Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Hawaii State Quarter

"The first duty of love is to listen."

-Paul Tillich




"Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness."
Hippocrates(460 BC - 377 BC)



"When you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, something inside always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about."
- Albert Einstein


This is the final "State Quarter" in the U.S. Mint program that was begun 10 years ago with the first U.S. State: Delaware, Joe Biden Country. Here we see Kamehameha, the "Lonely One." He was a Big Island chief who met Captain Cook while still a young man, and was subsequently inspired to unite his island. When a sudden volcano flow buried his assembling enemy it was thought that Pele, the goddess of fire, favored him. Ultimately he united all major islands of Hawaii under his flag; Kauai remained unconquered, but joined his kingdom by treaty. He founded a dynasty of Kamehamehas and is known as Kamehameha I, or "The Great." His moment in history was the link between an ancient culture and a "modern" world. He navigated the frail canoe of his nation with prudence and statesmanship. Here his arm is stretched out over his beloved island chain. There too, are the words of our motto: "UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO" The Life of the Land (Aina) is perpetuated in righteousness (Pono). His first capitol of a united Hawaiian Kingdom was here at Waikiki. . .
. . . Remember, there is no fault in failing to appease the un-peaceable. Keep difficult people at a polite distance lest you too become agitated and resentful. Jesus didn't heal everyone. Why would we think that we have to? The free will of others dictates that they are free to misjudge us and to dislike us. But we do not have to return the favor. Grab your freedom. Slam the door if you have to, but live in harmony and aloha with yourself & others. That's my wish for YOU today!
ALOHA, Cloudia