`Aha Update #9: Becoming Mauliauhonua (family intimate with their place)

Red is the color of the sunset

(reflected too, in the skins of Fir and Hemlock)

So red hard to look at

Eyes not meant for

such red.

The forest fires smoke the air, sucking the oxygen from it making it difficult for breathing. I wonder as I write whether it is any less, or maybe, more difficult for the trees to breath. As they sense the burning of their relations, their kin, is there not grief there?

Pete drove me out to The Tilth this morning to gather a few more Mullein Blossoms from our friend Kristen's lovely garden. I am making ear soothing oil from the simple, and gently sedating golden blossoms. A few drops of this oil, though best after 6 weeks, is a comfort to the ears even after a week or two. I am finding the oil a helpful remedy for the smoke's effect on my very generously built ears:)

And, if you would like to read how the oil is also slipping into the making of myth you might enjoy going here. (This myth will become a comic book that I am writing and illustrating, and a Reward for donors when we finally launch our crowdfunding campaign.)

Enjoy a few very short videos of "Mullein Blossom Oil Making"

The process of creating safe passage for Vardo for Two is truly a long-term experience. It is the process of makawalu, analysis. Not quick, and very mindful. We keep open to the clues, and become Mauliauhonua. 

What is Mauliauhonua?

Our kumu teacher Kalei Nu'uhiwa defined Mauliauhonua this way:

1. Learning and utilizing the Kaulana Mahina to note monthly, seasonal and cyclical occurrences. 

Whenever possible our decisions and timing for activity is focused on the Kaulana Mahina.   As an example, we gathered for our first Front Porch `Aha on one of the Full Moons. Then, gathered again to set our intention to ask for Safe Passage for Vardo for Two on the New Moon. We are conscious about not doing new projects, or taking on major enterprise during the po 'ole.

2. Kilo - Making observations. Paying attention and noting what is happening around you.

Kilo is our tap root of daily practice. We kilo everything! This can be overwhelming if you shove all that you observe into yourself all at once, and all the time. That's where the po 'ole comes in very very handy. Smart, our kupuna. They lived wise timing.

3.Collecting your observations and correlating them with the Kaulana Mahina establishes your own foundational understanding of your surroundings. Over time you will be able to see the normal or abnormal trends that are occurring to which you can make adjustments to your practice.

This blog, is one of the major ways I collect and record what I/we are observing. We began when we were living in 'Scout' our Subaru ... house-less yet in preparation for a much different life; a life as mauliauhonua was beginning.

4. Collecting your own data in your own way. Examples of tools available out there to start your data collection would be to begin keeping observations sheets, logs, journals, composing ʻōlelo noʻeau (proverbs), writing moʻolelo (stories), or composing mele (chant, song).

You can also choose to write ʻōlelo noʻeau to continue the practice of creating traditional databases to transfer your observations on to the next generation.

Collecting data in my own way includes tying many angles into a net(work) that appeals to my environmentally sensitive self; being 'Environmentally Ill' takes on a whole new definition and perspective. 

I compose blog posts, and create mythic versions of the mundane and call them medicine stories. That way the multiple reality is given due respect. My kupuna the elders who came before me did this when they composed proverbs, stories, chant and song. I am perpetuating the practice. 

5. Become Mauliauhonua - "Be the App"
The final component is to work towards becoming the expert in your neighborhood or community. 

This is our aim: "Be the App." While we research what it will take for us to experience 'Safe Passage' with our golden wagon built as a refuge, we remind ourselves that it is a process. A lifelong journey of becoming.  

Hope you enjoy the videos. We do a little, or a lot each day, to make our way toward continuing safe passage with Vardo for Two. Dates and specifics are yet to come, but, we are here and connect with you keeping on this spiral path.

Peace and Love,

Moki and Pete

`Aha Update # 6: Yin to Yang ... the road trip (Updated, 8/1/2017)*

We woke to the smell of fresh asphalt. The highway north and south on Whidbey is under construction. The smell of hot petroleum -- this is not a normal smell. Opportunity to make a new choice: the yin to the yang of a vehicle mobile life, and the reality of being mauliauhonua, a person intimate with their environment.

Mapped with an alternative driving plan which would avoid any new pavement we headed for the ferry via the back roads in the early morning.

 Before 7 am, we were parked at the Watering Hole, a public artesian well, on 164th Street in Snohomish County. Pete was on a 'water run' filling the car with bottles of unfiltered spring water.

 Standing in lines to fill their bottles before we got there, the parking lot already full.

 I remained in my nest -- the passenger seat of Scout the Subaru. Most of the folks are heavily scented with laundry product or other fragrance. A medicine story has begun to feed me remedy. I wrote and drew onto napkins. N-Art.

 Years ago, when the steep learning curve of life with Environmental Illness was fresh and we lived in the Subaru, it was onto napkins like this one, that I began to find a way through the unfamiliar territory; and art slipped in. I showed Pete the drawings I'd done. We stilled ourselves. "Time to give thanks to the Water." We did, acknowledging Kane, Giver of Life, Ka Wai Ola. Mahalo nui 'o Kane. And then we moved on.

 The Crows were busy at that hour of the morning. Busy getting dizzy.

Rather than return to Whidbey after the water run, we had to decide: "South to Seattle? Nope. East to Wenatchee? A'ole. West to Whidbey was already out. We heading North stopped for take out breakfast of veggie omelet and biscuits and gravy. La Conner has a new slough side park, we pulled up, and found park benches to enjoy our meal while the water and cool morning air moved swiftly past. Ah, the fresh cold air was delightful. Then we wound our way through the Skagit farmland where fields of potatoes were in blossom.

This barn. So beautiful in it's wear. We have spent many hours visiting this farm land. When we leave for warmer wintering, and Hawaii, we will take this memory with us.

Bright portraits of brown-skinned people were on many walls. Tribute to the people who gather all our food? I finally found the answer to this question: "Peace In, Peace Out"*

"Peace In, Peace Out is a project of multi-cultural journalism, painting, and a weaving exchange between families within our Skagit community. Through this project, youth tell personal and community and the value of their experiences through art." Read the entire description of this project on the "Peace In, Peace Out" website. Wow, how great that road trip really was. Journey is adventure and unfolding understandings. 

Road trips are risky business for people like us with Environmental Illness. We avoided the road work on Whidbey, but could not avoid construction on other roadways. The uncontrolled addiction, or collusion with Monsanto, and the use of Roundup for roadside cleanup was part of our yin yang road trip yesterday. My mask, and oxygen tank helps. Pete has his personal ginger root remedy that helps a little. Sharing the driving eased the burden for him who does SO MUCH. And, at the end of the day it was the safety and comfort of the small wagon, the well worn cotton bedding, the futon, in Vardo for Two that are the heart that matters so much to us. Restorative sleep is the key for us.

I'm at the keys now eating between words. I kilo, I noticed and noted, the oatmeal sending me love notes as the oats cooked. "I heart you," it bubbled. I took it as an auspicious and positive message. My body is fed. Oh delicious! We slept deep and sound last night, with more appreciation for the love that is coming in messages from the many people of Whidbey who tell us of their aloha for us.

Earlier this morning, I woke to catch up with our Hui `Aimalama Group Lecture (a private group event), that took place Wednesday evening on FB. I was exhausted that night, but checked in to say I'd be back when I could. Kalei Nu'uhiwa wrote, "Yep, yep. We await your thoughts." We are in recovery mode, operating with the spoons we do have. Diving back into this online interactive learning for Pacific Islanders focused on traditional practices to survive and thrive with climate change, I was re-charged. The give and take back and forward commentary is awesome current event making. It by-passes the risk taking that happened on the asphalt; confirms why heading home is so vital, now.

My immune system (Nene, the rare Hawaiian goose) says, "No this is not a test. Just rest." To read the medicine story that is writing itself through me click here.* I envision writing and drawing a comic book medicine story as part of the journey to create safe passage for us, and will keep you all updated as more unfolds.

We're getting closer to choosing a Crowdfunding platform, three of our supporters are helping with the story right now. xoxoxo Mahalo Joan, Kawika and Jude!!!

Aloha nui loa dear 'ohana near and far. We do so appreciate you. xoxoxo
Moki and Pete


*The link has been corrected:)

La'aukukahi

 Sun, clear skies in mid-afternoon

 Shadows around the Quonset

 Brackens makawalu to their fully extended selves

A perfect day for drying clothes and feeling the gentle breeze and smelling the sweet freshness of a La'aukukahi * day after early morning rains are pau.

*This link takes you to an exceptionally delightful and informing early days interview with Kalei Nu'uhiwa (Tsuha) the woman most respected for her work in re-invigorating the study and practice of Kaulana Mahina the Hawaiian Moon Calendar. I recommend reading the entire article written by Paul Wood. 

Becoming Mauliauhonua (a family intimate with their place)

O ka hua o ke kolea aia i Kahiki

The egg of the kolea is laid in a foreign land

— from Mary Kawena Pukui, ‘0lelo No’eau: Hawai‘ian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings, Bishop Museum Press 1983