After a thunderstorm to end all thunderstorms last night, the rumbles shaking the house and the lightening illuminating the landscape, we woke up to snow on the summit of Haleakala (please excuse my iPhone Mini 13 struggling with the distance of the shot).
It is sounding right now as though the south side of the island might have got it worse than the north. Huge power outages and trees down.
I am not long home from my weekly sit with my men’s group. I’ve said it before on this blog, but I am grateful for these men.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
A couple of nights ago we had not long turned out the lights and were dozing off when both my wife and I heard a thump sound outside. We had no idea what it was or where exactly it came from. My first thought was someone snooping around the house, something that thankfully has never happened and so my mind let go of the idea straight away, …but that reason also did not allow me dismiss that there might be someone outside!
I went to visit The Bunker this morning to see if there was any new art. Sadly not. Instead though, the view towards the West Maui Mountains took my breath away. The air was so clear and with that the Mountains were in sharp relief, etched against the deep blue colour of the sky.
In addition to the clear air, another swell has arrived on the North Shore. Not as large as the waves from a couple of weeks ago, but impressive nonetheless.
I thought that the Trade Winds had returned, but with aircraft still landing over the ocean, it means that we are still experiencing Kona winds, southwest winds.
The usual landing pattern in Trade Winds is to approach over the island, north to south. This video taken a couple of days ago shows a Hawaiian Airlines flight coming in over the ocean, north to south, due to the Kona winds.
The windless days and nights that cast a spell over the island have now left us and the Trade winds have returned, keeping our days cooler…thankfully. However, we took advantage of the lack of wind and sat around our fire pit a couple of nights ago.
For the Pacific Wave Appreciation Society, while this video doesn’t show it clearly, the ocean was a dark blue today and glassy calm. And the these big waves broke out of that stillness. Beautiful.
Sunday, January 5, 2025
I can remember being there when this photograph was taken, though I don’t know exactly where there was or who took the photo? I wasn’t even aware of it being taken. I was given a copy much later by a friend who I was traveling with and who took the picture.
Sunday, January 5, 2025
All credit to the artist(s) 🎨
There is an entrance around the back of the Bunker that lets one peer inside. It is possible to go inside, but that involves climbing over a railing, and for now I decided to make do with looking in.
A VOGgy (Volcanic fog) sunset. The magic in the air from earlier this morning has stayed with us. Having said that, being upcountry I would imagine it being a lot thicker and more uncomfortable to be in.
🧙♂️ There’s a magic in the air this morning. There is not a breath of wind. The air is cool, with the rising sun making little difference as it sits behind whispy, mist like clouds. All is still. A distant hum of a lawn mower accompanies the bird song. Nothing else. Just the magic.
A monk seal sleeping at Ho’okipa this evening, while surfers slip pass her/him. We’d gone there to have a picnic at sunset. It was a beautiful evening with not a breath of wind.
There was a volunteer on hand to make sure that people kept their distance from the seal. She was there until after sunset.
For the Hello Kitty fans out there.
Friday, January 3, 2025
All credit to the artist(s) 🎨
Last night I was happy to find this photograph of the Bunker from a few years back. Yet another capture of this small building to fill in its changing faces.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
While I have known others to do so and have read about others’ processes for finding theirs, I have never had a word that can inform me and be a beacon as I move through a year. The idea of having a word has sparked a curiosity in me, but finding that word has never come naturally to me, and I have not given myself time to the processes that people have used in finding their word and have kindly shared with me.
I think simply because I do not see many whales breaching on the north shore, I was surprised but happy to see just that while sitting on a north shore beach early yesterday afternoon. Just looking up at the right moment, we saw the whale. A couple next to us, deep in conversation, missed it. A sweet start to the year.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
All credit to the artist(s) 🎨
The first Bunker mural for 2025 with two views of The Bunker.
This morning’s rainbow. The first of the New Year 🌈
Finished reading: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.
I’m still sitting with this one. It packed a strong emotional punch.📚
The last rainbow of the year🌈 …
… as the sun sets on 2024.
