February 12, 2005

Ho'ili'ili (To Gather Up)

Cloud Scape over Orchidland Subdivision

There are many Hawaiian words for "gathering"...I couldnt decide which one to "ho'ahu" (pick) to I selected the word that means to selectively gather or collect for the title of the post. I find that these different words could apply to my feelings and actions over these past few weeks as I am starting to really solidify the plans for our departure from Hawaii...and suffer through the long good-bye...



"HuiHui a Kolea" to assemble the group and leave out nothing I dont want to shirk anything that is needful for the closing of the business and the departure from the island. A few of the good byes will be very hard, as it is likely that I will not see some of these people again.

"Kui o'lao" to pick opi'i, a limpet that is collected for eating here in Hawaii. This activity involves an opi'i picker climbing rocky cliffs to scrape the crusteations off of rocks at the tide line. A very dangerous occupation, and a number of them die every year here on the Big Island. This word eludes to the hard choices one might have to make in life...





"Hukihuki" To pick taro Taro is a plant whose roots are used by Polynesians to make a starchy paste called "Poi" Poi is the staff of life, the mainstay of the Polynesian diet. The panting and harvesting of taro is done by hand. The plant is pulled up out of watery mud that is its prime growing place and the farmer picks off the sprouts or "keiki" (which is also the word for child) and plants them for new taro plants in the future. The nurturing as well as the picking of Taro occured at the same time

I feel like we are doing this same sort of thing with moving. We are gathering up and moving, selling everything, but placing the bulk of the money in savings and being frugal while here. The cash is like the keiki, new opportunity can be afforded once we find out where we want to settle.


"Ko'i" to pick fruits Fruit picking is a gentle business. Many of the fruits of Hawaii requite gentle handling when they are as ripe as needed for good eating. Papaya, Rambutan, bananas (many different types are grown here.)Avocado and a host of others need precision to maintain quaility. so it is with life right now. I am forced to make choices with the mindset of "What is best for the future?" " How will this be 10 years from now? Woody will be 65 then..." We are making choices slowly...

"Aulau" to pick leaves Leaves, like Ti and Taro are used for decoration thaching of roofs and for cooking. The leaves must be cleaned and intact. For thaching they are dried and bundled, for cooking the taro leaf is used like a corn husk when you make the Tamale, The Hawaiian tamale is called a "Lau Lau" much the same thing. You have to think about what you are doing and keep the leaves in order. the Ti leaves and Maile leaves are used for hula and for thaching sacred spaces and must be picked while not speaking, out of respect.

We respect this process. Woody and I have spent many hours talking about this and I know that I have prayed over every aspect of the situation. Much of the time at the store when I am alone and it is quiet I pray. I pray for mercy and strength. I pray for a home for every peice of jewelry and for the future owners of our house. I pray for Mak and Nani and how they will be fearful, and we wont be able to be with them much for a number of weeks during the transition. God cares about them, and I know that He will take care of them better than I.

"Ho'akoakoa pu" To unfurl and put away sails from the canoe As the Hawaiian Sailor pulls into port, and takes down the sail there is a prayer of thanksgiving to the god that he reveres for the safe journey. Then the sails are folded in a special way as to preserve them and to maintain them. Woody and I want our closing days to be good and right here. No bad taste left in someones mouth over our departure. As I close the shop for the last time in two weeks I want to remember the job well done the voyage well taken and how much I have learned. I want to fold the sails so that those that come behind me can unfurl and keep right on going....


"Ho alualu" to sew to peice together a quilt Quilt making came to Hawaii by way of the missionary, and was whole heartedly embraced. The collecting the peices of cloth from old worn clothing was an important task, and one done often. Out of the scraps of cloth came masterpeices of design.

Lord it all seems so strange but you know how to lay the peices of the quilt of my life. I give you total control of the results. Help us to be grateful, for everything that comes our way and give us wisdom to know what is best...