Vicky Durand’s Adventure Blog #32

September 9, 2023
Welcome to Blog #32

It has been a busy and productive week. Jit arrived last Saturday morning and while here he helped me with a lot of tree trimming and also planted a small ti hedge at the entrance to the driveway. We also had some planning sessions for our next planting in the next few months.

We were getting lunch at the Thai food truck in town and we ran into Angelina, a friend from Oahu who worked with Jit and Manu on the Molokai coconut project. This was quite synchronistic as she just moved here to be with her sister Kahea and and she loves coconut projects. The next day when we drove down the way to see them we met some Kipahulu residents who own property with coconuts and they welcomed Jit to come and get seedlings.

On Monday we had our first coconut seedling give away. The Little Yellow plane flew to Hana airport and took the first group out to kahalui. She could only take sixty two pounds so the other half were left in car of the airport manager till she could return for the other bag. She brought out a scale so she could tell exactly how much to take so as to not overload the tiny plane. And, as it was the bag was jammed into the small space behind where the pilot and co-pilot sat. After loading the coconuts we gave them a ride back to the food trucks as they were getting something to eat and then going to the beach and hitch hiking back to the airport.

This week I heard from Sally, a classmate’s sister telling me that their coconut tree at Pokai Bay was being attached by the beetle. The bay is named after the Hawaiian chief Pokai, who is said to have brought the first coconut tree to Hawaii. “Ka Uluniu o Pokai” is the famous coconut grove that once lined the backshore. Luckily she reached out after reading the past week’s blog to give me this news. We think this tree is a descendant of the famous coconut variety that was one of Queen Emma’s favorites. Supposedly the variety is know for it’s sweet water. Sally’s mother was a friend of my mother and she gave mother a tree from Pokai which is planted in our Makaha yard. A tree which is also heading for trouble with the beetle. Indrajit is going out to check Sally’s tree and see if we can rescue some nuts along with the nuts from our tree. We will bring them here to safety at our pu’uhonua.

Wednesday I made the trek into town to pick up building supplies and marketing. There were ten 10 foot black plumbing PVC that got strapped on the top of the truck rack. It is always a tad hairy doing this. This time about a half hour before Hana the straps loosened and I could see a few pipes coming forward. I had to coast very slowly into Hana town center and ask my friend who works at the I Love Hana store if she knows anyone that can help retie the shifted and falling off pipes. Luckily Chico, a large Hawaiian man, gruffly came to my rescue and I made it another twenty minutes home with the pipes intact.

The wall behind the sink went up along with some cabinets. The sink and shelves are coming soon.

Thursday morning on my often usual visit to instagram a woman named Lisa Bromfield caught my attention as she was discussing synchronicity. I think She has some very interesting topics that she brings to light during what can be trying and uncertain times we are now living in. She is a Energy Healer, a Reiki Master, a Spiritual Life Coach, and Inspirational Speaker. Check her out on Instagram Lisa_Bromfield_inspire. We connected by phone yesterday afternoon for some insightful conversation.

There was a paddle out for Lahaina yesterday at Hamoa Beach. Unfortunately I missed it, but even the clouds were in heart shapes.

This evening is the bon dance at out newly renovated Buddhist Temple. It is really a classic place and a huge community turnout. Today we are also celebrating my dog Haumana’s second birthday. Hopefully some maturity will follow now.

Time to end this and get back to some jobs awaiting. Thanks for tuning in. Wishing everyone a great week! Love hearing from those who respond.

Lots of progress is going to be made in the next two weeks which I am really looking forward to. Alexia, a new friend, sent me this picture with Lucky and I have no idea how to crop.

Aloha Nui,

Vicky