Once again
Precious connections with and on Kauaʻi
Once again these words are hitting the page (screen?) from a Place other than My Place.
Which place?
Once again (the third time this year) I find myself in the ahupuaʻa of Hanalei on the north shore of Kauaʻi.
It is not the time of year to see my beloved mōlī chicks, although
once again the first future parents have returned.1
Which places?
Once again, this week I connected with People connected with Kauaʻi Places mentioned in my Earth Week post.
Which places?
Once again, I was called to volunteer my labor and care as a way of connecting with Place. This week, for the first time, not for the last time, at Waipā Foundation, an inspiring example of ahupuaʻa scale stewardship, stewardship of the ahupuaʻa of Waipā .
Which places?
Once again (for the third time in as many years) I was called to heal and be inspired at Common Ground Summit in the ahupuaʻa of Kīlauea. Kīlauea - a name tying this Place to the mokupuni I call my Place.
Once again - I share the link for what I wrote last year about the gathering at Common Ground. Because you really should read it.
Once again there was mud
food
community
tears
laughter
ceremony
welcome
inspiration
delight
singing call and response
stitching quilts and stories
swearing
quiet
dancing
arriving
renewal of hope
The ʻoli was call and response. The singing was call and response.
Listen and repeat. Listen and mimic. Listen and learn. Listen and harmonize.
I was called. I responded
[A frequent panelist at Common Ground Summit confessed to me she is now giving all her conference speeches as prose poems.]
Once again poetry found its way into my week. Shall I try? Just try.
Here is a prose poem.
Once again.
Laysan albatross. They nest on a cul-de-sac within the Princeville Resort and I have become obsessed with their fledging. Follow Hob Osterlund if you are on Facebook.