Before the trip I prepped my bag. My intention was to bring a ti leaf and Hawaiian salt. I went searching on campus but didn’t find one so I offered my Ha(breath of life). As I got in the van I asked permission to all the sites we would be in and to be able to share in its sacredness. As we drove off on our trip a large rainbow appeared after some time we saw another one in the highway. Rainshowers greeted us and led us to Pali lookout. "Contentment in every circumstance, in all situations, is the trademark of a spiritual seeker." --Amma
Heavier rain down pour and splashed the van, Lei'ohu Ryder's music lyrics came to my mind "flow with the cleansing waters, the source from all high, flow with the cleansing waters, sacred breath of life, flow with the cleansing the source from all high, Breath in Divine mother..." Then we arrived at Kawai Nui Marsh I learned it is the largest marsh in Hawaii. We walked in, I enjoyed hearing the birds chirp, chirp, chirping away. As we all stood I found myself surrounded by ti leaves. I asked permission to remove the ti leaf and then offered my Ha. I learned that this lush and abundant forest was filled with endangered wildlife and ancient Hawaiian archeological such as the Mo'o goddess. We also learned about different plant species types: Native: species that were brought to a location without help from any person Endemic: species that are native and can be found only in that location. Indigenous: species that are native but can be found elsewhere. Introduced Species: species that were brought to that location. Invasive: A species that is non-native or introduced to an ecosystem that can cause a threat to the biodiversity. Currently volunteers are working to restore its original agricultural field areas through cleaning-up and digging up of invasive introduced plant species. We left and I gave my Mahalo... Next we went Hamakua Nui Marsh which was a smaller wetland. I really enjoyed observing and spending times with these beautiful birds. Unfortunately there was a plastic bag floating in the water. The duck began to quickly swim towards it making repeated loud honking sounds. The duck's quack echoed across the water. For a moment we connected gazes. This creature was speaking out for his home. I wished I had a long stick to pull out the plastic bag. I wondered what volunteer groups and how often they come to clean this marsh. It also made me think how to assist children into inner motivation to feel respect for the land and its creatures. Also, I thought about the grown-ups and what would motivate them to feel and model love, compassion and respect for two-legged, four-legged and all the keiki of the earth/ earth's creatures. I pray for our greater awakening... Next we went to the Ulupo Heiau, I walked barefoot connecting with the earth. I thought of the movie "grounded". Next we visited Makapu'u Overlook, the view was spectacular here we learned about the remnants of the volcano eruptions. We learned that some lava rocks are called pahoehoe and the formations are more spread out and a'a in which the formations are more circular. Afterwards,Art showed us his favorite rock and we discovered olivine crystals in the rock, so magically!
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