Feathered Friends

Aloha! Welcome!

Click on photos to enlarge"Life is like getting dropped off in the middle of the woods, and then year by year, gradually walking home."
April Foiles


"We are rich only through what we give, and poor only through what we refuse."
Anne-Sophie Swetchine

"Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." Henry Miller

"While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness."
Gilda Radner

Today I will tell you an old legend of Waikiki: The War with the Owls.

A proud young Ali`i was walking one day near Waikiki and disturbed a nest of baby owls. The mother claimed her rights and demanded that the impetuous young chief apologize, but he refused and even insulted the mother owl. These were the days when humans were still a part of nature, and guardians of the `aina, the sacred land of Hawaii - especially the Ali`i!

This mother owl was righteous in her
indignation and took her offended righteousness to the
King of the Owls. "Hear me!" she implored. "Humans no longer respect us as cousins. We must act before they all become like this impudent young fool, chief or not!" The Owl king listened to her plea with the gravity of a high chief - then he spoke his decision: "Hear Me our
people! The time has come when our treaty of peace
with the humans has been abrogated. WAR!"

All the owls (and, some say,other birds nursing grievances against disrespectful humans) took to the air. From every part of the island of O`ahu, and perhaps Maui and
Molokai as well, vast clouds of angry birds circled higher and higher over Manoa. They darkened the tropic skies and filled the space under heaven with the voices of angry, righteous multitudes. It didn't take long for them to get to Waikiki, home of the foolish young chief. The carnage was ugly, frightening, and - um-messy.

"Why is this happening?" asked the chief of Waikiki,
father of a certain young fool. An unsettled young chief had to humble himself before his father and his people (and in front of Lani who he loved). His humiliation was eloquent, his bold stupidity was being repaid and everyone in his life knew it. finally his father's Kahuna
chanted apology and respect to the feathered cousins,
inviting them to a great feast at the ancient heiau (temple) on the slopes of Diamond Head. Peace was reestablished and has held to this day. You haven't been mugged by an owl, have you?

So the treaty holds!

A L O H A! Cloudia