Ephemeral Life...

An acknowledgment of love and respect. Nothing more. Nothing less...

There were many children at the burial site protest. Even mothers breast feeding newborns. I hadn't experienced anything like that before. At a heavy spiritual gathering. People so committed in what they believe is Pono. I know you need to teach the next generation. But letting the children interact directly with the dead was even beyond my expectations...

The boys were running around the hallway and then stopped to let me take their picture. They gave me serious attitude...

These ancestral Native Hawaiian burials did not have traditional Western style markers. They rested together in the shifting sands of a beach. They are now marked by an archaeologist's wooden stakes. And by torches from the Hawaiians. And on this day. To be marked by construction workers to lay out the foundation of a vacation home...

Ka'iulani has been living in a tent on the beach next to the vacant parcel slated for development. She is claiming genealogical ties to the ancestors buried there. The iwi kupuna. And has set up vigilant station to protect them from destruction. She is also claiming descendancy from the previous Hawaiian title holders to the adjacent lands. When she heard the construction crews were coming in. She put out the call, the kahea, for people to come help her protect the burials...

Tuesday. June 24, 2008. My co-worker and I arrive on Kaua'i from Honolulu and drive out to Ha'ena. Right out of the airport. We spot a Sheriff's van and a police car headed up towards the North Shore. We stop by Safeway to pick up something. When we get back on the main road. Another police car and an unmarked cruiser are with us. Headed up to Ha'ena we surmise. We don't know what the status of the protest is. We know the protest is going on this morning.  When we arrive. Law enforcement has sequestered throughout the neighborhood on side streets. Only a few marked cars are on the street where the construction site is. A neighbor reports that the S.W.A.T. Team is at a nearby cafe. The lot to be constructed on has 30 ancestral native Hawaiian burial sites identified to date. I believe the true number is closer to 100. The construction crews are scheduled to come in today to start construction of a large single family dwelling on the bones of our kupuna...

I take care of your physical and emotional needs. You take care of my emotional and spiritual needs...

Mahalo beautiful Dad for the beautiful photo of a beautiful Chihuahua and the beautiful reminder that Ke Akua gives everyone of us unique challenges and shortcomings in life. All of us. Sometimes physical. Sometimes emotional. Sometimes intellectual. Sometimes spiritual. Sometimes a combination of two or more. Some more obvious to the outside observer. Some more obvious to the inside observer. Ourself. And it is how we choose to deal with these limitations and rise above them by focusing on our strengths which makes us whole. And how we hold our heads up high in appreciation for the miraculous blessings in life, including life itself. Which will determine whether we find true contented happiness. Or end up eternally searching for something to make us whole. Something which unfortunately just isn't there. And never will be...

Usually a wet dog can smell pretty rank and malodorous. But a dog which just came out of the beautiful ocean can smell heavenly. Works for people too. That is why Hawaiians utilize a kapu kai, or ceremonial sea bath. Not only does it get rid of dirt. It gets rid of spiritual dirt too...

This wild Kaua'i chicken refused to look at the camera for a portrait no matter how many times I said "here chicky chicky." Then I quietly mentioned the words "deep fried." And boy, did she give me a look. I didn't have the heart to tell her she had grass stuck between her teeth. I mean beak...

You were in my dreams last night. Such a rare occurrence despite my efforts to invite you in on so many restless nights. You slept far from me and awoke before I missed you. I found you walking on a path with a suitcase rolling behind you and the weight of the world on your shoulders. Leaving me forever. I headed down the hill quickly to intercept you but you disappeared into a convenience store. I followed you in and found you counting your bills and change to pay for your two sodas. I walked up and you couldn't look me in the eye. I didn't know what to say. I offered to pay for your two drinks. You said you would take care of it yourself without looking up at me. I handed the clerk my money while you clumsily sorted through your change on the counter. You looked up at me. With tears in your eyes. It broke my heart. I awoke confused at the chain of events. Random brain synapses of disjointed memories and desires. Or messages for me to ponder. I stayed awake for an hour mulling...

As my tears cascade gently down the sunshine warmed contours of my face. I do not have any wants above the sustenance of my soul. I do not have any needs above your love and forgiveness...

It was a day of eight rainbows on Kaua'i. Including one double rainbow. And one rare ephemeral triple rainbow. Then a shimmering glowing ocean rainbow which undulated like the Northern Lights. Ke Akua was definitely in the House...

My beautiful majestic Kaua'i. My kulaiwi. You have given me life. Given me such glorious beauty adding love to my life. What have I done for you? What have I done for you...

I had an incredible day today. I woke up at 3:30 to go to Kaua'i on a 5:10 flight. It was a day of 'eha. Kaumaha. Forgiveness. Love. Aloha. Anger. Drama. Confusion. Clarity. Bonding. Unity. Police. Sheriffs. SWAT. Intimidation. Threats. Returning to my ancestral home. Being amongst my greater 'ohana of mankind. Of tears. Of laughter. Of Kupuna. Of Prayer. Of Ke Akua. I just arrived home now. I will have to sleep and recover. I will share the story in the coming days and posts for the record. Elliott and Koa cried while I was away because "they missed me." I couldn't ask for anything sweeter for a father to hear upon arriving home after such an amazing and exhausting day. To top it off. After Elliott's late shower just now. He came up to me and said I am a nice father. I asked him why. He replied "because you take care of us and protect us." I hugged him and thanked him and tucked him into bed. Koa was passed out already from little boy exhaustion...

Now that I know real bikers can eat at McDonalds. I am one step closer to my dream...

At City Mill, I taught the boys how to take two mirrors and line them up to see infinity and ghosts. I think all children should learn about these essential life skills...

I opted for the little char-broiled cheeseburger. I like supporting family businesses. That's the main reason I went. Really. The main reason...

It was a gentle lingering kiss... Which softly awoke you from a life of slumbering existence... And into blossoming beauty... Little did you know... That is truly was your savoring kiss... Which gave me back my life... And eternally awoke my heart... For that... I am yours...

Sorry Dad. She is clearly not impressed with your fancy camera or smile eliciting antics...

She makes me happy too. Bringing me those two hotdogs and all...

She makes me happy with her infectious spirit. I hope she realizes what a special gift that is. To the world. And to me...

I am lucky this man didn't see me at the parade. I think I owe this guy money. Or maybe his Chinatown Boss. For my Kung Fu lessons of course. Nothing more...

I am always enamored by a woman who can bring home the bacon. And to bring home the fish on top of that too? Wow. I am in love. With bacon and fish of course...

St. Mary's Central High School's Marching Saints from Bismarck, North Dakota marched down Waikiki in the Pan Pacific Parade. They were great. Despite the heat...