Mahalo ke akua: Blessed to live in Hawaii
Aloha to my Hawaiian Ohana, and Mahalo to my Mainland ohana!
I have returned to the beloved ‘aina’ I call my home; Give thanks Hawaii. There is something so special to be said for leaving the hawaiian Islands and then returning………your appreciation for this lush green and blue tropical paradise grows stronger. I flew in feeling the warmth of the islands, lilterally pealing off the layers as i started sweating under all the clothing, but more intimately I found a rich warmth in my heart. I can only try to describe how connected I feel to hawaii. Upon landing I was taken to a place of my childhood, that simple, care free feeling of just being stoked on life. I remembered all these times of playing in the ocean, hiking through the forest (so grateful we do NOT have Poison Oak here), thoughts of ‘May Day’ and the beautiful Hawaiian hula we learned as children with the abundance of fragrant flowers we were drapped with! I then began thinking of the old hawaii, ahupua’a kine, from the Mountain to the Ocean. Before all the choas, of planes, cars, buildings, technology…… Monsanto! The simple ‘aina’ life was all that was known. I appreciate knowing it doesn’t have to be complicated. There is an endless flow of rich ‘mana’ that we all have the ability to connect with, no matter race, color, or religion. It doesn’t even matter where we are, the land will provide. Its about learning how to establish a connection, a deeper understanding of the natural movement of your surroundings and becoming part of that. Often our new age ways take us in the opposite direction. Take time to understand and contemplate your surroundings and you’ll find your richer than you might think. This is how I feel coming back to Hawaii, a rich king with pennies in my pocket and a vision of endless potential. Hawaii can be such a stepping stone example of sustainable living just as it was in the days of old Hawaii. When we look back, we can see the example was already set. Take me back to da kine! Upon my return I am filled with love for this land! I will spend my days here setting a positive example of getting back to the aloha aina roots, and I’ll use my gift of song to share growth and wisdom with the World.
- Observing and soaking up the beauty of the Northwest.
I came back to my house in Kaneohe to hear about hail and tornados. I found my plants battered by the weather. Wow……mama nature never ceases to amaze me. In Oregon, we saw rain, hail, snow, and sunshine all in the same day, while driving. It’s always a guessing game with the natural flow of nature . As we watch, we must bow down to whatever we are blessed with and give thanks for what we are witnessing. It’s beautiful to see the natural flow with no interuption. The weather definitely keeps it interesting. You can never be bored or tired of nature, for there’s far too much going on. We can learn so much when we pay attention and appreciate natures flow. Observing this natural flow is helping me to become more aware of my internal weather patterns. We are humans with feelings and emotions. Don’t hide them! Let them out, like the pure release of a torential down pour or the serenity of a sunrise over glassy water. Finding peace through any type of weather is often our greatest challenge. I am present, Breathe and I am bathed in my ability to feel. How blessed we are to have the opportunity for freedom of expression! Express Yourself!
Kelly and I at Multnomah Falls. This was a beautiful part of our Oregon Trail travel.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have expressed myself on the west coast. Kelly and I drove 2600 miles in about a months time. We were hippies undercover driving a deluxe 2004 dodge mini-van. Our volkswagon Vanagon connection fell through, so we found a place in San Fran, (thanks to my mama), that rents awesome vans for affordable prices with custom beds and storage space built in. If your going to be roadtripping in the northwest I highly recommend checking out the company Lost Campers, our Ozzy friend Nick will take good care of you!
Jammin at Steamers Lane, Santa Cruz, with some good bredrens from the local band Ancestree.
During this time I played about 4 solo shows and about 20 open mics. I saw so much raw talent and so many types of music………music truly is the universal language. No matter where I was I could communicate through my music. I’d walk in a place not knowing anyone. When I share my heart through song, I instantly have a community of friends. Music is vibration. When we’re all vibrating on a a similar wave length, it is so much easier to communicate. I feel that a good musician sets the vibe so that everyone in the room feels like family! I am So Grateful for Creative Expression.
We stayed with old friends, new friends, and made the best of every oportunity to explore the beautiful coast line of northern California and Oregon. If you have yet to see the Redwood forests, especially the old growth on what they call the ‘Avenue of the Giants’, I highly suggest treating your senses to such a beautiful experience. 1000 year old trees…….ancient wisdom standing before your eyes. Some trees you can actually stand inside, its amazing!
I'm in a tree!
SO much to be said for traveling; always new things to see and people who become life long friends, wisdom around every corner. Light and darkeness…. it’s an untold mystery…….that’s why its so much FUN!!. Things always fall into place and it becomes apparent that we are truly manifestors of our own destiny. This action led me to this place where I met this person who led me here………..and the journey keeps flowing, just like that.
Every time I leave the Islands I am reminded of an important componant in our lives…………….Balance. We are lives in the balance. Upon returning, I am looking to find a balance between being a “roots mon”(a man of the land who consciously works on the inner-self and spiritual growth) and a ‘Tech mon’ (a man using and looking after all my high tech gadgets that get me from here to there and provide instant connection with the outside world). Remember to stay in touch with the ‘roots mon’ side because the ‘tech mon’ side is becoming easier and easier and that much more distracting………..BALANCE…………. and with that being said I am going to close my high tech gadget and find some stillness before sleepy time, much love and light to all of you. Feeling blessed to have this website to share my adventures. Also I got some new songs out of this trip so stay tuned.
Aloha, Paul
Comments
awesome!
Big up Roots MON!! Love – share – expression
This is the song you played during Yoga that one day, and I was trying to describe it to you! This is my favorite song you have created, when the recording drops, please let me know.
Cannot wait to see what else you come up with, i really enjoyed it!