I'm Off...

Very excited for so many reasons...

Mauna Kea...

There has been something going on here for the past few weeks.

I've tried to be informed on both sides.  I understand both sides to some

extent.  One thing I know without a doubt is that Mauna Kea is

a very special place.

I've always had a feeling about the Big Island.

It starts as soon as Mauna Kea is seen from the airplane window.

I've driven around the island and had that feeling.  Tomorrow

when I go to Hilo, I'm sure I'll have that feeling again.

I found an article that explained exactly why Mauna Kea is

so special.

THE SACREDNESS OF MAUNA KEA EXPLAINED

BY: 

CHRISTINE HITT

We pored over historical references, oral histories, testimonies and archaeological reports to help give you a better understanding of the profound reverence given to the wahi kapu (sacred place) of Mauna Kea. A shield volcano rising to 13,796 feet, it’s one of the most prominent landforms in Hawai‘i, but the sacredness of the mauna in Hawaiian culture goes far deeper than its physical features.

Mauna Kea as seen from Mauna Loa.
Photo by Windy McElroy

Genealogy

In Hawaiian traditions of creation, the earth mother Papahānaumoku and the sky father Wākea created the islands, with Hawai‘i Island being the first. “Mauna Kea is considered to be kupuna (elder), the first born, and is held in high esteem. In native traditions, Mauna Kea is identified as ‘Ka Mauna a Wākea’ (The Mountain of Wākea —traditional god and father of Hawai‘i—who’s name is also written as Kea),” described Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele in a 1999 oral history study by Kumu Pono Associates. Because Mauna Kea was the firstborn child of Papa and Wākea, the mauna is considered the piko (navel) of Hawai‘i Island.  The reference of Ka Mauna a Wākea is also seen in mele hānau (birth chants), like this one for Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) as written in the book, “The Echo of Our Song: Chants and Poems of the Hawaiians”:

O hānau ka mauna a Kea, (Born of Kea was the mountain,)
‘Ōpu‘u a‘e ka mauna a Kea. (The mountain of Kea budded forth.)
‘O Wākea ke kāne, ‘o Papa, (Wakea was the husband, Papa)
‘o Walinu‘u ka wahine, (Walinu‘u was the wife.)
Hānau Ho ‘ohoku he wahine, (Born was Ho‘ohoku, a daughter,)
Hānau Hāloa he ali‘i, (Born was Hāloa, a chief,)
Hānau ka mauna, he keiki mauna na Kea… (Born was the mountain, a mountain-son of Kea…)

Source: Wikimedia

Lake Waiau

The water of Waiau is associated with the god Kāne, and it’s been documented that its water is used in ongoing practices by native healers. Its water is collected, used for ceremonies and for healing. In 1881, Queen Emma visited Waiau and swam across its waters “on a journey of spiritual and physical well-being.” Interviews have also been conducted with residents who reported that it was a practice to take a child’s piko (or umbilical cord) to Waiau.

Burials

In the uppermost zones of Mauna Kea, one pu‘u, or cinder cone, has been confirmed to contain burials—Pu‘u Mākanaka, which literally means “hill crowded with people.” Four other pu‘u are also considered likely to contain burials. Oral histories passed down through families have also shared that there are burials on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Alexander Kanani‘alika Lancaster in the 1999 oral history report by Kumu Pono Associates mentions that he went up the mountain “for ceremonial. They go up there bless the whole mountain for all our ancestors who’s buried up there… the old folks always said, ‘Our family is up there.’”

Piko deposition also occurs in the form of a burial on Mauna Kea, and it’s become a practice for some people to scatter the cremated remains of loved ones on the mountain.

An isolated "marae" on the western edge of the 13,000-foot plateau looks down onto the Hāmā​kua coast, Waimea plains, Kohala mountains and across to Haleakalā on Maui.
Source: AIS of the Astronomy Precinct in the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Ka'ohe Ahupua'a, Hāmā​kua District, Hawai'i Island, Hawai'i.

Gods and goddesses

Within the Mauna Kea Science Reserve (roughly 11,215 acres centered around the summit), there are “263 historic properties, including 141 ancient shrines,” according to the 2010 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the TMT Telescopes. While the intended purposes of each historic property is unclear, the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) speculates that they could be related to gods and goddesses on the mountain: “It now seems likely that the simple shrines were built and used by small family groups as originally thought, but that the larger, more complex structures were built and maintained by a priesthood … First, on the assumption that each upright stands for a separate god, the larger number of uprights on these sites points to a larger pantheon of gods (major and minor gods) that probably most Hawaiians would not have known.” The AIS report also suggests that some of the historic sites mentioned could be related to “astronomical phenomena” and uses the above photo of the shrines facing out towards Haleakalā on Maui as an example idea that needs to be investigated further.

Place names on Mauna Kea, like the many pu‘u, are also named after these gods and goddesses. Westervelt, in his book “Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes,” mentions that Poli‘ahu was one of four snow goddesses. Līlīnoe was her younger sister and Waiau is also mentioned in legends as a goddess. The summit area is also called Kūkahau‘ula and is referenced as being the name for the husband of Līlīnoe.

This image shows historic properties (black triangles), traditional cultural properties (gray areas) and find spots (red circles). The find spots are defined as modern features.
Source: AIS of the Astronomy Precinct in the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Ka'ohe Ahupua'a, Hamakua District, Hawai'i Island, Hawai'i.

The summit of Kūkahau‘ula

Early accounts from the mid-19th century by William Ellis, James Jarves and James Macrae write that their Hawaiian guides would not go near Mauna Kea’s summit due to “superstitious dread of the mountain spirits or gods.” The Mauna Kea Science Reserve’s AIS supports references to the top of the mauna as being kapu (forbidden) and only accessible to the highest chiefs or priests by noting the lack of evidence of human activity at the summit in relation to lower elevations.

In the 1999 Kumu Pono Associates’ oral history study, Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele stated: “Mauna Kea was always kupuna to us … And there was no wanting to go to top. You know, just that they were there … was just satisfying to us. And so it was kind of a hallowed place that you know it is there, and you don’t need to go there. You don’t need to bother it … And it was always reassuring because it was the foundation of our island … If you want to reach mana, that [the summit] is where you go.”

I know that there's  more to this story that I don't know but

I've seen what too much development can do.

Once these places are gone, they're gone forever...

that's sad.

Carmageddon 2015...

I started getting the alerts on my phone late morning about a traffic problem.

It kept getting worse I could tell by all the things coming over my phone.

Here  they have something called "zipper lane".  The "zip mobile" puts out a barrier that

adds another lane in the direction of the most need.  It's a form on contra-flow.

Apparently, the zip mobile broke down and couldn't open.

It caused a huge traffic nightmare.  Hours and hours of people stuck on the freeway and

surface streets...STOPPED.  Not moving.

6+ hours!

Reading comments on social media and the news sites people seem to be split...

"...rail will be the answer to this problem"

"...just too many people, not enough room.  nothing will help"

A few years ago something just like this happened...an Army crane hit an overpass.  Everything

came to a halt.  We happened to be together in town and ended up driving all the 

way around the island,  got home 5 hours later.

It's a mess.  No easy solution.  State is paying billions for the rail project.  3 new

housing developments going in on the westside.

Got an alert on my phone that said "...zipper lane open to all vehicles, no restrictions"

(not just for car pools)

The news just reported that HPD is giving tickets to people in these lane because

they aren't carpooling...

lack of communication, could that be a problem?

Crazy Country Corn...

there's something new in Haleiwa...

roasted corn!

We  love corn on the cob.  

This is the best...

sweet, perfected cooked and big!

We usually just cook our corn the regular way, by boiling it in water.

This corn is roasted

a whole new flavor.  I loved it.

Hubby and I have been known to just eat corn and fruit for dinner.

I can hardly wait for the next time to have this corn, it was that good!

Now I Get It...

I've been in Foodland and even Malama and seen

tourist standing in front of the shelves with looks of wonder

in their eyes.

I got that same feeling today when I went to Albertson's.

So many choices...

it's almost overwhelming.

I get it now.

Even at our little Foodland or even smaller Malama

more than a few choices in cereal can actually be overwhelming.

Have Courage and Be Kind...

 I took Emme to see "Cinderella" today.

Her brother didn't want to go "...its for girls!).

This little 4 year old sat through the whole thing.  You could hear

the other little girls talking about different parts of it during the movie.

Hubby and I had gone to see it the other day.  We'd seen so many previews

that he actually wanted to see it!  Must say he really enjoyed it.

I think that I appreciated it even more this time.  I had read about the dress, so

I paid even more attention to it (all those bitsy lights that make it sparkle).  Amazing!

Me said her favorite part was the pumpkin turning into a coach and

all the animals.

I can actually say that the ball dance scene is probably my 

favorite.  I know that the actors worked really hard on that because of the dress.

(so I wonder if Disney will rework all of their Cinderella products to go along with this updated version?) 

I was thinking about the overall theme to the movie.  It's really not "every girl gets a prince".

it's...

even as Cinderella and the Prince are leaving her house, she shows kindness

to her step-mother by forgiving her.

Isn't this what we want for all of girls?

Girls can do anything as long as they have the courage to try.

Kindness is so unselfish.

This are the traits that I want for my granddaughters (even their mothers).

** Emme told me that I couldn't be a Fairy Grandmother, even if I knew all the words,

because I didn't have a magic wand!  well that makes sense.  Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

I've got my corned beef in the crockpot

and making some mint brownies.

A day when everyone is a lil' bit Irish...

Play Ball...

Grey was team captain this week

(all the boys recite the "Little League Pledge" )

before the game warm up

determined for sure

eyes on the ball

1st base...where he made the final 3 outs of the game and he 

says he likes playing there the best.

we had the perfect spot to sit...on the grass under 

the shade of trees.  It was 91 and I felt sorry for those little guys out there...

playing their hearts out...

for the love of the game

Trustworthy...

yesterday Grey received an award at school for

"Trustworthiness"

The principal talked about the traits of being trustworthy...

always being a good friend,

always doing your best,

and always telling the truth.

These are all Grey.

Greyson and his really good buddies

So proud of you Grey

and so very glad I got to be here for this special award.

Grandparents Day 2015...

one of the reasons I'm in San Clemente is for "Grandparent's Day"

at Our Saviors.

This is the 7th time I've attended one of these.

As I was sitting there I was thinking that next year will be Jack's last year there

and it will be the last Grandparent's Day.

A little sad.

The 4th graders put on a violin performance.

(Jack said that he was "air playing"

during the classroom visits, Jack

showed me everything that he'd been working on.

4th grade is the year of THE mission report...

I always enjoy the interview.

as Jack's special lunch, he wanted to go to Ruby's for

hamburgers.

It's nice to get to spend just one-on-one time with him and just talk.

Love you Jackster!

Forward ?...

I'm in SC for Daylight Savings Time.

So now I really don't have any idea what time it is.

Had to ask hubby this morning what time it was at home 2 or 3 hours, (3 hrs now)

difference.  I had no idea.  It was hard this year since I'd just gotten here.

I thought I was tired last night but nothing like this morning...

I was explaining to the grands the reason for it.  As I remembered, it had something to do

with energy saving many, many years ago.

I'm not sure I see the reason for it anymore.  it's just confusing and I wonder if it really does help 

save electricity.  It is nice to have it not get dark as early.

It'll take awhile to get used to it again...

just in time to go home.

Done...

the Animal Research Project is done!

Starts in January with the kids choosing their animal.  Then doing research and

taking notes/answering questions about their animal.

Those notes are then written into different sections.

Once those notes have been edited, the students then start

typing and editing.

then they illustrate

in between all of that, there are some students that start making a paper mache

model of their animal.  We had a parent volunteer come in and help with that

and Miss Debbie did the messy part outside

the models have been painted and the final touches have been done.

signatures collected, pages checked and rechecked, 

done, done, done!!!

this whole project is done at school.

During this whole process we do Language Arts that has to do with animals.

Close Reading passages about animals.

it's a long process for sure!

the packets are shipped off and in about a month, we receive bound book.  If

everyone in the class signs the permission form, the kids get their book for free!

It's a long 6 weeks, but so worth it in the end.

Hina Matsuri...

Happy Girl's Day!

this is a special day to celebrate girls.

The stores have special displays of cookies decorated in pink, pink mocha

and some version of the 'hina" or special dolls.

One of the hotels in Waikiki had a huge display, all 7 tiers, of the beautiful

dolls.  It was beautiful.  The store Shirokiya in Ala Moana has a big display of 

"Girls Day" treats and dolls.

Daie and Marukai both have dolls for sale.  

I love that this custom is carried over here.  We may do a little something special

in class today just for the girls...

Teddy's Comes to Haleiwa...

Teddy's Bigger Burgers finally opened in Haleiwa a week ago.

We really like this place when we've gone to their other locations.

The one in Wahiawa is sort of small, so we don't go often.

The new one has plenty of seating both inside and out which was really nice.

They've decorated it with Hawaiiana and have rattan furniture.  All of it seems

to go with the new "old" look of the new shops in Haleiwa.

We're excited that there's someplace else to get a burger here.  We gave up

going to Kua Aina years ago, just not good anymore it seems.  The drive

to Laie for 7 brothers is hard during the week.  So this was a welcomed

addition so close to home.

Recycle Beauty...

last year the "Kokua Foundation" had a bottle cap recycling project.

the school that had the most plastic bottle caps won a concert by Jack Johnson.

Waialua didn't win last year, but we were determined to win this year.

So all during the summer and into the beginning the caps were being

collected.

Before the holidays we found out that Kokua Foundation wasn't going to 

be holding the the bottle cap contest. (I still think it's weird that they aren't

doing it, you'd think that someone or some company could foot the

bill to have these caps shipped to the mainland ,where they are then re-cycled).

Anyway, what to do with all these caps?

A very talented teacher and her enrichment academy have taken the

saying "lemonade out of lemons" to a beautiful end...

this beautiful mural on the side of one of the portables is made

entirely out of those bottle caps!

great job Green Thumb Academy!

Throwback Thursday...

March 1967

Doheny State Beach (before the harbor was completed)

first date with my very best friend and life partner...

my  Terry

even today he has the very same classy style he did so long ago.

he still had that same board, a Wardy, until we moved here.

Geoff had used it in vintage board contest.

I remember it was a little overcast.  We met two of his friends there and one of them

took this photo (finally developing it months later...Nov 1967)

Terry had a red, 1956 Porsche coup with surf racks (wish we still had THAT).

Years and years later, I would find those same blue/black Op trunks in the bus!

This first date was 

not long after asking me that faithful question while doing a surf check at

Newport Pier, "has it been like this all day?"

3 months later we were married.

Only In Hawaii...

Can you go to Burger King in Waianae

and listen to great Hawaiian music 

at a local kanikapila...

Animal Research Project...

almost on the home stretch so to speak of the Animal Research Project 

in A-9.

It's so much work for everyone involved.

Deciding what animal they want to research.

Taking notes.

Writing and editing the paper.

Typing the paper (yes kids do it)

so much work...

illustrating the pages

Part of the project is to make a papermache animal form of their animal.

this in itself is a project!

thank goodness for parent volunteers!

Miss Debbie has been helping with the papermache everyday.  

Next we're painting.

This afternoon we printed out the pages with the illustrations.

The packets have a deadline to be sent off to the publisher for binding, so

we may have a few days leeway if the weather will stay warm enough to dry the forms.

Lets hope these "Student Treasures" will be something everyone treasures

forever!

Coming Home...

Saturday was a beautiful day.

Coming home from hula, I came down snake road.

the view was so pretty, especially after all the VOG, and rain that we'd had the week before.

coming down snake road is different than coming down Kam Hiway.

Kam Hiway gives a view of more of the North Shore.

Snake Road just has a view of Waialua and home...

even after all of these years and seeing the view, it

never, ever gets old.