Blog #78
October 12, 2024
It has been a great week for action and moving forward. Can’t remember if I mentioned but my original builder (Chris T.) left a lot to be desired as far as communication, doing things right, and finishing a job. The big water tank was not placed low enough for the gutters to properly work in catching water. Thank goodness I am now working with some capable professionals. They are all about forty four years old and Hana High School classmates-Kane the electrician, James the builder par exultance, and Laka the excavator genius. Laka arrived on Tuesday with his excavator to dig and prepare the new pad. Unfortunately some of the small breadfruit trees had to first be cleared by Chris G and Ben. It was quite a job but they carved out a path of trees and roots for the excavator to get in.
I have been wanting a small above ground fifteen feet round therapy pool and job #2 was to prepare a level pad for the pool. After we found the most level place there was still a lot of excavator work. And then Laka hauled in two loads of sand and gavel to place on each pad. It is now ready to set up the pool.
After finishing clearing made a beautiful little rock wall.
The view down to Wailua Cove is getting better and better. I will soon put a viewing bench for the spectacular site. Those lines must be for telephone as there is no power from here on out. Wish i knew how to take them out with photo shop.
For twenty five years I have been envisioning two small level possible places to plant taro and/or also park on the entry lo’i. There have been some big bumps of washed in soil preventing this. Finally Laka used his amazing excavator skill to perfectly level out the second spot. As he dug out grass he replaced it on a lower spot in perfect shape so it appears as if it has been growing there for years. I sat on a rock with Mana at my side watching the whole operation. Now, I have room for six cars and we might even start a small stand.
And, this is thwe way the entrance looked when Bob nd I first started our work here many years ago.
Last Saturday night I went to a wonderful local event at the Ala Kukui retreat center. Maile Meyer and her daughter Emma were in town (I pictured them visiting me here last week’s blog) to have a showing of Joyce Linden’s thirty year photography that documents fishponds and Taro in Hana which the Pu’uhonua Society is raising money to have digitized. Kai and Patrick played music and the food was some of the best Hawaiian food I have ever had. Kava was served as the drink of choice.
Food is getting plentiful here with avocado, pumpkin, papaya, limes, taro, u’ala, spinach and eggplant to name a few.
There have been some gorgeous days and sunsets to enjoy.
Life continues to be an adventure here with tidbits unfolding every day. Finally this week I was able to get the last required Green Grant papers turned in so will be moving ahead soon with more clearing and planting.
Thanks for tuning in and wishing everyone well in the coming weeks ahead.
Aloha Nui,
Vicky
Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer by Vicky Durand 