Ana's Hawai‘ian Adventures 🌺

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 ...

I got to visit Lēʻahi (a.k.a. Diamond Head), and it was so beautiful, I cried a little. The view from the top of the Lēʻahi crater This week, Hawai‘i is teaching me haʻahaʻa (humility). Not like, "how to be more humble," but more like, "how to move forward in spite of uncertainty." Work:  I am needing to pivot and use a new (to me) platform to adapt my first ethnomathematics lesson for asynchronous classes. Plan A didn't work. Plan B was better but still didn't work like I want it to. So, here we go, Plan C. Completely outside my comfort zone and I'm not even sure it's going to work! 🤪 Check out the lesson here Personal:  Ironically, I am currently working with my therapist on 'avoidance' — why I avoid things, examining my thoughts and emotions, and determining whether my concerns are backed by evidence (spoiler alert: they aren't.) Cycle of Avoidance - talk about humbling... Life:  And then there's Lala , my first tropical storm (hu...

Building new relationships, strengthening friendships, having difficult conversations -- these are reminders that I cannot do anything alone. I am interconnected with others and rely on people and the land for everything from basic survival to elevated joy. I started my week checking out a hula festival at Kapiolani Park and cried a little. I couldn't help it. When I saw the beautiful movements of the hula and even small children doing hula routines, remembering how hula was banned under the influence of missionaries who thought the dance was immoral, it gave me so much hope to see it survive and thrive. Monday I decided to tackle a (relatively easy) swim test that will allow me to sign up for a snorkeling outing once the fall semester starts. I got to explore the UH campus and revel at the beauty. It's mostly empty for summer, so the birds are out in full force: singing and just chillin'.  Pics from my walk around the UH Mānoa campus On my walk back, I passed by the Hawai‘...

This was a week of hoʻolohe... deep listening. Not listening to talk. Not listening to refute. Not half-listening. Really listening... Listening to kūpuna (elders) I know... I am an elder! But there are so many folks here who look my age and are in their 80s or older! On Monday, I walked to the post office and an ‘ elemakule (elderly gentleman) asked me a question. I couldn't quite hear him over the sound of traffic, but I told him that I was visiting, so I wasn't going to be very helpful if he needed directions. He stepped in line with me and asked how I liked Hawai‘i. I told him I loved it! I raved about the beautiful trees and the breeze and the rains, and he smiled big. I asked if he was born here on O‘ahu and he nodded. His name was Mark and he told me that he is what the Japanese call Sansei (三世) — third generation. His grandparents immigrated to ...