Good Bones

Beneath this Hawaiian flag, is a beach-front reliquary for ancestral bones, "Iwi," disturbed in the construction of modern Waikiki. The bones were hidden in days of old, so their "Mana" would bless the land and the descendants. Forensic pathologists can tell from bone composition, where someone lived their life. In a very real sense, the place we live becomes mineral-ized into our very bones. Additionally, the Hawaiians believe that one's spiritual state and actions taken also "make ones bones." Weapons or ritual implements made from Pono (righteous) Iwi hold energy and power to their purpose. That is why the bones of great chiefs were hidden away. Kamehameha the Great's burial place is unknown, though suspected to be in some coastal cave on the Big Island, Hawaii. A Descendant of the royal retainer trusted to hide those bones is today the care-taker of the Royal Mausoleum containing the bones of subsequent Hawaiian Majesties. Kamehameha continues to influence our islands through the Mana of his hidden Iwi, as do our other Kupuna Iwi (ancestral bones) . . . .

"Charm is a way of getting the answer "yes" without asking a clear question."- Camus

"We are all stupid, just on different subjects."

- Twain

"I am not a glutton. I'm an explorer of food."

- Erma Bombeck

"Fast food" lunch at Shirokiya

Mochiko (mochi-rice-flour, fried) chicken

& Ebi (shrimp) shumai (dumplings). Ono, Des!

Coke grows on palm trees!

Why are these palms bent?

"through the windshield"

"If you can recognize illusion as illusion, it dissolves. The recognition . . .is also its ending. Its survival depends on your mistaking it for reality. In the seeing of who you are NOT (the normal illusion) the reality of who you ARE emerges by itself."

- Eckhart Tolle A L O H A ! Cloudia

Lava Tongue

Christmas in Manoa Valley
(Click on Pics to enlarge)


Ted Trimmer:
"December Sunset"



















Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas), girls!




OOOOO, Red!

Pho in Chinatown & Cops!

"In youth we feel richer for every new illusion; in maturer years, for every one we lose." - Anne Sophie Swetchine

"Describe things as better than they are and you'll be called a romantic; describe them as worse than they are and they'll call you a realist; describe them exactly as they are and you'll be thought of as a satirist." - Quentin Crisp

"It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument."

- William Gibbs McAdoo

A mile-wide "tongue" of lava is crawling towards Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It takes a six mile hike over dangerous new terrain to see (feel & smell) it up close, but you can look in on Pele's activities courtesy of Big Island vulcanologists at: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam/ , or: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam3/ .

Move over humpbacks: Two Sei Whales were spotted last week off Maui in approximately 50 feet of water. Longer and narrower than our customary humpbacks, and wearing shorter flippers, they boast a magnificently tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin. Habitue`s of deep, temperate seas, these guys are "extremely rare" in Hawaiian waters. If they can make it here, so can YOU!

The older I get, the more I identify with my heart, rather than my appearance. Good thing too: my appearance isn't what it once was - but my heart is growing everyday! Thanks for "walking along" with me through the run-up to an island Christmas. . . . A L O H A! Cloudia

Eddie Would Go

Eddie Aikau (above)

"Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."
- Robert Bresson

"We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don't know."
- W. H. Auden

Perhaps you've seen the bumper stickers while driving around Hawaii: "Eddie Would Go." Maybe you've wondered: "Who's Eddie?" He was Eddie Aikau, legendary waterman, lifeguard, champion surfer - but so much more. . . First, Eddie was "one of us," a local Hawaiian whose father,"Pops," took Eddie's mother Henrietta and the family surfing nearly every weekend while Eddie was growing up. The boy learned early to pitch in and help drag the families old fashioned 75 lb. wooden surfboard up the beach. . . . In 1967, Eddie was one of the first to surf fifteen-foot Sunset breaks. That same historic year Eddie shared one of the "biggest" days at Waimea Bay with some of the best surfers in the world, guys whose names are also legends of the sport today; but not like Eddie. He was special, and da boy proved it again that day by riding a perfect 40 foot set in his unique, soulful style. The crowd went nuts! A natural choice to be the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay, Eddie's favorite "spot," he was known for sharing his knowledge freely with everyone who came to "his" beach. They say that Eddie only filed reports on a small portion of the rescues he performed, the lives he saved. "No beeg t`ing." But others saw what was going on down there, and voted him Lifeguard of the Year 1971. . . . .
In 1976, the first year of the I.P.S. world tour, Eddie ranked 12th in the world and helped to legitimize the fledgling pro sport with is skill and humble showmanship. Yes, Eddie was there at the beginning - along with his well-known red board. But Eddie was soon to be selected for another honor, as one of the original nine crew members chosen by the Polynesian Voyaging Society to reenact the ancestral voyages of discovery on the traditionally built sailing canoe, "Hokule'a" (Arcturus. Literally translated: Hoku - star, le'a -joy, pleasure, happiness. Hawaii began with people "following their star, following their bliss.") The 60' double hulled sailing canoe was built to replicate the historic voyages of the original Hawaiian people in their migrations to this new land. It was known that the sailing Kahuna of those times made precise observations of the stars, sun, moon, winds, ocean swells/currents, as well as the behaviour of sea birds, to make their way across the star map of the night skies and the Earth's broadest ocean. But they had also used their traditions, memories and experience: none of which Eddie and his crew ohana would have. But Eddie "wen" go anyway. . . The weather was iffy at Magic Island around 7:00 PM on the Spring evening of March 16, 1978 - but locals packed the park to be a part of the emotional event anyway. It was the height of the "Hawaiian Renaissance, the proud rediscovery of everything "Hawaiian" after more than a century of de facto denigration. The Hokule`a truly carried the pride of a nation with it. Despite the marginal weather, a decision was taken to depart. . . . Northwest of the isle of Lanai, as they navigated one of the world's most unpredictable and challenging passages - the Kaiwi Channel - the sailing canoe was cloaked in biblical dark clouds, and slammed by heavy weather. Taking on water that black night, pounded by twelve foot swells, and braving gale force winds, the craft drifted farther and farther away from customary shipping lanes, and even air routes. With every passing hour, they were driven father and farther away from any hope of rescue. Clinging to their capsized canoe with his fellows, Eddie decided to paddle his board for Lanai, some twelve miles to the east. The captain finally gave his assent, knowing that THIS man was the one who could make it - if anyone could; and for the last time, Eddie would go. . . The Hokule`a was spotted the next day by the pilot of a routine inter- island flight who JUST HAPPENED to look in the RIGHT SPOT at the RIGHT MOMENT, a statistical miracle, but our Eddie, and his familiar red board were never seen again. No trace was ever found. Like a hero of old, taken whole-bodied to mythical realms, he became almost a demi-god to Hawaiians, to surfers, and to all who love the seas of the human heart. Today, surfing officials at Waimea Bay, and members of the Aikau ohana, will decide if conditions are right for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave surfing event. Ultimately, they say, the "bay will call the day." But humans will ride those monsters again - just like Eddie used to. If not today, then tomorrow - or next week - unless the "window period" closes without proper conditions. Then the local experts will surf it again without a contest. It's more than a contest to us, after all, and it's all out of human hands anyway. The Hawaiians of old always followed the decisions of nature. Whether the contest goes off or not this year, the "Eddie" is a celebration of a humbly heroic person, an appreciation of a certain view of people, and of life. The Eddie Aikau Foundation continues to nurture the kids coming up whatever the conditions. . . . So when the time of challenge comes, I hope that I will go just like Eddie always did; with resolution, celebration, and a Hawaiian heart full of Aloha for the ocean, Ke Kai, and for all of you who share this island home with me . . . .this island we call "Earth," A L O H A! Cloudia

note: the Hokule`a has since made several successful journeys, visiting all the historically linked isles of the Pacific, and closing the "Polynesian Triangle" with a voyage that included Rapa Nui ("Easter Island") late in the last century. Most recently, the latest crew sailed the canoe to Micronesia to gift a full-scale voyaging canoe built in Hawaii to MAU, the wise Micronesian islander who taught the Hawaiian navigators his traditional (and almost lost!) skills of Polynesian navigation. The two canoes departing reminded some of the flotillas of ancient times, journeying together. The Hokule`a made an nontraditional visit to Japan, where she was feted & celebrated by the Japanese people and especially the many Hula troops that flourish there today. I'm humbled to tell you that a copy of my little novel: "Aloha Where You Like Go?" also voyaged with that crew. I handed it to captain Nainoa Thompson on the day of departure as a gift. He sent it aboard, and gave me a long hug. I know what it's like to go out of sight of land - other worldly. And the responsibility of lives at sea is out-of-body. "We're all praying for you," I said. "Thank you. We have a lot of time to read out there," he told me. "Thanks for the book." Nothing inessential is brought on the voyage. I'm thrilled that my words made the trip; that I could be even a small part of the story of these beloved people & islands that I call my home . . .

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

The Whales Return

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude."
- Cynthia Ozick















"The Dreamers are the saviors of the world."
- James Allen




"The Greeks invented logic but were not fooled by it."
- Eric Hoffer

A big "Mahalo" thank you to everyone who left a comment yesterday! Things have been so "jamming" here at Da Beach that I've fallen behind in my visits to YOUR sites. I look forward to catching up with you soon! YOU are the whole point of this blog.

A few days ago, a catamaran spotted the first whales of the season a couple of miles off Diamond Head. Winter really has arrived! Another sign of the season: A group of inmates at the minimum security Waiawa Correctional Center, here on Oahu, rose before dawn one morning last week. They took off their red prison shirts and tied Kihei over one shoulder in the old way. Conch shells (Pu) were blown, and Oli, chants, shared. The men were blessed with long Ti leaves that had been dipped in water salty with Hawaiian Alae, red salt. The Kahu, Priest, sprinkled the assembled men with the water he had blessed. And then they each had a few moments to speak. Most expressed thanks for their families and friends, their Ohana. Some did so with newly learned Hawaiian words. "This is about growth, forgiveness, and new beginnings," said Kahu Patterson. Each Oli of the morning seemed to be answered by Ka Makani, the wind, and after the group recited the Lord's Prayer one particularly strong gust blew over their altar to traditional god of the Makahiki season, Lono. Make of this what you will. Like many other indigenous people colonized by westerners, most Hawaiians are devout Christians who, nonetheless, bring their ancient spiritual culture into church with them. You should hear O Holy Night in Hawaiian! E lohe na Leo Anela: "You, Hear The Voices of Angels." Liturgical Hula is not uncommon here, even at Catholic Mass. Of course the original missionaries would be outraged by this, but our understanding and our compassion do seem to evolve over time. In 2003 the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation filed suit on behalf of Hawaii prisoners (a majority Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian) incarcerated on the "continent." To deny them their cultural observances was not re-rehabilitative, or Pono "righteous." After this year's hard won ceremony, each man turned to the brother next to them. They touched foreheads, and shared the sacred "Ha" the breath of life, the Makana "gift" that some prefer to call the Peace of Christ. May that peace, whatever YOU may call it, be yours today. Amene

A L O H A ! Cloudia

Island Writer

Duke Kahanamoku & Babe Ruth ca 1930's (below)

If you want to be a writer, you should "go down" to London, move to New York, or "do" the workshops and postgraduate program at Iowa. . . the last thing you want to do is move to the outskirts of "civilization." Of course if you are FROM a culture far from the center, well then you are a multi-cultural treasure to be discovered, like the magical-realists of Latin America. But nice light-skinned middle aged ladies who report on "exotics," like Isabella Bird, are SOOO last century (or before!). I have never learned the knack of succeeding "conventionally" and so have all the advantages of absolute freedom. I write what I am moved to write. My "fish out of the East Coast" literary love affair with Hawaii has not been a matter of choice or calculation; it has been a compulsion. I write because I am. My little novel: "Aloha Where You Like Go?" demanded to be written. People NEEDED to see the REAL treasure of Hawaii and her people BEHIND the paradise illusions; I didn't know HOW, only that I MUST. I sure learned a lot! Now I have the pleasure of being a sort of literary duck-billed platypus: not a New York writer, not exactly a Pacific writer. But YOU don't care about labels, do you? I have discovered READERS and friends. There you are!

People who READ blogs are often writers themselves. So the friends my book has made, those of YOU who visit Comfort Spiral, who become "followers," and who comment, you have all given me a wonderful gift. I appreciate your attention, and the lessons I learn reading all of your words. Thanks for strolling along with me through my Waikiki and my life. Here are some quotes that I think express some "truth" about being a writer. Hope you enjoy them. Sales and ranking are not the measure of an author, I've learned. Hearts touched & friends made are a humbling gift indeed! Every reader is a living treasure. These days I feel very wealthy indeed. Mahalo!

"When I glance back at my prose, the quality I admire and fear to have lost is its exuberant air of slight excess." - John Updike

"A slender poetry volume selling less than a thousand copies and receiving a handful of admiring reviews can give its author a pride and sense of achievement denied more mercenary producers of the written word. As for bad reviews and poor sales, they can be dismissed on the irrefutable hypothesis that reviewers and book buyers are too obtuse to appreciate true excellence. Over time many books quickly bloom and then vanish; a precious few unfold, petal by petal, and become classics." - John Updike

"Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good you'll have to ram them down people's throats." - Howard Aiken

Sniffle

"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling."

- Margaret Lee Runbeck

"A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people."

- Thomas Mann (1875 - 1955)

"He who has much to proclaim one day, stays silently much immersed within himself: he who has to kindle the lightning one day, must for a long time--be a cloud."
- Friedrich Nietzsche

This Cloudia has been much immersed in a bad cold.

Cozy, at first, to lie beneath magazines, gentle handling, and irresponsibility.

Maddening, at last, to be buried in tissues, honking like a goose, unable to concentrate on . . . now what was that I just. . . huh?

Today a Saturday dawned. My motorcycle pawed the turf outside. Dare I? *Sneeze* What the hell!

Together we escaped the surly bonds of home. Back into the world: so rich! So Varied! "Hello everyone." (The throttle feels good)

For a while we can fly and see EVERYTHING. A McMuffin might be nice.

The world is still there: Diamond Head, the gladding crowd, the crowded shopping mall (ride on!). Till Circling home. Fulfilled and smelling of fresh gasoline. God bless motorcycles, and a post (a blog-post!) to chain them to at last. Amen!

Hope you enjoy these disjointed images of my fevered ride . . . . . and my disjointed exclamations. . . Huh? (Sniffle) A L O H A ! Cloudia