Ramblings

Sharing this site...Alice Waters...Chez Panisse in Berkeley.
The best restaurant and I love Alice Waters.

http://www.chezpanissefoundation.org/

Hiking on Pu'u Ohia Trail

This morning Kris and I went to the Farmer's Market at Kapiolani Community College. It's insane and crowded, but I still love my favorite vendors. I always purchase way more than I mean to, but I always use it all. Beet greens, broccoli rabe, Maui onions, and leeks.

After shopping, we drove up to Tantalus for a short hike on Pu'u Ohia Trail. It's so nice to see native plants doing so well on Oahu where so many invasive ones have come to dominate. The delicate, white native hibiscus was in full bloom. I've never seen it quite like today. I didn't bring my camera so I was glad to have my trusty iPhone. Not the same, but at least I got a shot.

Test for cooking green on Sierra site

Here's a fun test to see how green your cuisine is:
http://www.sierraclub.org/howgreen/cuisine/

I got a 75%...must learn more.  It's so hard to know what's green and to somehow walk the middle way so that you're not driving yourself and your family and friends crazy!

Living Pono - Jason Scott Lee

We recently saw Living Pono at the Hawaii International Film Festival.  Jason Scott Lee lives a few block away from our home in Volcano and is living off the grid with catchment water, no electricity...farming.  I loved seeing Volcano, a place that I've come to love.  I love living among ohia trees and hapu'u (native fern) and seeing apapane (red native bird) hopping around on the hapu'u leaves.  The film was a documentary about the way of live that Jason Scott Lee lives - green and off the grid.  We're not talking about recycling your plastic and glass.  We're talking about a small footprint on the planet.  Bathing in a bucket, washing clothes by hand and drying them on a line. 

"Everybody was thinking that if you live so far away from Hollywood, you'll ruin your career," Lee admits in the opening scenes of the film. "  I said, 'Career is nothing without the happiness and the joy inside.' Even now, it's kind of hard to explain."

 He built the Ulua Theatre that seats about 80 people on his property and features.  The last time we were there we saw a play called Kamau about three Hawaiian cousins who lose the land that has been in their family for generations to developers.  It was thought-provoking and oh-so-local.  In the theatre, the energy of the area can be felt.  It's hard to describe until you've spent time up there.

What an example Jason is.  He is inspiring in his commitment to take care of the land.

When we're up in Volcano, I become more aware of the footprint I am making.  Our water source is rain catchment in two tanks.  If there is no rain, we have no water.  The use of fuel is evident as we have to refill small propane tanks and replace firewood.  There is no trash pick up so you always know how much you're putting into the landfill.  I love that about being up here.

"The Great Turning"

This poem made me cry.  I found it on Joanna Macy's website.  Her website is worth checking out!

THE GREAT TURNING

"You've asked me to tell you of The Great Turning, of how we saved the world from disaster.
The answer is both simple and complex.
We turned.

For hundreds of years we had turned away as life on earth grew more precarious.
We turned away from the homeless men on the streets, the stench from the river, the children orphaned in Iraq, the mothers dying of AIDS in Africa.

We turned away because that is what we had been taught.
To turn away, from our pain, from the hurt in another's eyes, from the drunken father or the friend betrayed.

Always we were told, in actions louder than words, to turn away, turn away. And so we became a lonely people caught up in a world moving too quickly, too mindlessly towards its own demise.

Until it seemed as if there was no safe place to turn. No place, inside or out, that did not remind us of fear or terror, despair and loss, anger and grief.

Yet on one of those days someone did turn.

Turned to face the pain. Turned to face the stranger. Tuned to look at the smoldering world and the hatred seething in too many eyes. Turned to face himself, herself.

And then another turned. And another. And another. And as they wept, they took each other's hands.

Until whole groups of peole were turning. Young and old, gay and straight. People of all colors, all nations, all religions. Turning not only to the pain and hurt hut to beauty, gratitude and love, Turning to one another with forgiveness and a longing for peace in their hearts..."

-- Christine Fry (October 19, 2004)

Blue Water Event_April 9

I love Hawaii and the ocean and I invite you to join this event:

E Malama I Ke Kai
Bring your family to the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to learn more about the community’s efforts to preserve Hawai‘i’s marine resources.
Saturday, April 9, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

To celebrate Earth Day and to learn about on-going grassroot efforts promoting conservation and stewardship of our marine resources. Speakers, posters, and information tables will be provided by participating agencies and non-profit organizations. It is a chance to find out more about activities, achievements, challenges... and how to get involved in protecting Hawai‘i’s precious environment. Keiki crafts and activities are also planned. 

This free event has something for everyone! Mark your calendars now! This event is co-sponsored by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Hanauma Bay Education Program.

For more information on E Mälama I Ke Kai please call the Sanctuary office at 397-2651 ext. 253 or the Hanauma Bay Education Program at 397-5840.