January 27, 2024
Thanks for tuning in to Vicky Durand’s Adventure Blog #48
In a another day (January 28th) I have been having this adventure for a year. What a learning experience and fun time!
This has been another interesting week and one needing a lot of patience. I think living in Hana requires a certain “able to deal with it” attitude. Something is always heading south-not working. But, then this presents a challenge and some problem solving which keeps life interesting. And, eventually someone shows up to help. Last night as I was watching the sun pass over the hill with the beautiful evening colors a thought crossed my mind that I had done all this before. HUMMMM At any rate life here continues to be magical and I am grateful to be having these experiences and adventure.
Monday brought another siege of high winds and rain. I had to re-tarp the bunk house and put towels down in my space to protect the antiques. When Bob and I came here we never experienced any rough weather like I have experienced. Bob always thought of half walls, but we were never here in Kona storms that are merciless bringing wind and rain straight in to the front openings. But, after being here I realize something more has to be done asap. For practicality and comfort unfortunately the large front door opening that faces the channel and the big island has to be walled in.
I have been trying to figure out how to do this with out me trying to haul a lot of lumber. Tying it down is the problem as most workers won’t do it for liability and I am incompetent at this. Luckily Thursday morning Bradley texted me he was going to Kahalui, and what do I need. I quickly got on the phone with Honsador and ordered the needed lumber. Bradley was able to pick it up and delivered it yesterday morning just as a new handyman arrived. Mikey is now in the process of framing and making the walls. I am turning this into a wall with the door on the other side. More pictures to follow as it looks pretty rough right now.
By tomorrow this situation will be solved just in time for Kira’s arrival next
Sunday February 4th. She is a (WWOOFER) known as Willing Workers on Organic Farms. There is so much to do and she will help with all the projects here such as setting up raised vegetable gardens, weeding, cats, etc. One of our main project is to get the hill ready for coconut planting in February. I have had great results with squash so that will be the ground cover.
Over the last months I have been doing paperwork applying for a large agricultural grant from the USDA (united States Department of Agriculture) This grant would be for clearing the invasive trees here and planting the coconuts along with five kinds of native trees. Keeping fingers crossed I get approved.
On the down side of things my builder Chris has only showed up for one day of work in 3 weeks with no communication. His helper went for a higher paying job to work for a tourism project monitoring water use and site visitation places. I called around and found he has taken another job. He said he would be here today, but it is now 10:30 and no word.
On Tuesday morning I was heading for a yoga class and my remote would not open the gate. Turned out ants got into the box. I got the blower to blow them out and sprayed ant poison, but it still wouldn’t open. I texted Chris and he said I will be there Sat. Well, I though this is really great I will be a prisoner here for five days. Later on in the day Chris the weed eater man came and got the gate open.
In the excitement of all this I accidentally left the truck key in the ignition
and did not realize it till the afternoon.
Wednesday morning when I went out early to head for my first physical therapy session the truck battery was dead. So, no PT. I reached out to four people but no one showed up till Thursday morning when John came to do a jump start. I had heard Auto Club charged $500. to come out so I didn’t bother calling them. Then finally yesterday my friend said they are right in Hana town and I could have called. Another learning experience.
Since it will be weeks before getting my kitchen sink with water in yesterday I set up a beautiful coveted red sink in the front yard. The sink had belonged to Eric, my brother in law. With the help of Mikey I set up my first sink P trap with a vacuum hose that will water the plants with the used water. I know this looks pretty sad (fed by a garden hose) to all of you with beautiful kitchens but it but it beats carrying all the dishes down to a sink further away.
Before moving here people asked what are you going to do for food. Let me tell you that there is so much food here. My refrigerator is always full with more than I evcan eat. There is a Friday Farmers market where besides the vendors selling vegetables, fruit, fish, local meat there is a Maui Hub box of choice. This box is ordered on line after Saturday noon and before midnight on Monday. Choices are vegetables, fruit, bakery items, meat and much more. The box is delivered to the Friday market for pick up. Besides this there are two small markets with everything one could possibly need. The market is a great gathering place with occasional music and art. The third picture is John Keegan and Lola. John is a great healer and masseus who helps people all over Hana. A special bonus is he studied at the Edgar Casey Foundation and loves animals.
This week I spent some time shoveling the chips into a tub. They have turned into this amazing fertile soil. I weeded and did this till dark and full moon rising several evenings-pretty spectacular. This was taken the night of the full moon.
These past weeks there have been a lot of work shops about the coconut beetle and other invasives. Indrajit was a panel member on a PBS show last week. If anyone wants the link email me at Wavewomanbook@gmail.com
The mornings have been supper cold and it has been difficult to leave a nice warm bed. I bought a thermometer to check the temp and it was just about 60 degrees. Must sound wimpy to those of you in really cold weather, BUT it seems freezing to me.
I got a great write up in our last Punahou Bulletin. They forgot some of us surfers, but oh well…..
Next Sat I will be doing a book talk here at the book club. There are a great group of women so am looking forward to that.
Time to move along here. I guess the words of the week are patience and persistence.
Here is the link to Indrajits panel last week. In the last weeks there have been several workshops on invasives.
Aloha nui,
Thanks for tuning in.
Aloha Nui
Vicky
Vicky
Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer by Vicky Durand 