Ana's Hawai‘ian Adventures 🌺

This week has been another wonderful week of sharing with Daryl. Although I'm sharing places I've discovered, people I've met, things I've learned, and experiences I've had, we are also exploring many places I have never been to before! I've learned that Daryl loves the plants and flowers just as much as I do (maybe even more!). We ended the week with a parade, so I'll share those photos after this week's scrapbook. So many new flowers discovered at the Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens Some of the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade

This week, I got to ho‘okipa Daryl, filling this home with deep aloha and joy. Sharing some of my life from the past weeks was a delight: the morning swims, mālama the gardens ( Week 5 ), catching the bus (including getting lost and serendipitously happening upon unexpected treasures), playing with some of my O‘ahu PicklePals ( Week 4 ), learning with a walking tour of Downtown Honolulu (DoHo) ( Week 4 ), sampling yummy malasadas ( Day 4 ), and watching Patrick perform at a fantastic Thai restaurant ( Week 11 ).  We also got enjoy new adventures together: like surfing Waikīkī , snorkeling in Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, attending live theater , celebrating Daryl's 68th birthday at an iconic  restaurant , and stumbling on a DoHo Night Market with food trucks, vendors, and local performers.  Daryl arrived on Tuesday evening! Here's a photo dump of all of the fantastic memories we made this week! My Seneca Peeps sent birthday wishes for Daryl and also an alarming image ...

This week, Hawai‘i invites me to celebrate hoʻomau (to persist or continue).  Hurricane Lowell hit the westernmost islands of the state of Hawai‘i on Monday/Tuesday. For me, it meant being prepared for tropical-storm-level winds and rain. Hurricane Lala taught me that may mean loss of power, so I let the refrigerator food run towards empty to avoid food waste.  hoʻomau Image of Lowell from a news report The storm also meant my virtual class meeting was canceled as schools and other businesses closed to help keep everyone safe and at home. Assignments were still due, but we had to pivot and record our previously-scheduled live presentations.  hoʻomau My presentation Concerned I would be stuck inside due to rains and winds, I went for a walk on Monday to Waikīkī. The clouds and wind were beautiful. No rain, but more gusty winds and a gray sky the longer I walked, so I headed home before actually reaching the beach. At home, my neighbor was swimming, even in the sprinkling r...

This week, I noticed that I am pretty isolated here. I spend most of my days on my own. My friend asked if I was lonely, and I replied, "I don’t think so. Just alone a lot. But I’m good company 😅." This week, Hawai‘i is teaching me the blessing of luana : to live in comfort and ease, be content, and enjoy pleasant surroundings or company.  Alone or with others, my life is full, and I am so happy to share my Hawaiian adventures with you - thanks for reading! I started the week with a lovely visit to Waikīkī to watch the Sun set with Ben. Sunset on Waikīkī  It seems like the Universe knew it would be good for my soul to be around people because my Monday PicklePals took me out to dinner, the University of Hawai‘i (UH) hosted three events I attended (with so many people!), and got to see my neighbor (a musician) perform at a local restaurant. ♥️ The UH resource fair (postponed due to Lala ) was scheduled in conjunction with Queen Lili‘uokalani's birthday. They presented res...

This week, Hawai‘i is teaching me the value of ʻimi ʻike — seeking knowledge wherever it appears. I started fall classes this week, continuing my journey of learning through books, research, and academics. But knowledge is found in so many other places as well... In Experience.  I've been processing the snorkeling events of last Thursday, learning what I am capable of and grateful to know that my instincts align with my values and love. In the Mountains.  I went on a 5-hour climb through the Maunaʻōahi Ridge. We eventually had to abandon the goal of reaching Kuli'ou'ou Summit because of the trail being blocked by trees felled (likely by Lala ). I learned about stepping with intention, micro spikes (kindly supplied by fellow hiker, Trina), and slowing down to appreciate the breeze and the flowers. Some pics from my Thursday hike! In Relationships.  The guide for Thursday's hike, Roland, has so much knowledge of the rocks, the mountains, ecological restoration, and Hawai...

This week, Hawai‘i is teaching me the importance of laulima  - many hands working together. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lala, I was amazed at the speed at which folks started to clear the debris and turn things to rights. It reminded me of my Tía Tina, eighty-three-years-old after hurricane Maria hit her island of Puerto Rico, bandana around her hair, trash bag in hand, ready to join in the work like so many generations before her. Islanders come together and work together. This island is the same. Even before Lala hit, people were checking on their  kūpuna (elders): filling sand bags, securing windows, making sure they had enough food and water. And the morning after, while the rain was still drizzling, piles of cut tree branches and trunks lined the curbsides, and police officers took on the job of directing traffic for multiple downed traffic lights, making sure roads were safe. Some of the damage encountered on a walk the morning after the storm. My neighborhood in ...