Today begins my second month in Hawaii. It has been quite an adventure already. I arrived on this island without knowing exactly what to expect while hoping for the best. The last time I was in Hawaii, I was eight. In fact, I still have a scar on my left shin from racing my brother across a lava field to see who could get the closest to the slow flowing lava. I can't remember who won that race, but I am pretty sure that I am winning my own game by living here now!
For those that are not sure how I ended up here, I came to work at a naturopathic retreat center for three months (possibly longer). It was an unexpected turn of events, considering that I was confident in my plan to move to San Francisco in the fall of 2010. However, when the opportunity arose, it seemed perfect to move to Hawaii from Seattle, learn the ins-and-outs of running a retreat center, and bask in the awe inspiring nature of the island. I currently split my time between two locations: Keaau and Kapoho. Keaau is close to Hilo on the eastern side of Hawaii and only about 20 miles from the entrance to Volcano National Park, where Madame Pele is rumored to live. Kapoho is on the coast near surfing in Pohoiki and not too far from where the lava flows into the sea in Kalapana. Both are charming, relatively remote, and have very unique cultures surrounding them.
In general, nature dictates the general flow of life here. The chickens and birds begin singing in the morning at sunrise getting things started. The brightness of the sun instantly wakes anyone who cannot hear the calls of the animals. Then it is best to get things done in the morning before the day heats up. I usually spend my early mornings teaching yoga, leading meditations, and preparing fresh fruits for breakfast (coconut, liliko'i, papaya). This is followed by seeing patients or office work or helping out in the kitchen to prepare delicious raw meals. By noon, the day is warm and it is nice to cool off with a dip in the champagne ponds or a brief siesta in a hammock on the lanai after lunch. I usually spend my afternoons seeing patients before I sneak off to float in the warm ponds. As an afternoon treat, I have also been experimenting with making raw ice cream using fresh coconuts or other tropical fruits as a base. I think if I ever get tired of being a doctor, I am going to go into the non-dairy ice cream business! Overall, my day-to-day life is extremely blessed with great opportunities to practice as a physican and ways to grow and care for my self
The last thing I want to express is the palpable power of nature in this subtropical environment. Everywhere I turn I encounter some new natural wonder - this has be the most striking, and humbling, feature of Hawaii for me so far. There are sea turtles that hang out in the champagne ponds near my house; thermal ponds to float in that change temperature with the tides; coqui frogs that sing throughout the night; and so many varieties of local, fresh fruit that I started keeping a log just to keep them straight! I have been to forests growing out of the lava with tall canopies that give you the illusion of being submerged under the ocean. I hiked from the rim of the volcano's crater down to the ocean in the sun and back up under a full moon. I visited multiple breathtaking waterfalls with exquisite views and saw rainbows forming in their mist. There are banyan trees that are larger than houses and flowers the size of my head. If I seem to be gushing about the natural beauty of this island, well, can you blame me?!
I am doing my best to take advantage of all the experiences that this side of the island has to offer from hiking adventures to farmer's markets to the dollar movies and kava bars in downtown Hilo! I am grateful for all of your support and if you have any suggestions of things that you love in Hawaii, let me know because I am always looking for suggestions!
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