tree hug circa 1972

In the late 70s, we moved to a small acreage on the Big Island. The large Ohia trees that had once been abundant in this area were struggling to survive. Years of cattle ranching had taken a toll. Determined to turn back time we planted Koa to replace the former pasture with a forest. A few years later we moved to another acreage nearby. Local historians tell me that once long ago before homesteading – the land was native forest. As families moved in, the forest was cleared to cultivate coffee, and later cleared again for pasture for cattle. When we arrived we found 25 years of neglect and the land that was once a native forest was now abandoned and overtaken by scrub guava and guinea grass. This would prove to be a much bigger task and we had much to learn. What would have been the forest canopy…and what trees, shrubs and vines would have been the understory? Every question led me to an answer, a resource, another person sharing the passion.

Kia'i and Granny

We know we are blessed to be here and share this time together. On a recent “forest work day” an ‘io (native Hawaiian Hawk) circled above us. This endangered bird is known as the “guardian of the forest”. We all felt the presence – the blessing for a job well done.

We are stewards  -  respecting the past and all that has been given, nurturing it for the future yet to come.

Luke, Kia'i, and the pumpkin.

Many years ago, Glenn Yarborough wrote and recorded a song titled “Take it One More Round”. A line in the chorus has remained with me “…every time a baby’s born, God tells mankind, ‘Take it one more round”. Making the decision to raise up a child is an Act of Hope for the Future.

Planting seeds in the Spring is an act of HOPE for the Harvest. Planting with children takes Hope to the next level.  A few weeks ago…we had PERFECT planting weather – a cool misty evening and the moon was full. Kia’i and her friend, Luke set out to plant a GIANT Pumpkin seedling. First they collected  compost from the pig pen…Luke squealed when he saw all the worms…” I LOVE Compost”; then  they took turns digging the hole and mixing the soil with their compost; in went the  the GIANT Pumpkin seedling. They carefully patted the soil and mulched the plant with straw. With anticipation they wondered as they worked…”when will it be ready?…how huge will it get?”

Sophia and Kawika

Just like with the tiny baby, the little seedling will unfold slowly into the promise that is within. We patiently wait with HOPE for the Future and for the Harvest. Luke and Kia’i's pumpkin will mature in the Fall and a new baby is preparing to  join our family in the Fall. Kawika and Sophia will welcome their first child in November.
All of this – a Celebration of Hope.

Anthony, Sadie, and Hayley

We will miss you, Anthony and Hayley. Thank you, Hayley,  for sharing your thoughts and your feelings about your time with our family at KEOLAMAULOA. Hayley sent this  a few days after they moved to North Kohala. We wish them happiness and fullfillment in their new opportunities.

The warmth of the sun floated over my closed eyelids as I belted my heart out to the bountiful and stunning backyard at Keolamauloa…“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch…like me…” I opened my eyes to see the sunlight dance across the flourishing, flower garden Anthony created, and then turned to face the glistening ripples in the pond.  I continued to sing with all my power, so that even the toads at the bottom of the pond could hear, “I was once lost, but now am found…”
I have a personal tradition of singing ‘Amazing Grace’ whenever I leave a place that has changed me. It began the summer I started work at Camp Manito-wish. I was 19 and embarking on my first self-manifested adventure.  I packed up my car, walked out to the dock and sang ‘Amazing Grace’ to Lake Julia like a personal concert for a queen. The summer following that epic, goodbye ballad was perhaps the best summer of my life. Ever since, I have superstitiously attached singing to places that have changed me as good luck for the next adventure. Since that day, I have sung to a crowd of chickens on a dirt road in Costa Rica, to the majestic valleys of the Andes Mountains, to city streets in Madison, WI, to secluded lakes in Ontario, to glacial peaks in Alaska, to Sun Circle farm, to backyards in Bloomington, and countless times, I have returned to serenade Lake Julia.  It is always the same song, ‘Amazing Grace.’ and, if possible, it is the very last thing I do before I leave. Car packed, water bottle filled, doors locked…I walk out, sing, and leave with the song resonating through me.

As I sing, I savor the place and time to which I am singing. I think about the ways it has changed me and all the ways in which I love it. I consider the contours it has carved…

“tis Grace hath brought me here thus far, and Grace will lead me home…”  I fingered the brass key to our apartment in my pocket as I sang this line and my eyes welled with tears a bit remembering what Kaye said to me, “This has been your home, you know that, right?” Yes. I feel that.  Anthony and I are remarkably lucky to have spent 10 months living at Keolamauloa. It has been our home here on the island and our family. The generosity and kindness Kaye, Sally, Keith, Kia’i, Jake, Kavika, and Sofia showed us has grounded us to this place, the Big Island, and filled us with a generosity of spirit that overflows. Not only has this place, time and community afforded us new knowledge and experience about everything from cooking taro to catching chickens, and harvesting bananas, it has given us a sense of home in the midst of a huge transition to a new place. I can’t imagine moving here and renting an isolated house or apartment, we would have so alone and we would have missed so much.  Watching Jake pound poi, learning about the art scene on the island from Keith and Sally, talking to Kaye about the cultural differences between Hawai’i and the mainland, attending a wedding of two flowers hosted by Kia’i…the list goes on. To say we are grateful is not enough.  We will take and remember this warm feeling of welcome and of home wherever we go.

I modify the last verse only slightly when I sing, “When we’ve been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing earth’s praise, than when we’ve first begun…”  Wherever Grace leads us next, I know we will continue to sing the praises of Hamakua, of Keolamauloa and of Kaye, Sally, Keith, Kia’i, Jake, Kawika and Sofia who welcomed us home.

Aloha~ Hayley

I spent a  great weekend in March with my son Jake and friends out planting native trees at Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge  on the windward slope of Mauna Kea. Here – on 32,000 acres – a Native Forest is being restored and building habitat for rare and endanged native birds. In the past 20 years volunteers have planted 400,000 koa, ohia and other native plants. Native Plants of Hawai’i are species that arrived here before human contact – by wing (birds), by water or by wind. Of these plants 95% are found endemic, meaning they are found ONLY in Hawai’i. Our island home is a treasure and we have a responsibility to preserve and protect it. Members of our family have visited there to volunteer several times, and it’s a great weekend of service. To learn more about volunteering, visit Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.

We have enjoyed a wonderful week of family and fresh food as we celebrated Sally’s birthday and John’s visit from LA. Jake and Kawika’s smoked meat, conquest from the forest, was a big hit; John’s potato salad with roasted radish and baked beets, orange slices and feta cheese brought the urban flair!… Hayley’s homemade salsa …yumm…all plus more, …so GOOD. While the food was wonderful…Sally’s day was “especially” special because she had all of her brothers home to celebrate with her. Good food contributes to good health but family and friends are what nourish our souls. Together – we Live Well. For all of this we are grateful.