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Header for PJ 103Looking from Maui
coffee plantations
across bay to Lanai
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Sailboarder at Ho'okipa Point
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Predicament
Hanging by a mere spider thread
The lone leaf
Dangles and twists in the breeze.
Where did you come from?
How did you get in this predicament?
The leaf no longer cares
As it sways back and forth
Reflecting the light of high noon.
Comments: While hiking a trail leading to a dense bamboo forest, I suddenly spot a leaf suspended in midair. Upon approaching closer, I saw a fine spider thread supporting it. The thread must have been twenty plus feet long and was attached to the branch high above. How the leaf arrived in this predicament, I do not know, but it inspired this poem. Just in case you missed it, the poem speaks to far greater meanings than just a recounting of an observable event.
____________________________
At Kahanu Garden – Hana, Maui
Palms wave in the brisk wind
....as the occasional coconut
....tumbles to the earth.
As the poet tries to write,
....the incessant wind
....flicks the journal pages.
He stares past the trees
....toward the crashing Pacific
....sensing no rhyme or meter.
He is mesmerized by his surroundings,
....this haunting
....ancient place –
....unable to write.
He is at peace.
Comments: One of the goals of this trip was to explore the lesser known activities of Maui. (I am writing a magazine article on the same topic.) This search led me to the garden described in the poem. It is also an ancient archeological site steeped in Hawaiian history. During the ninety plus minutes while there, I only saw four other people. In fact, when I was ready to leave, the gate was shut and bolted. Thankfully, upon closer examination the lock had not been closed. Otherwise, the night would have been long since the garden was a good distance from the next home.
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The hanging leaf – note the thin spider strand
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View from Kahanu Garden a few miles outside of Hana
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Pi’ilanihale Heiau located in Kahanu Garden (note
the huge wall in the background); built around
1200 A.D.; est. took 128,000 man-days to build.
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Surfing Honolua Beach area, Maui
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Hiking the ridge in Waianapanapa State Park just outside Hana
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Looking back on the trail in Waianapanapa State Park
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Vignette: The Wave I Didn't Ride
For four weeks I razzed my family and friends about the weather in Hawaii versus the terrible winter storms in Ohio. One Saturday, the tables turn when Hawaii experiences its first serious tsunami warning in decades. The broadcasters start their hints of impending danger by interrupting the Olympics, late on Friday. At 7 a.m. there is a pounding on the door to wake up and turn on the T.V. Since our condo is within a potential flood area, we are to evacuate and head to high country by 9 a.m. Though the initial indications are that the surge would not be large, we play it safe -- pack everything, load the car, and head upcountry.
We could easily drive less than a mile and be very safe. However, we choose to drive to Makawao, about 11 miles away, because there is more to do there. We arrive around 8:30 a.m., and the place is just beginning to hop. Knowing the importance of maintaining healthful energy, we stop and purchase malasades (fruit filled pastries) at Komoto’s Bakery. We joined a line of others who had the same hunger. A can of guava juice becomes the perfect chaser. We join other celebrants by wandering around and shopping. At 10:30, the urge for pizza hits. (I know a bit early, but I am in crisis.) In the process I discover a new favorite pizza place, Pizza Fresh. We carry our disappearing contraband with us to the parking lot to join the gawkers staring at the coastline below. The waves are to hit around 11:35 a.m. Luckily, the big one turns about to be a pipsqueak three-foot surge, which of course you cannot see. Basically, everything then turns into a party, typical Hawaiian attitude, "life is too short not to celebrate.”
An added adventure to this trip, especially since no one was hurt. I also own a t-shirt stating that I survived the 2010 Hawaiian Tsunami. (This humorous response should in no way be interpreted to demean the horrific earthquake that devastated Chile.)
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Looking, staring, and waiting for the waves to hit
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Lined up a Komoto's - who knows how long until the next meal!
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| Kahanu Garden (The view from which I wrote the above first poem.) |
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Garden of Eden just off of the Hana Highway (Worth the money and a side trip on the highway)
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Looking into some of Maui's valleys on the Valley Isle
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