It is a sad day when you have to borrow money from your children just so the tooth fairy can come to visit. Time for a second job...like so many other Maui residents...professionals by day, entertainers by night. Spent my last $90.00 on Craig's list finds..A large bookshelf and an oak dresser. Now maybe the clothes will stay off the floor. I always enjoy meeting the people who are selling their things.
The kids attended a sports camp held at our church this week. Laci did cheerleading, Levi did basketball, Kiera = soccer, Anthony participated in the 4/5 "rythmic movement" class, and Tessa helped lead cheer.
On Wednesday, Tessa played hookey from her responsibility at camp to be able to go on a trip to Honokowai Valley with our canoe club. It is a place where our canoe coaches Auntie and late husband started to restore some land back to its native vegetation. For the past 10 years they have slowly been working, along with volunteers, to clear the brush and debris to reveal the site of an ancient community that once lived there.
Before we started the trek down the steep ravine into the valley, an Hawaiian prayer/chant was offered letting the ancestors know why we were there. All of our worries/cares of modern life were to be left at the top of the hill. A group of about 60 of us carefully made our way down and were rewarded with a much cooler temperature.
Large trees provided nice shade as our host explained the names and uses for the various plants and trees about us. Some for medicinal purposes, some to make dyes, others to make hooks to fish with, leis to wear, boats to sail, etc.. We tried the fruit of the noni which tasted a bit like apple. A very ripe one smelled like a pinapple mixed with stinky cheese. Some of the kids were reluctant to try it.
We learned about the kukui tree. If you break the stem from a kukui nut off, the sap which forms can be used to treat cold sores and sore throats. The oil from the plant is used as a laxative. The nuts themselves can be burned, hence the other name for this plant is candlenut. The leaves from this tree can be boiled and used as a poltice for ulcers, swollen joints and headaches. The bark boiled to make a red dye... and many other uses for this tree...God has provided everything we need to live an abundant life..it is up to us to discover his hidden treasures.
After our educational session, our group went to work clearing away dried grass, sticks and pulling weeds. Afterwards, some ti plants were put into the ground and watered.
Lunch was provided for all (I don't know who pays for all this), but I do know that the spirit of Aloha abounds within this family who takes care of this place. (They let me borrow a car for a week, not even knowing me).
The day was ended by a refreshing swim at a nearby beach. Crystal clear water, it was fun to splash around with the kids..A unicorn fish swam by..Oh how I love Maui! I am grateful my children are able to live here.
Aloha=love, compassion, honesty, to give freely without expecting in return. Truly a blessing....may I live up to that standard, with God's help.
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