Vicky Durandʻs Adventure Blog #117

Welcome to Vicky Durandʻs Adventure Blog #117

December 14, 2025

Thanks for tuning in. I have been remiss in doing a weekly blog and think I will change it to every other week as there is so much to do around here it is hard to find the time for writing.

I am in the process of redoing my Koali Niu web site with a strategic marketer and she suggested I start a You Tube channel to document our work here and the tree growth. That will give more of a visual which might work out well.

And speaking of trees the niu planted on the hill are growing at record speed. Some of the seedings planted in April  2024 are now ten feet tall or higher. This is because the earth was covered with Hou for over fifty years and is very fertile. This is the first tree we planted on the edge of the sheer forty foot drop off to the road below. Indrajit thinks it is the revered Niu Hiwa, a tree that faces significant conservation challenges today. “The tree is historically esteemed and is a distinctive, identifiable coconut variety with unique cultural practices tied to it and the loss would have significant implications for Native Hawaiian culture today.” (Gunasakara)

Pretty exciting stuff….

It seems like a wintery day here with a cold wind coming in off the channel between here and the big island.

I guess this is nice for the holiday spirit.

Since my squash crop was so successful I have decided to continue farming squash with three varieties for my next venture. Last week Isaac and Cleo cleared the remains of the last crop, weed eated and laid weed barrier cloth for the next planting.

I am hoping to get the new plants in the ground tomorrow as they are ready to plant. Unfortunately there were not enough pins to adequately tie down the weed barrier cloth and the wind has blown sections around. My plan is to plant the squash just above the cloth and then it grows down over the cloth.

I had a quick trip to Honolulu this last week for a medical appointment. My hana daughter Sarah went with me and we had some fun. Also had a nice dinner at Michaels with some old and new friends. I arrived first and saw a gorgeous sunset.

Bedsides going to the gym and pool the Christmas decorations were out and it was very festive. We also met up with Pierre Grill the piano player.

Hana Ho Magazine on Hawaiian Airlines has a story about the niu which highlights Niu Nowʻs work and the CRB beetle.

Lots of jobs are waiting so am going to close for now. In case I don’t make it back next week I want to wish everyone happy holidays. Thanks for tuning in.

Aloha Nui Loa,

Vicky