'AI MALAMA happening now

Streaming live from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in Honolulu ... 

 We brought the internet cable to the South Whidbey Tilth campus on Whidbey Island. And turned a small cozy place into a fragrance free zone for connecting to this incredible weekend of sharing about Kaulana Mahina.

Humble beginnings ... he puko'a kai 'aina my mother Helen Mokihana and my aunty Lily must be laughing out loud to see that I am still stringing clothesline and using clothespins to make tents, to make house!

 That's the screen and desk top we brought from home to set up this Remote HUB to be part of this first ever gathering of Pacific practicioners of kilo and timing based on the Hawaiian Lunar Calendar.

 There's our sign-in sheet with harvest crops to provide some privacy:)

 An outside shot of the Pavilion strung with clothesline and hung with clothespin. Ha'aha'a in action.

 Part of our 'Aimalama gangeh. Jude (L) our benefactress (funding our dream to bring 'Ai Malama to Whidbey), good friend, goat woman, teacher of children where 'Garden is the Curriculum'; Pete my main man; and Prescott our main South Whidbey Tilth 'Golden Pig'

Wahine li'i (small but mighty ones!)

Mahalo na aumakua. This is a weekend of great abundance. 'Ai Malama.

Equinox and 'Ole Pau

Yesterday's Autumnal Equinox was beautiful. In the sky at Sunset Mahina marked the halfway point. We created ceremony, grateful to be. I wrote about the homemade ceremony of Equinox here.

Earlier in the day a huge flock of Geese flew very low above us. I watched as the leader changed, it was a memory marker for Pete and me. We came together many seasons ago when the Geese sounded. Yesterday I felt the gift of connecting, or reconnection.

The Birds are back. We noticed that they were missing during most of the summer. Too dry, their source of protein (bugs) dried up, too. They were somewhere else. Through the Quonset window I see Sparrow is back, "It's good to see you," I say to her.

This Friday, September 25th the 'AIMALAMA LUNAR CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE takes place in Honolulu. The Pacific wide gathering of practitioners and individuals who are reviving and renewing their relationship with lunar timing in everyday application offers a unique opportunity. In addition to the in person participation of conference attendees, a remote hub facility allows people to watch the panels of practitioners via 'livestreaming' on the internet. My husband Pete and I are excited to be participating as a remote hub site here on Whidbey Island.

FYI ... it may be too late for you to register as a remote hub viewing site, but, here is the link if it is not too late.

Between the eclipses, 'Ole Ku Moons for gathering pine needles

There was an eclipse on the New Moon and a total lunar eclipse will happen with the Full Moon coming up next week (September 27, 2015) . Plenty of give-and-take and retakes happening as Saturn moves from one sign (Scorpio) to the other (Sagittarius). One way of looking at it is we collectively move from a time (2.5 yrs worth) of investigation (Scorpio) to a period of exploration (Sagittarius).

Personally, after a summer of illness and acknowledging the sacrifices being made (by the Forests' burning) I appreciate the slow breakthrough of ease I begin to feel. Slowed to the pace of a wild snail, my world becomes smaller not for the first time, but, smaller and closeted. I turn in, and come to know the Nature of Nature here where I live.

Today the Winds are strong.
Trees sway, a robust hula.
Pine needles rain down.

They do every year around this time turning the Forest floor golden. This year my attention is more attuned to the golden rain. I stop, stoop, and gather. Good exercise for dumpling women.

I hope to gather enough of the beautiful palm-size needles to make my first pine needle baskets. We'll see. The needles are beautiful, and many different colors from green to many shades of gold and reddish-brown. Hulo! Hurray! Never too old to stop, stoop, and gather miracles. Mahalo!

Pehea kakou? And what falls where you are?

Kane and Lono Moons ... times for gratitude

As the malama nears her end, the old cycle ends and the new is yet to come. Our kupuna were wise in their observations over time noticing and recording (through chants and oral tradition only) everything happening where they lived. In the same way Indigenous people have done since they took their first steps on two feet on Papa Hanaumoku (Earth) or surfed waves from the great Moana nui (ocean) it is that first committment -- to be where you are planted -- that begins a life of Indigeneity.

These photos were taken where I live. Every one of these small miracles is taking place within footsteps from my futon/writing table/cook top.

 The tops to small jars dry next to the heater this morning, one part of a two-piece container that will store freshly-juiced Wheatgrass Pete has grown, or ...

 a jar filled with Plant Herbs and Plant Medicine topped off with Vodka or Brandy to be an extract weeks later as I learn the gifts and relationships that have waited. Six seasons later, I have introduced myself and begun friendships.

 Some friends have traveled with us from place to place, from one island to another. These stones, pohaku li'ili'i hanau were given to me by my elder cousin Mokihana. With time I learn their ways these stones who give birth if I am watchful and respectful. The reflection of the Fall-colored Brackens connects me with the reality of change in all life.

 Peach is one of the friendships that is growing beautifully, gratefully for me. When I needed to calm and heal the 'assault' of forests burning, I was led to the big old Peach tree in our lower orchard. She has so much to give; I needed to open my heart and my ironically congested ears to those gifts.

 When I'd finished picking that paper bag of Peach leaves, our Hen friend Rygel has feathers molted all over the lower orchard floor. I picked up a few. Beautiful. Hens don't lay eggs when they molt. But, they leave feathers.

 Plates and bowls fill with plump green grapes. We pick them and eat them up. Yum! Also on the orchard floor is another Plant Medicine, Usnea or 'old man's beard.' I am new to the identification and making of medicine from Plant Medicine, so I will check with other Human friends who know about the wild medicine. But. I think the beard of white lichen is Usnea. Usnea is one of those gentle yet powerful medicine plants that could be the ally I need for strengthening my lungs, and building my immune system, in this place where we both live.

 The Peach leaves I gathered this morning had the kiss of morning dew on them. They are drying in the sun before I bring them in. If they dry wet, there's the high probability of mold. Not good for me.

 This is a collander of Peach leaves that have been drying for a week or more.

This collander of Peach has been drying for almost a month. I use four leaves in a cup of boiling water for tea. Add ginger and turmeric for heat and a little Buckwheat honey. Yummy stuff.

Mahalo Akua Kane and Lono your generosity ... your life-giving gifts so appreciated.

'Ole Pau Morning

Mahina looked beautiful in her pear-face, teardrop, lightbulb shape this morning. I think it was the camera mo'o playing with me; I like a playmate!

Fall is coming. Crisp morning temperatures in the high-40's. Plenty of rain again; burn bans have lifted. Pyro-maniacs burn huge smoky fires outdoors. 'Aue, poho, the air quality!