut them in half, scoop out a couple tablespoons of the innards along with the seeds.   After straining out the seeds, we simply freeze the potent nectar and add it to juice.  When we have a bigger crop, we can experiment with making lilikoi jam, or lilikoi butter (which is a little like lemon curd – tart and sweet).

Final Projects

The ohana is done, including the guava railing around the balcony.  The final project is installing a wood deck out front of Phil's wood shop, and creating an outdoor shower (with bamboo enclosure) underneath the balcony.

The deck will be about six feet wide at the narrow ends and bump out to about 10 feet at the wider spot -- in front of the double french doors leading into Phil's shop.

Access to the ohana is separate from our house -- its own door and stairwell are just to the right of the wood shop doors, and the deck will extended past that door and provide a good place for the BBQ and a few chairs.  Lunel is planning a garden area, of course, but some of that will have to wait until her knee is recovering.  In the meantime, she has lots of cuttings she has started in gallon pots -- gardenias, hibiscus, coleus, palms, etc.

It is hard for us to imagine that we were HERE last year in October.  The weather has shifted to what we call "fall" with more big clouds hanging out longer, and rainfall increasing a bit -- right now we can depend on about 2 inches/weekly (90% at night) -- just the perfect amount to keep everything green and our catchment tank full of tasty, free rainwater for all our needs. 

TOAD 'M POLE

On a previous post, we were chuckling about the cane toad who was serenading in the pond.


However, since that time we now have a entire Tabernacle Toad Choir and have decided to fight back!


If you can, enlarge the photo so you can see the details:  Phil's cane toad staff, toad hat, and carved toad-m-pole in the background. Below is delightful  and TOADALLY hilarious cane toad song!!

“Cane Toad Muster”

Dana Lyons of  the

Musicians called “Cows With Guns”  (click on to watch)

http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2013/05/10/3756553.htm

YES, they DO grow 'm big here on the Big Island
 

Daily Delights

While I am waiting out the red-tape process of getting set up for MRI and seeing an orthopedist about my right knee, I'm admittedly limited to hobbling about, but still finding joy in everyday things, like geckos sunning themselves in the kitchen window.  On a good day I am using a cane, and on not-so-good days, I use a pair of crutches Phil found cheap at our local Pahoa Transfer Station (the FREE dump.)

We LOVE going to our dump!!  Not only is our dump free, it processes recycling of all kinds,and it also offers a delightful outdoor store for re-purposed stuff.  People who are getting rid of things, can drop them off at the little shop where you can buy some good things really cheap -- like used crutches!

The motto at the dump is "sust aina bility" which is play on the Hawaiian word "aina."  Literal translations from the Hawaiian dictionary (Pukui-Elbert) include "refuse" (like throw away), eat or consume.  However, it also seems to have a richer and more complex meaning, having to do with stewardship, responsibility -- and a relationship between the people and the land, as in AINA -  the life of the land.  (Photos from Big Island Chronicle)

 

Blooming Orchids

Back in August I wrote a post about "surprise orchids" and about buying some unidentified orchids at Maku'u Market -- 10 for $10.00.  And, I mentioned the orchid grower's "secret of orchids" -- PATIENCE.  So, when the flower spikes started coming on some weeks ago, I promised photos of them.

Are these the most amazing orchids you will ever see? Surely not, but they are some of our first,  and that makes them special.  They look like tiny little hula dancers -- wearing traditional Kapa cloth, and they are only about as big as my thumb.

There are other things growing as well.  We have two hills of bromeliads, and many of the bromides have "pups" coming up along the main plant.  Several of our hibiscus, though small, have blooms, and the citrus trees have large sections of beautiful bright green leaves.

Here's a close-up of the orchid "faces" and a photo of hula dancers wearing traditional Polynesian Kapa cloth. 

"Down Time"

Well, OK, I am addressing the fact that my right knee is not getting better by seeing the local doctor who is outlining the "next steps" like xray, PT, MRI and, reluctantly an orthopedist for possible surgery.

In the meantime the question is what to DO since I now faced with some "down time."  Well, first thing is to call in friends -- especially those faced with a similar situation.  And, the first person that instantly comes to mind is my friend Jerebob from Humboldt County.  Together we have formed the NIDINI Support Group, with offices in Ferndale (where he lives) and Pahoa -- where we live.  "Nidini" is a adopted Hawaiian spelling of Needy Knee, and is correctly pronounced Nee-Dee-Nee!

Anyway, my latest pastime is reading about Polynesian navigation about which much research has been done.  I am currently reading: Hawaiki Rising, by Sam Low.  It is the story of the Hokulea, a replica of an ancient Hawiian canoe which sails using ancient star paths.  We had the privilege of recently hearing Sam talk at Imiloa Astronomy Center here in Hilo.  The topic covers a wide range of interests including astronomy, navigation, cultural significance.  Maybe I can write up something to entice you as I learn more.

"Sam The Younger"

I mentioned our "yard guy" in a recent blog, but Sam, like almost everyone on the Big Island, wears many hats.  And, despite the fact that it's 80 degrees, yes, that's a knit ski hat he's wearing!

When we first moved in, we realized that all the projects we wanted to do would be easier if we just had a younger, able-bodied person to help.  And, in getting acquainted with our neighbors Sam and Roxanne, we also met young Sam.  This is "Sam The Younger" or so we call him because he is the third Sam in his family.

Sam has hacked jungle, trimmed trees, broken up lava, hauled cinder and dirt and is a true artist at weed whacking.  When he is done with our property, it looks like a golf course!!

But Sam also graduated with a BA in philosophy and is a poet, songwriter and member of a band (Step on the People)  that just last week played at the Hilo Town Tavern.

   

Unukupukupu Performance

Unukupukupu to Perform Live in the Planetarium

If you have  a few moments we believe you will be deeply moved by this mini-performance by these amazing Big Island culture carriers who will be performing this month -- and we have tickets!!
(click on the blue link below....)
 
Unukupukupu Performance


Experience the dynamic hula performance of Unukupukupu under the stars at our evening series, 'Imiloa After Dark, on Friday, October 11th at 7 pm. This intimate performance reflects the heartbeat of Hawai'i through the sacred expressions of hula, rekindling the knowledge that we are all 'Ohana.

Unukupukupu, which means "Shrine of Ferns (Rooted in Fresh Lava)," is an earth-centric hula group from Hawai'i Community College (HawCC) that aims to bring an awareness of the role and the spirit of hula as a sacred dance into a modern global context. Unukupukupu provides a foundation for the promotion of environmental kinship in and beyond Hawai'i, doing so within the context of modern lifestyles.


"Our traditional myths together with our scientific DNA postures one simple truth: we are all connected, and Unukupukupu is about fueling these connections to ensure that the human spirit continues to pulse and function in the face of modernity," states Dr. Taupouri Tangaro, director of Unukupukupu.

http://www.imiloahawaii.org/    This is a link to Hilo's Imiloa Astronomy Center