Sunday 6 July 2008.
Happy birthday to my brother Richard in New Jersey. (I love New Jersey in the rear view mirror of my car!)

On the 23rd of June, our new WWOOFER, James arrived and promptly went to work the following day planting 41 pineapple starts. He told me he was ready for some hard work, so I handed him the mattocks (pick ax) and sent him to work on the fields along O'O'A'A road. This used to be a road that circled around sugar cane grass on either side. It has since been mowed and is now becoming a beautiful garden with numerous kinds of ginger and heliconia and now a bunch of pineapple! We'll keep you posted on what else develops with James from London England. He enjoys cleaning up the gardens of which we have many to keep him busy.

A follow up story on Hippie Hot Tom the Hawaiian monk seal at Kehena Beach. We'll he's a she and she's pregnant and we hope she'll give birth onto our beach. Well not quite sure if it's a land or water birth, but we'll figure that out in August if she stays around. But don't you worry about her because Naia Rae the dolphin lady is in control and keeping people safely away from the seal. That way Naia Rae can also take lots of pictures and then become the dolphin / seal lady of the beach!

Kelly has had a minor surgery this past Thursday and is home recuperating. Well, that's when he's not, not recuperating and doing some chores around the house. I'm happy to report that I'm working on my compassion levels. Those of you who know, I'm kinda like the rest of the guys in my family and have a hard time showing compassion. With Kelly being laid up, I'm trying my best to show compassion in action! What a fun experience to do something that is challenging to your being. Mahalo for everyone's thoughts, prayers, and white light shining on him!

So I think everyone's self help process for the coming weeks is to try to experience compassion in action to someone dear to you.

We are so thankful and grateful for family, friends and truly living our human lives here in Hawaii. A hui hou…………………….

What's News in Opihikao during this time of our lives!

We played with friends at Kehena Black Sands Beach on Monday, chowing down birthday goodies and drinking margaritas! The birthday boy wore a jade lei and had his own pet Hawaiian Monk Seal come hang out at the beach with us. The invite went out to HiPpIe Hot Tom the Monk seal months ago. We all watched and tried to discern if our visitor was male or female. If female was she pregnant? Was our friend sick or just hanging out on the beach resting in the hot sun. Regardless of it's sex, our Hawaiian Monk Seal was named because of markings that were on it's back. First time we saw it, our mind interpreted the design to read Tom. Well, looking at it from a different perspective, you could read Hot. Soon Hot Tom flipped over 'cause he / she wasn't quite ready to get into the ocean and the waves were on her / his derriere, and the letters HPI were seen, giving us the perfect name for our friend of the weekend, the beautiful Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal (only 1500 left!), HiPpIe Hot Tom! Mahalo friend for a beautiful day and `A O'E Pu' Our hearts go with you.

The farm has had a lot of weed trees, Milocia, Gundpowder, Albezias, removed to make room for the expanding fruit orchard and to give the existing 18 trees more sun. It's been a nice enlargement of the existing orchard space. We've also cleared land around the parking lot area to make room for a future Hawaii Music Festival to be held here.

Several new gardens have come to life as well recently, including Martins Gardens, complete with garden sign and bench! Looking forward to this garden. Mahalo nui loa to our SWWOOFER, Martin who worked here in May and left his mark on this farm and in our hearts too!. NOTE: SWWOOFER is a take on the World Wide Organization of Organic Farmers, WWOOFER program which brings us wonderful people from around the world to commune with us. The "S" addition is added with a huge smile of love for Martin!

Mahalo nui loa for the kind words of guests and friends.
Please enjoy their comments :

Cabin chatter:
Thank you so much for your warmth and hospitality. I find the 'Isle of You' one of the most tranquil and beautiful places I have ever been in the world. Your love and spirit are sown into the land and become one with the Hawaiian Spirit. ALOHA!

Paradise in the flesh. Great place, great hospitality. Love the Island and the freedom. Your farm is awesome, no need to leave to wander through natural rainforest; naturally. Terrific bananas and avocados. -Lynton

I drew a angel card during my stay that told me "Every day you are given endless opportunities to use your power to further the experience of the universe living free." You two are stewards of a place that helps each one of us reconnect with the truth of that angel card and that, consequently, helps further the experience of the universe. For that I thank both of you.. Blessings... -Bri

You guys are awesomely cool. Thanks for the splendid hospitality; beautiful flower arrangements, wonderful views, lovely naked guys. I wish I didn't have to leave. Oh, if I could I'd plant myself into a tree here and sprout flowers. -Dan

Thank you both for tending to such an incredible garden. You and this place have filled me with joy, the joy that I need to continue my journey. -Joseph

We've been married 33 years and this has been one of our more memorable adventures. The quiet and solitude of the last couple of days has allowed us to renew our love and commitment to each other. -Ron and Mary

I just can't believe this place is real. You both are descendants of an ancient race. Mahalo! -W.J.

When sitting, just sit;
When standing, just stand;
When spinning, don't wobble.
-Dora

Click here: Gay Getaways: The New Wave - New York Times

Place: Palace Theater, 38 Haili Street in Downtown Hilo

The Palace Theater is pleased to offer a brand new cultural program, live on stage every Wednesday morning 10:30 - 11:15 throughout this year.

Under the direction of Leilehua Yuen with film direction by Clay Callaway, this new program will be both educational and entertaining as features live hula, the historic pipe organ, short films, commentary, and a segment with audience participation and interaction. As a downtown activity, it's the perfect 'new thing to do' for you, your family, guests, or for visitors. (There will be a rotating series of shows, the first of which is called "Hilo, My Home Town")

Tickets are $5. Children 12 and under are free. Special Kama'aina group rates will be made available.For more information please call 808.934.7010, or visit the website http://www.hilopalace.com/Main/.