Ephemeral Life...

The Awakening...

We had just boarded an airplane in Okinawa or Japan. My father was notorious for making me go stand by women before taking my photo even though I was shy and often embarrassed. As you can see, this stewardess is very disinterested. This would be just one of many experiences with female rejection and disinterest. Thus I remain an OG, an Original Gangster, of Social Distancing...

I think this was my last year in Law School. I don't know what I was thinking. I spent more time at the beach then in class. When we were graduating, I was awarded  the "Mr. Invisible" Certificate at our Hoss, or as it is more commonly known, Horse Elections...

This is probably the earliest photo of my Beloved Mother I have ever seen. Here she is with my Beautiful Grandmother on Kaua'i. Shortly after this, my Mother's Father, my Grandfather, would drown in Moloa'a Bay and be pulled ashore, by my Grandmother and others, only to die on the beach, while my four-year old Mother watched in horror... Treasure each person, each day, each moment in this short Ephemeral Life...

When someone sneezes in the grocery store bakery section...

Exert your Love...

Social Distancing Since 1893...

Social Distancing since 3 years old. Like an OG...

When I find my Life precarious again due to COVID-19 and underlying health issues, I take so much comfort in knowing that my Beautiful sister in Heaven, Nalani, is still an Angelic Guardian for me. I Love and miss her so very much.  We both can't wait to see, and embrace, each other again. She says, however, that she can wait for many, many more years, despite her yearnings, so be Well and take my time...

Apparently, even our laundry is distressed at having to stay inside the house all day and night...

I opened my refrigerator yesterday to take out yet more bacon to cook for the family. I immediately saw this face on the bacon package, staring off into the distance, somewhat perturbed, and giving disapproving looks and attitude. I said, "Take it easy there. I know we have been eating too much bacon lately but as you are aware, we are under an Emergency Proclamation..."

Life...

It is always alright to shed tears. To express sorrow. To express grief. To express sadness. For the loss of those transitioning into the Heavens. Loved ones. Strangers. It is a pure expression of Love. Lamenting their Journey's end here and the ease of staying connected while we share this Journey of Life. I let tears fall freely now as I am older and the machismo, bravado and insecurities of my youth wane. Tears are Healing too. Evoked by sights, sounds, memories, news, songs, and all types of triggers and observations of our shared Human Condition.  As the news flows in daily of so many doctors in Italy getting infected and dying while trying to save patients, even one doctor forgoing his own treatment to allow another person to have his bed and machines, and a chance to save their own life, is Heart Wrenching. The Ultimate Sacrifice for a stranger, out of Love. The standing ovation as his body was carried away is a Testament to the Beauty of his Soul. I grieve,...

He Lani kō Luna... He Honua kō Lalo... Heaven Above... Earth Below...

Savor each Sunrise... Breathe in each Sunset... For All Those Departed... They Wouldn't Want it... Any Other Way... Living in Humble Gratitude... Honors Death... And Sacrifice... Always...

Yesterday morning, I was taking a shower, and reciting my daily morning Prayers. When I finished, I looked out the window and my Heart started racing.  There was a massive 'Alala, or Endangered Hawaiian Crow, in the East, with beak open, and inside was a anthropomorphic figure, a human figure, laying on their side, almost in a fetal position, the most common way our Hawaiian Ancestors buried their dead. I wasn't sure if they were sleeping, sick, dying or already dead. Still in disbelief, I quickly exited the shower and ran to the bedroom, soaking wet, butt naked, dripping water all over the place, to grab my camera. By the time I returned, it was already morphing and dissipating.  This was all that was left...

Let the Life Giving Waters... Of Kāne... Wash Over You... Releasing Fear... Releasing Anxiety... Releasing Sadness... Anything that Doesn't Serve... Your Best and Highest Purpose... To Help Preserve Sacred Life... To Help Preserve Humanity's Love... To Preserve Beautiful You...

His... Powerful... Unconditional... Endless... Love....

I like to reflect upon Life's encounters and lessons, and write them down as well. They allow me to look back and remember, and renew lessons, after the details have long faded. Some encounters seem altruistic and self-serving, but I do not share for self-aggrandizement, but simply to allow others to reaffirm, reflect, learn and otherwise take what they may from it, if anything at all. I know that I learn from so many others, and remain inspired as well. All to Ke Akua always. Yesterday, The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) was busy preparing for a majority of staff to work from home and implementing the technology to allow that to happen, without adversely impacting agency efficacy, which was a monumental task.  I was so proud to see everyone working so hard to help each other and effectuate this need in a time of crisis, from leadership, to support services, all the way to frontline workers such as myself and beloved colleagues. Our overall community is being challen...

When Darkness... Descends... Keep Your Eyes... On the Light... Born... From Love...

Take Healing Comfort... In Knowing... That Your Precious Soul... Is Loved and Protected... From Time Immemorial... Into Eternity... While You Experience Life... And Learn the Profound Lessons... That Brought Us Here... All of Us... Together... Right Here...

In Unison...

Nothing to Hoard... Nowhere to Retreat... Mai Poina... Never Forget... Be a Pu'u Honua... A Person of Refuge...

All kidding aside, never cook food when you are angry or arguing. The bad energy goes right into the food...

Grace...

To call, cry out, invoke...

I entered my office the other morning and I found Precious little Hi'ileili'ili'i sunning herself in the morning light. I greet her every morning when I arrive as well as some other sentient Spirits in my office. She is mischievous, or kolohe, as we say. A kupua, or nature Spirit, she is also a Healer.  I asked her to help Heal a Beautiful Friend recently. It was Poignant and Powerful, such that we both cried in humble gratitude. Now I need to take her out in the next big rainfall and place her on the ground so she is able to release the ma'i she extracted from my friend, into the ground, where it will be absorbed. That way she cleanses herself and is ready to help Heal again. She watches over me so I keep her face pointed towards me as I sit at my desk and do my work. I Love her. She Loves me. That is what Life is all about...

Though Darkness... Descends... Fear Nothing... Stay on Your Path... Guided By... Everlasting Light... Into Eternity's... Loving Embrace...

The World is Watching... As are the Heavens...

Today... I Savored... The Retreating Sun... Absorbing Each Detail... To Last me into Eternity... Just as I Captivatingly Beheld... Each Curve of your Face... The Softness of your Lips... Flowing Rivulets of Hair... And the Blinding Radiance... Of Beautiful Precious Eternal... You...