Hawaii Artists -- Phil and Lunel Haysmer

Our new home in the small community of Volcano on the Big Island is surrounded by a beautiful ohia tree forest filled with nectar producing lehua blossoms loved by our native birds. Occasionally, while we are landscaping we come across an old root from a dead tree. Phil had found one two years ago and he has been waiting to see what it "wants to be." A few weeks ago this rather gnarly root "spoke" to him and it said -- "I AM KAMAPUA'A" -- and Phil took up the challenge to "find him" in there!  Here's the result. The stand is made from curly koa tree wood. 

Not shown here (but in many previous blogs) are many of Phil's hand carved and painted bas relief featuring many of Hawaii's flora and fauna as well as traditional navigational canoes. A large selection of these are featured prominently at the Michael Jayme Gallery Honaka'a -- a charming town north of Hilo.  (520 279 7462)

 

Haysmers and Hedgewood

 

Feburary -- Lost in the Forest

 

A January Visit with the Haysmers

 

ENDINGS and BEGINNINGS

 

THE END...of 2021

 

That Was Then -- 12/12/12

 

Kilauea Iki at Volcanoes National Park

 

....Weather Permitting....

 

What's Under There? (Three years later....)

One of the projects we enjoyed living in Leilani Estates on the Big Island was finding unique features in lava that had flowed over the land in previous decades (called Pahoehoe - pa-hoyhoy) Odd to be doing that again in our new home in Volcano. Here are a few pictures of the work-in-process.  

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

Earthquake Hawaii

EARTHQUAKE

This morning Hawaii Island experienced a 6.2 earthquake (and after shocks.)

It was not part of the Kilauea Volcano but was located near South Point about 20 miles deep.

Yes, the house shook and it was a rock-n-roller with several significant after shocks of 5.2 and 4.1.  (Further updates from HVO/USGS indicate the earthquake was triggered by tectonic plates, a relief to those on the Big Island who associate earthquake activity with lava.)  Carry on!

Be prepared; you never know when a disaster of some kind might happen. We have a "grab it first" list and recommend everyone does as well. 

While it did shake us up a bit, we just have to remind ourselves that we can choose our response and we did. After we gathered ourselves and calmed the dogs we decided a walk was in order -- so, with a pair of umbrellas, we headed up Nahelenani for a brief walk. Then, we headed back to the art studio where we're both working on new projects.

Phil just finished this deeply carved bas relief of a Hawaiian Hawk, 'Io (EE oh) and I have just begun working toward a new 42" high garden sculpture of a figure found in France -- in an area where I toured a few years ago.

Mahalo for checking in to see what we are up to! 

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

Inside Kilauea - September 29. 2021

 ooops, date of photo is not 2020, but NOW...

WOW -- Just Look at Phil's Beautiful Wall

 We are so pleased with the lovely new arrangement of Phil's art at Michael Jayme Gallery, Honaka'a!

Just Look At That Face!

 

Lunel's Cute Garden Shed -- Mural Completed!

 

Make Art Not War

 

Hawaii's Independence Day - July 31st

 

Why July 31st is celebrated as HAWAII INDEPENDENCE DAY?

In the 1800’s the Kingdom of Hawaii was recognized internationally as a sovereign monarchy that entered into trade, treaties and friendship with many other countries  including – France, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, Wales, Portugal and Hong Kong to name a few. 

The history of HAWAII INDEPENDENCE DAY:  In early 1843, Lord George Paulet, representing the British Crown, overstepped his bounds, landed sailors and marines, seized the government buildings in Honolulu and forced King Kamehameha III to cede the Hawaiian kingdom to Great Britain. When Queen Victoria, learned of these activities, she immediately sent an envoy to the islands to restore sovereignty to its rightful rulers. 

Monday, July 31, 1843, after five-months of occupation, the Hawaiian Kingdom was restored and Adm. Thomas ordered the Union Jack removed and replaced with the Hawaiian kingdom flag. It was on the occasion that Kamehameha III was reported to say, "Ua Mau Ke Ea o Ka ʻĀina I Ka Pono" - The life of the land is restored in righteousness. 

(This statement has since become the official motto of the State of Hawaiʻi.) July 31, 1843 is now referred to as Ka La Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day or Hawaii Independence Day and it is celebrated each year . Because of Britain’s support and recognition of Hawaii’s independence  Hawaii’s  flag of 1868 included the British cross.

Fifty years later, despite the world-wide recognition of Hawaii’s sovereignty, in January of 1893 the United States affected an illegal overthrow of Hawaii’s government in a coup against Queen Lili’uokalani by marines, businessmen and clergy.

While America’s independence is recognized on July 4th, the celebrations of July 31st retain a more significant date for the Hawaiian people.

(condensed from various sources)

Haysmers -- Havin' Fun at Hale Le'a