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!