Aloha,
It has been a very wet and windy winter and spring this year on Maui. The mountain grasses are taller than I have seen in many years. My yard and fruit trees are flowering and getting ready for a bumper yield. All the avocado trees Upcountry are completely covered in blossoms and my mangoes are growing larger by the week.
We are so fortunate that our reservoirs are now full to the top. Regardless of the extra work and hassles of rain and mud, there is something very reassuring about the abundance of water. I keep envisioning the aquafir increasing the fresh water level as all this sweet rain filters through the porous lava rock.
I don't know if there is a more beautiful time of year to visit Hawaii. The glorious Jacaranda trees are starting to bloom. The harbinger of Spring, one very large purple blossom covered tree, is now in it's full glory. This particular tree on the Lower Kula Highway, is larger than most, blooms earlier than all, and stays in bloom longer as well. The purple highway is still a few weeks away from wowing all those who are lucky enough to drive our beautiful stretch of upcountry Maui. Before long, the road will be lined with blooming Jacaranda. Even our local residents like to roll Upcountry this time of year for a view of the emerald green pastures dotted with bright purple trees.
This weekend was one of my favorite events in Haiku, the 21st Annual Haiku Ho'olaule'a Flower Festival.This is a very well attended event with visitors and kama'aina happy to spend a day with ohana and friends sharing some good outdoor fun.
Despite the occasional showers, everyone was enjoying the Keiki performances and foot stomping local bands. Home style nurseries, flower and vegies growers displayed their wares in attractive booths. Today I purchased a few unusual Antherium blossoms, hand painted greeting cards, and some unique, affordable locally made jewelery
If you want to experience the lushness of nature , the sweet scent of flowers and some locally grown ono food, come visit Maui during our quiet season. Off season travel is so relaxing. It's easy to park in town and at the beach, the sunsets are vibrant and our island home is a happy place to be.
Aloha, a hui hou,
Cherie
Maui's Keiki need our support!!
I have been moved to tears on a few occasions listening to the wonderfully grown young men and women of Maui who were At-Risk Kids and grew up to THRIVE due to the support, help and love from the Maui Boys and Girls Club.
If you are on Facebook, please, please take a minute to vote for the Maui Boys and Girls Club. We are so close to winning the $25,000. Charity Challenge on behalf of my Real Estate Company, Windermere Valley Isle Properties.
We have today and the half of tomorrow to pull this off. We
are behind because of a huge push from the California group. We exploded
in the last few days and we need to
double up our efforts for a few more hours (OK 30 more). Please vote and
share with all your friends. This young girl and 5,000 others like her
are the ones who benefit. It only takes 30 seconds. Mahalo!
Sometimes, we are fortunate enough to experience an uncomplicated devoted, unwavering, love.
This quality of love, in the form of a goofy faced little mutt named Annie, brought happiness to many.
Six years ago, I received a call from a neighbor who worked at the local vet. He told me, " I made an appointment for you to meet your new dog," In disbelief at his bold move, I retorted, "What!!?" He went on to explain why I needed to keep this appointment with destiny.
There she was with a terrier face, long eyebrows and ear hair, quite the underbite, and a shaved little greyhound body and stilts for legs.
When we met, she started racing around the yard, dodging obstacles like a pro on an agility course. I was tickled at how much fun she was having. She clearly needed space to move, and my yard had it.
I agreed to keep her, hoping it was not a crazy mistake. Annie, it turned out, was scared of everybody, except me. Like so many other rescue dogs, her trust in humans had to be restored. I figured a bed and breakfast where all the guests miss their own pets would make a good home with lots of loving attention. I instructed guests to turn their hands up when wanting to pet her, to be slow and get a bit closer to her level. In time, she allowed others close to her. When responding with trust
to someone, she would turn sideways to their legs and give a slight
lean in their direction.
She often hid between my legs and became my shadow. If she could not physically follow me, her eyes did, she never let me out of her sight. I would see her stand on two legs, turning circles with her nose in the air trying to catch my scent.
Because she was a runner, going for hikes and adventures was her favorite. When my friends arrived, she would start talking to me while doing an excited sideways shuffle...."look who's, here, look who's here!!......let's go, hurry up, there are trails and beaches out there, I NEED TO RUN, , don't forget my ball...I'll wait in the car, come on, LET'S GO!!"
As her enthusiasm for adventure and interaction grew to a level that made my heart sing, I witnessed some touching relationships form. People loved her, she loved them. It was a circle of puro amor, simply love. She gracefully taught herself to contain the joy so her human friends could share it with her. She would sit, barely hovering, physically vibrating waiting until the right moment to unleash, then she would start the wiggle so her whole body wagged, not just her tail.
Annie was the gate keeper, the front line, nobody could sneak by Annie, nor would they want to. She would show off her favorite toy, prance around, and maybe try to engage a game of "You Can't Catch Me".
On her last day, Sunday, she jumped into my lap. With her long pointy legs, her snuggling was akin to snuggling with a fawn...cozy? ....not really, unique, yes. Sunday morning, she melted into to me, she leaned in with such trust, such calm stillness, I found myself thinking...".This is sweet, this is interesting, this is love." ..... pure and simple.
Her trust healed my heart, and I will miss her.
Cherie
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