Week 15-ish: Hilinaʻi (to believe, trust)

Week 15 was a short week. For those of you who do not know, my living accommodations changed and my stay on this beautiful archipelago has been cut short. I am forever grateful for being able experience Hawai‘i these past three months. 

Hawai‘i's final reminder for me is hilinaʻi — to believe, to trust. I trust that the Universe knows the perfect time for me to come home. Daryl asked if I was disappointed... I am not disappointed at all. I was gifted a three month stay in paradise. What's to be disappointed about? I trust in the Universe. I trust my ancestors. I trust that this time has given me what I was meant to receive. And I know that I am going home at exactly the right time.

My final three days on O‘ahu were beautifully full.

Sunset on Waikīkī

Sunday we got to celebrate my niece, Gladys', birthday!
We shared a delicious dinner and stunning sunset on her last night on O‘ahu.

Monday was our last snorkel and it was phenomenal!
Daryl and I exploring Turtle Canyon,
floating on the Kāloha (a Pink Sails Waikīkī catamaran), snorkeling in Pacific Ocean.

The view of Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) from the Kāloha

The view of Waikīkī from the Kāloha

Tuesday, we hung out at Ala Moana Center, the largest outdoor mall in the world.
Enjoying a hula 

I find myself emotional when thinking about leaving this beautiful island paradise. I will miss the land, the wind, the rain, the sunsets over the ocean, and Ben's beautiful home in Mānoa.

But, I will take Hawaiʻi home with me as a way of living: beginning with aloha, living my kuleana with pono, practicing ha‘aha‘a while relying on laulima, and always remembering to make room for luana. I will mālama the desert that is my home, ho‘olohe to my ancestors and the land, and remember to hilina‘i the life unfolding in front of me, releasing the need to know where it leads.

I am forever grateful for the many experiences I had the opportunity to try. Here are a few of my favorites that I forgot to share...


Thank you to each and every one of you who joined me on this precious journey. I am grateful to every view, message, comment, prayer, and well-wishes. 

My sabbatical will continue through the remainder of the fall semester, and my Ethnomathematics Certification will continue through the fall and spring, with a culmination weekend in May 2027. I'll be sure to update my blog then, for my concluding Hawai‘i Adventure!

Last visit to Waikīkī

A hui hou

"Until we meet again"
P.S. Look how cool the Universe is... I made it to Tucson on Tuesday morning, I'm at the airport, and who do I see? One of my Seneca Shire friends, Chris!
Life is Good! 
P.P.S. I got to surprise my grandson, too! I am so grateful for family time tonight and holding my sweet grandson again.



Comments

  1. Erika PeeryOctober 1, 2026 at 1:45 PM

    Oh Ana! What a beautiful entry. I love all of the new things you have tried and learned!! Surfing and Hula!!! YAY for the sacred Honu while you were snorkeling! Maybe it/they were your ancestral guardians saying, "A Hui Hou!" (until we meet again!) and letting you know that you are Hawaii Ohana. A final sunset on the water to say goodbye.... that made my heart hurt a little- I miss sunsets on the beach deep in my soul. You had such a connection with Hawaii, and I know she will be with you always. When she chooses people, she doesn't let go, even when they leave the island. Your Seneca family is so blessed to have you home! Aloha i' ku'u 'ohana.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnaOctober 2, 2026 at 7:14 PM

    Thank you so much for always coming along with me on this incredible adventure. Today, I woke up at home and it took me a minute to realize I was actually home. I actually panicked a little -- Like I was supposed to be in Hawai‘i still. I think I will forever hold Hawai‘i in my soul. I know I will go back in May -- and maybe someday I will go to stay. We'll see what the Universe has in store for me!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Flower gyrlOctober 3, 2026 at 8:11 AM

    Oh what a beautiful finale or farewell to your amazing time in Hawaii. I am in awe at how much you embraced, learned and enjoyed about your experience. How special to spend time with Gladys on her birthday. Your surfing form is amazing! I can only imagine how sweet your reunion with Kayden was, and those smiles say it all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnaOctober 13, 2026 at 10:46 PM

      Love you, Sweet Sister! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment every week. It was a joy to bring you along with me!

      Delete

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