Sunsets

*

 Each time we visit Kauai

we make a point

of going up to 

the old Sheraton Hotel

on the bluff

at Princeville

The hotel is now

called the St Regis...

Not because 

we like to swan around

in elegance and luxury...

although it is fun to pretend

Not because 

we may rub shoulders

with the rich and famous...

although that could easily happen

 Not because 

we miss the fresh sushi

made right there at the bar...

although that is very tasty

  

 Not because 

we need

a cool corona and lime

or a mai tai

or a pina colada...

although they are very enticing

No

for none of those reasons

We always like to drive

to the hotel 

at least once 

on our holiday

at the end of a Hanalei day

because it is from there

that you see

some of the best sunsets

in the world...

You can park your car

and walk around the bluff

posing with your beloved

in front of Bali Hai -

as a lasting memento

of your wonderful 

Tsunami wedding holiday

and then with drink in hand
Hawaiian melodies
as a serenade

and eyes over the ocean

you can watch

the sun send forth

its crepuscular rays

and take a final bow

behind the magical peak

of Bali Hai

and give thanks

for another happy day

*

Disappearing Peaks

*

Last night
I sat down
and enjoyed writing a response
to each of you
because I had so enjoyed
your diverse and interesting comments,
suggestions for becoming centred
and regaining a sense of equanimity


and then I pushed publish
and kazam
the entire screed disappeared

I said something like
dang
darn
drat


 well maybe something like that -
and I gave up


But I wanted you to know
that I found each of your comments
interesting
and valuable

and love that so many of us are
on the same page...




So tonight
I have pulled up a post
written in Hanalei, Kauai
that seems pertinent
to the topic of disappearances
and also to gains
to silver linings...

****

 Disappearing Peaks

and Waterfalls

 

On these days

in Hanalei

 

the mountain peaks 

can come and go

 

in fact

whole mountains

can disappear

 

later to return

adorned with waterfalls

 

 that tumble down 

the steep mountainsides

to the valley below

and race to the sea...

*

Vibrancy

*

 Vibrancy

 anthurium

while I am familiar

with many of the plants 

here in Kauai

because they grow at home,

the extra rainfall 

on this island

and the smaller diurnal range

of temperature

plus a milder winter

and a less intense sun

bougainvillea

make for colours that pop -

such vibrancy

this bare tree

is garlanded 

with plump yellow blooms

like pom poms

I don't know its name...

hibiscus

The mountains

in the centre

of this island
are where you find
Mt Waialeale
which is the rainiest
and the wettest spot
on the planet

spider lily

Mt Waialeale
receives 472 inches
of rainfall a year
that is 39 feet
or 12 metres

orchid

the trade winds
blowing off the ocean
keep this island
cool in summer
usually 23-29 C
or 74-85 F

terminalia

the rainfall
is more prevalent in winter
when the days
range from 18-26 C
or 65-78 F,
although the climate
is termed 'localised'
meaning
that it may rain one minute
and be sunny shortly after

red ginger

The great thing about the climate
on this island
is that if it does rain
you can drive for 10 minutes
 and be in the warm sunshine...

Oh Happy Hula Days

*

Missionaries and Churches

*

Missionaries and Churches

have had a great impact 

on these Hawaiian islands

regardless of whether you think 

that this is a good thing 

or a bad thing

two visible signs

of their presence remain

The Wai' oli Hui 'ia church 

in Hanalei

many many churches

The Wai 'oli Hui'ia church
was built in 1912
on the grounds of
 the mission
that was established in Hanalei
in 1834

These are for you Ellen -

glass worker extraordinaire

I love the way the green glass

represents the mountains of Kauai
and also the verdant vegetation
and taro fields of the valley -

and the blue,

the sea and sky

and secondly

the descendants of the missionaries 

have some substantial land holdings

The Wilcox Estate

Hanalei

'Kauikeolani'
is the restored home,
replete with expansive lawns and palms
and Hawaiian fishing ponds,
of Albert Wilcox and his Hawaiian wife
from whom the estate takes its name

 Albert, a sugar planter,
born in 1836
was one of the sons
of missionaries

The name Kauikeolani
means



beautiful vision that comes in early morning mist





Albert and two of his brothers
funded the Wai 'oli Hui 'ia church
featured above.

*

Hanalei Town

*

 Hanalei Town

Hanalei Town

is a funky town

 

belonging to the past

and the present

where you can't help unwind

and slip back a notch

 

 where the roosters

go for a stroll

 

down to the surf store

 

funky houses

and mossy rock walls

 

 where Kauai Green 

predominates

in both paint 

and vegetation

 

and giant puddles grow

where you can be surprised
with what you find
on the grass verge

on the walk home 

from the coffee shop

 

and be stunned

as you walk 

by the tree

next door

Oh Happy Hanalei Days

*

Indulgences

*

Once a day

I indulge...

after my morning walk

the length of the bay

through soft coral sand

to the river mouth

and fine hard sand

to the pier

 

I walk to Java Kai

the Hanalei Cafe

 

where I order my Soy Latte

as my daily indulgence...

What is your treat?

*

Sand Patterns

*

Sand Patterns

I wander along the beach

where the retreating tide

 

has left works of art

in the wet sand

from nature's hand

 

come closer

Do you see the shaggy 

red setter dog?

 

grey brown painting

transitory

and timeless etchings

 

gifts from the sea's great dance

 

and an occasional helper...

*

Terminalia

*

Terminalia

 On the sandy shore

giant red leaves spin and dance

to the trade winds' tune

 

Terminalia catappa

a large tropical tree

of the Leadwood family,

which is deciduous

and can grow to 25m

Fruits are red green, 

hard and flattened

The seeds float 

and can be carried considerable distances

on the oceans

The wood has been used 

by the Polynesians for making canoes

*