Vicky Durand’s Adventure Blog #60

April 27, 2024
Welcome to Blog #60

Thanks for tuning in and I want to tell you it has been an AMAZING two weeks of progress here! It is actually hard to know where to start. Maybe with one of the most important…..Last Saturday the first coconuts were planted on the hill-the beginning for the first coconut gene bank on Maui. It was a very touching and beautiful ceremony thanks to the Niu Now group -Indrajit, Jessy, Chris, Kehau and Wainani. As everyone was cutting holes in the weed barrier cloth and digging the holes Wainani was chanting a beautiful chant for success and growth. Planting was also started at 4 PM, a time during an important astrological happening and the moon was in a great place for planting according to the Hawaiian Moon Calendar. A perfect timing after two years of planning and working to make a dream actualized. I might add the Kaulunani Grant also made this all possible. We are hoping this is just the beginning of the project.

After the planting everyone hiked up to the pool and waterfall and went swimming.

Before the coconut planting the group harvested and cleaned taro from my little taro garden. They made the garden bigger and after the coconuts were planted Jessy planted taro on the lo’i that probably has not seen taro for over a hundred years. Just in one week there is a leaf on each stem. SO SO EXCITING! I can tell the taro is very happy…
We will keep planting the lo’i and that along with squash will be the ground cover.

Another great happening was Kane an electrician who came to properly install electricity. He showed up with a crew of two people who got the job done professionally and . They were here for two days drilling into metal and putting it all together according to code. It was great getting rid of all the extension cords. Two of the coconut chandeliers were hung over my kitchen work bench. I am waiting for more chain and cord for the middle light. These lights are antiques as years ago Bob and I flew to Kauai to cut them out of three rooms at the Coco Palms Hotel. I had them wired and painted for the coconut institute.

A super carpenter AJ who came to finish my windows. So happy as they were just barely held in place with wood and screws and water was coming in. He had some extra time so I had him rebuild the patio off the cat green house. This will double as a tool shed and we are waiting for the metal roofing. Now that will be weatherized and it looks 100% better.

I also found a mobil vet Dr. Krista who came to visit last week as poor Justin had cancer. She is a gem and will come out to Hana every month if not sooner.