Ephemeral Life...

The lowly slowly snail creeps over her morning dewed moistened Kingdom. Delicately probing a safe path with gentle calculated touches. I never thought I would ever look at a snail. And see woman...

I don't want to encourage illegal activity, like criminal property damage, so I will keep my comments on this beautiful graffiti to myself. Oops...

The waters from Kunawai Spring flow down this `auwai and to who knows where after that. I suspect to some canal which then leads to the ocean. About 8 years ago, a friend first showed me the spring and canal. There were `o`opu in the `auwai and in the main pond. I haven't seen any `o`opu in the last 5 years. So another native fish is driven out of its habitat. They stop making their journey from ocean to spring and waterfall. They stop reproducing. Their world drastically changed making survival impossible. I remember the feeling I had when I first saw this spring in the middle of urban sprawl in Kalihi. It was with awe. Then I remember the further elation when the small native fish, my `o`opu brethren, were pointed out to me and my eyes searched through the glare on the water to catch a rewarding sight of the little fish. The spring is still there. The `o`opu are gone. I still find myself in awe of the healing spring when I visit. But the added excitement of seeing our native fish...

The healing waters of Kunawai Springs are famous. The waters have healing properties and as late as the 1880's, were still utilized by Hawaiians, and guarded by a kahuna wahine and a mo`o. There were a series of freshwater springs in the area making up the complex of varied healing sites. Some had clay with healing properties. One is left. The rest destroyed, built upon, filled in, or covered up. The famous hula dancer, `Iolani Luahine, performed an 'oli at the spring and the waters welled up and dramatically increased as witnessed by those present during the chant. This cemented-in pond is all that is left of sacred healing waters. I think about the many people in the world who are sickly and who come to Hawai`i with the hope to be healed. Why must man destroy everything he touches...

The Kapahulu groin. Sunday, my boys and I checked out the beach after the zoo. I know you are not supposed to jump off the wall. But it sure does provide for a different perspective of your friends...

As I gaze out into the expanding Universe. I see the multitude of planets and solar systems much like our own. I ponder the existence of life. Of a parallel Universe. Of the beginnings of time. The end of time. The origin of Ke Akua. The beginning of me. The beginning of you. Alright. I know they are just bubbles on the surface of a pool. But I still like to imagine nonetheless...

This monkey got a life sentence for nothing more than being in the wrong place at the right time. In his eyes, I could see the reflection of my boys, monkeying around outside his cage. I think I know how he feels...

I took my boys to the zoo this past Sunday. Is it just me, or do the animals at the Honolulu Zoo look like they are dead or dying? Actually, this Llama was just laying down in the petting zoo for a rest. But the kids all ran around yelling, "The Llama is dying!" It was funny and sad at the same time...

Hello? Anyone home? May I come in? May I come in to meet my long lost relatives? May I come in to tend to their graves? May I come in to offer them some love and respect? To let them know that I have not forgotten them. That I have not forgotten their hardships and will to survive so that I, their mo`opuna, may be here to thrive. May I come in? I'm having a hard time in my life now. I need them now more than ever. I need to talk with them. I need to feel them. I need to know they still love me. Is anyone in there listening to me? They are still there, aren't they? You didn't destroy them, did you? You wouldn't do that, would you? Destroy my kupuna. Their iwi. The most cherished possession in my Hawaiian culture. Silly me. I know you wouldn't hurt my kupuna. Because you know that would destroy me...

So the weathered Kingdom symbol receives yet another coat of fresh paint. Layer after layer. Until the details become filled in and covered over. Bright new fresh colors looking great, yet covering up the essence of the relief. The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness. Kinda like the State of Hawai`i. Keeps layering on the bright colored paint over the State. Looks good from a far. But when you get down into the details. They are all hidden and covered up...

Aloha no e Mo`i Lunalilo. You were the people's King. Still of high blood. Still the people's King even in death. As you rest under the yellow `ahu`ula...

I search desperately for documents with fragments of my history. Bits and pieces of names, dates, places and events to put the puzzle of who I am together. Without these documents, I don't exist? I still exist. But you government agencies don't seem to hear or see me...

I had a long talk with these two horses. Seems she was hurt because he has a whole bevy of mares vying for his attention. He says he fought off the other young stallions and deserves the victorious spoils. I informed her that I knew of a magnificent black stallion running wild in the valley mauka of them. She took off in a heartbeat and left us in a cloud of dust. He then asked for some grass, and then tried to bite me. First time a horse ever tried to bite me...

These horses on Lana`i have a very beautiful spirit. A photograph really doesn't do the intense feeling there any justice. But you have an imagination...

What a beautiful beach. Makua. Too bad people have to desecrate. There is a lot of mana in Hawaiian words. Especially names. This isn't pray for sex beach. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for health. Pray for enlightenment. Pray for moral strength. Pray for patience. Pray for acceptance. These are worthy. Pray for love. Yes. Pray for sex. I don't think so...

Crosses make me feel at peace. Even when they are a little slanted...

I remember when I couldn't wait for you to say your first words. I wanted desperately to understand what you wanted and needed. To communicate with you. To not have to interpret your crying and baby babbling to figure out your needs and wants. When you finally could talk and we could communicate, it was a treasure to know and understand your thoughts. Now you are sometimes quiet again. As you reflect deeply inside your own head. But it doesn't bother me. In fact, I love it. Like father. Like son...

If the shipping industry collapses. The stores run out of food. The simple little farmer may be the most beautiful sight you have ever seen...

My biggest fear is not death. Not cancer. Not paralysis. Not blindness. It is simply losing you...

Your simple joy brings me an incredibly complex and fulfilling happiness. It is the multiplier effect of love...

Enough said...

So human beings need the three basics to survive. Food. Water. Shelter. Your love feeds the hunger of my soul. Your kiss quenches the thirst of my heart. I find shelter in your warm loving embrace. You provide me everything I need in life. Maybe throw in a Snickers bar or two. And some guava juice. And maybe a blue tarp. But otherwise, I'm good to go with just you...

To live the simple life. I remember Fred Olepau. Beautiful Hawaiian kupuna. Worked the lo`i in Waipi`o Valley along with Uncle Charlie. At the end of the day, he sat on his front porch in the old run down red house in the middle of the valley which served as a landmark. Seeing one parched from a long hike in, he would offer you his raw fish. His beer. What little he had. He was a beautiful man. The Valley of the Kings. You too were a King, Fred. King of Aloha. May you rest in peace. Save some fish and beer for me on the other side. Love you my hoaloha...

Many of us spend our days in our little office cubicles. Our little boxes. Then many of us go home to our bigger cubicles. Our bigger boxes. Traveling between the two boxes in our little safe boxed in vehicles. Think outside the box? Yeah, right...

In Washington, D.C., you gotta fight the power. You gotta fight the Man. That's why when people tell me, "You da man!" I vehemently deny it...

I can toss a tiny pebble and rock your world...

Often we need to fully understand the virtue of patience. Especially in times when the waters are dark and we can't clearly see our goal. We know it is there however. We feel it. And the longer we wait. The more joy we experience when it finally arrives...

Shopping for a new life...

This gentle, loving and beautiful mare pressed her neck against the barbed wire to steal a kiss from me. Her neck bled a little. I will never forget her. I hope she will never forget me and that it was worth it in the end. I would go through much pain and shed some blood to steal a kiss from you...

Some people don't listen to authority. They actually openly challenge it. Some signs aren't very effective either. They are only as good as the mana behind them. Or the caliber of bullet...

I saw this sight in Koloa, Kaua`i. I wasn't sure if it was a succulent flowering cactus fruit or if someone threw a tomato and it got stuck on the prickly cactus. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. That is what makes life magical...

This Lemur had really pretty reddish eyes and a piercing stare. I think she saw right through me and my shenanigans...

Someday. I'll be able to kick back and rest. I'm not afraid of death. I can never get enough sleep...

I think this was Denver, Colorado. It was unbelievably good. Believe it. I think my favorite food is savory fish taco. I could eat it everyday...

These Maine lobsters in Baltimore, Maryland, look pretty good. I didn't enjoy them however. Before I dropped out of Boy Scouts, we had a three day camp at Mt. Ka`ala. Another scout and I caught about 75 crayfish in the stream with grandiose ideas of living off the land. I boiled them and put salt in the water. Someone else put salt on the steaming red boiled crayfish as they sat on the big platter. Someone else melted butter over the propane stove and put salt in the melted butter. After about 10 scouts sat down to eat dinner, most only ate one or less before complaining about the awful taste. In looking back, I think the crayfish may have tasted bad even before the excess salt was added. The boys opted for canned Ravioli or whatever stash they had. I felt really bad for killing so many crayfish for nothing. I ended up eating the rest so as not to waste food. About 60 super-salty bad tasting crawdads. Needless to say, I got violently ill in my tent that night. I haven't been ab...

This crab cake on the waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland, was supposed to be famous. It was pretty expensive. I'll admit, it did taste good. Hawai`i could be world famous for its Ala Wai Crabcake. Imagine the slogan: So good, it is to die for...

Blessings come daily. Sometimes in great big ways. Overwhelming. The stuff of lasting memories and reminiscing. Often with giant congratulatory tears and laughter. Sometimes blessings come in tiny little ways often overlooked in the rush of life. I've learned to appreciate the tiny little blessings because the large ones are far and few between. The small ones sustain the human spirit everyday. And in giving thanks. They keep me constantly grounded and tethered to my foundation. Without which, I would most surely lose myself. And worse yet. Lose those I truly love...

Life is so full of color. Texture. Magic. The complexities of subtlety. I discover the deepest and best parts of myself. Only through you...

Love. Affection. Compassion. Sympathy. Love and respect for Ke Akua, our natural world, and one another. Our foundation...

To seek enlightenment. Wisdom. Education. The quest for knowledge and enlightenment is essential for a healthy people...

To care for. To protect. To maintain. To attend to. Caring for one another and all aspects of our kupuna's legacy will allow our people to flourish...

`Ike. To know. To see. To feel. To understand. To comprehend. To recognize. Pono. Righteous. Appropriate. Moral. Goodness. Proper. Fair. Urges us to integrate our intellect and our intuition...

Privilege. Responsibility. Area of responsibility. Denotes the responsibilities which accompany our blessings...

To persevere. To perpetuate. To continue. Let us perpetuate the legacy of our kupuna...

Humility. Humbleness. Modesty. Let us persevere with humility in all that we do...

No. Just because the photo is a flower, doesn't mean I'm going to write another sappy love entry. I had a rockin' day. Began with lots of mana in the office today. A whole host of kanaka hadn't seen in a while. Met some new people, one older gentleman just getting started in the fight. Hungry to learn everything Hawaiian. Ready to pound pahu at the Capitol. Another woman warrior from Maui. Taking charge. Taking the lead on protection and preservation. Rallying the forces. A visit from a regular kupuna to just touch base again. Staff who chipped in and offered kokua on many levels beyond job descriptions. Just to be pono. Attended a meeting in the afternoon I thought would be not the best use of my time. It turned out to be a blessing. Connected with a kumu hula and another kumu 'olelo Hawai`i I've never met before.  An awesome kupuna also, filled with 'ike pono of the ancestor's lingering presence. Another Kahuna Pule with awesome mana'o and discussi...

I saw this flower by Waikiki Elementary School today. I took its picture because it reminded me of the Man of War jellyfish which has deadly and potent tendrils hanging down ready to ensnare some hapless prey. This tired flower, however, has potent tendrils hanging down ready to ensnare some hapless heart. Soft and inviting, fragrant woman belies the strength, conviction and power just under the surface. Fearless and courageous. Like Manono fighting to the death over the body of her just slain lover, Kekuaokalani, in the ill fated battle of Kuamo`o. The futile effort to save the old gods. Woman of War. Like Helen of Troy. What power in women. So what if giant men can crush and destroy their opponent with superior musculature and physical prowess. A woman can crush and destroy the heart of the biggest and most powerful man. With a simple gentle lingering kiss...

I fell asleep with my Ipod and headphones last night. Woke up throughout the night listening to parts of songs and then drifting off again. I had an unreal dream about a month ago when Dennis Pavao's Ka Ipo Lei Manu played in my dream. It was surreal. Like I was in Heaven. This morning, I had another similiar experience with the music playing in my dream. It was Bruddah Iz's Wonderful World. I was watching him sing in a music video, but he looked so much younger, thinner and full of energy as he danced around. There were other people watching him all around me. Tears came to my eyes and I was trying to hide them in my dream. Then it was like some kind of epiphany. A realization of how beautiful the world truly is. I saw two old Hawaiian fishermen throwing net on the reef. I was content, as if my life was fulfilled in purpose and I was in Heaven again. Then you appeared. In all your radiant beauty. As the song continued to play, I let you know how much I loved you. And how you h...

I bought about 5 pounds of pork butt. Put garlic salt, pepper, garlic powder, shoyu...browned in oven for half hour. Made sauce with ketchup, shoyu, brown sugar, ginger, more ginger, garlic cloves, sweet rice wine vinegar, crushed pineapple, etc. Baked for an hour in oven. Basted. Holy cow. Brought tears to my eyes. Made my boys look like they were in their second trimester pregnancy after they ate it all...

Hmmmm....Coming along just nicely. I hear them whispering to each other at night...