A Child’s Mind

Posted on March 8, 2014 by dakine

It was very good weather when we sprayed the first round of BotanicGardES. Then we had a couple of nice rainy days, the ground was nice wet. The night before we threw fertilizer, it was very windy, shook the rain drop from coffee trees. Next day, the weather was perfect for us. After we took care of the half of the farm, we were not really tired, so we kept going, tried to finish the whole farm. We were short of a couple bags fertilizer, Terry got next day and finished the job.

On our local news paper, the CBB reserch article recommend that spray three times on the first month after coffee season, it’s the most important time to do it. We saw more and more small flower buds show up, better spray again before it bloom. We sprayed second round of BotanicGardES last week, this time we divided the farm to 4 portions, took 4 afternoon to finish the job. It was easier than last time, as a team, we were better than last time. Terry trimed a few fruit trees when I sprayed.

On the days when we sprayed, we waited Sonny come back from school before we started. We told him, we had to work together and it would be late when we done. He had to take care himself and do all the things he is supposed to do.

He was very good, very responsible. Usually it’s 7pm when we got back to the house. He did his homework, on-line reading practice, shower, practice piano, and feed himself. He said, he was a very good boy, he should be rewarded. We let him watch a video, as only weekends are his watching days.

Terry and I talked before about having Sonny do some farm work with us. We both don’t really want to force him to do a lot, we just want him to be around, help with the work as much as he can. We fantasize, he saw us working on the farm, it will help him to understand and appreciate other people’s work.

One day, we came back from spray. First thing he said to me was, “Mom, I think you did a very good job.”

Sonny got into reading “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series last year, it combined writing and drawing. I told him, he could write his own diary like that. Terry bought a journal for him as a new year gift, but he didn’t use it for a while.

One evening, I asked him to write his first diary, so he could waiting for me when I was practicing a song on the piano. So he did, and put a bit of time to draw and write; at the end, he read it to me. It was not a long one, ended with “I will introduce myself to the world to show my love and respect”. It’s quite serious words, I asked him where he got the idea to write like this, from school or from book. He said,”It just come to my mind.”

I tried to explain to him, what he can write on his diary. Things happen in his daily life, or his thoughts. See, my explanation didn’t go very far, it was all right for him to write some of his thoughts.

He is not really into writing diary yet, but he sure does use his brain to think. I checked his journal, he only wrote four times, each time include his thoughts.

“If you don’t give happiness, you don’t show respect to yourself.”

“I will respect the world and other cultures.”

“With someone you like or love, what matters about them is not on the outside, but in the inside.”

It was very interesting to watch a child grow in front of your eyes. We are so fortunate with our simple life as farmers, have time and be able to observe his changing, physical and mental. Look back of his school years since Kindergarten, we saw his personality and character growing gradually each year. Hope he will never lose his silliness and happiness, no matter who he is going to be, or what job he will do.

Here is another story about him. One morning before he went to school, we were talking about his reading group. He told us, there were three reading groups in his class, each group with different reading teacher. Terry and I both thought, they must divided by their reading level. So we asked him which group was the better readers ( As parents, we are so easy fall into comparison).

He didn’t think the way like we do. Seriously he said: ” There is no competition, we are all good readers.”

Terry and I talked about it after he went to school, he surprised us with his answer. He definitely gave us a lesson, we need to remember all the time, to stop compare him with other kids. All the kids are special and unique in their own way, all we can do is let them know it and happy to be themselves.

End of Coffee Season

Posted on February 15, 2014 by dakine

This coffee season is over,now we can slow down with farm work, and enjoy our relaxing time in Hawaii.

There were always different stories with each year’s crop, picking crew, pruning crew. Doesn’t matter what the story was, we always got through harvest season at the end.

We had a small crop this year, 6 picking rounds and most were small. We bought some coffee cherry from our neighbor, an organic farm, we’ll be able to offer this new item to our customer. Our picking crew picked the last round right around new year, the upper section of our farm was done. So Terry and I started pruning, Sonny helped dragging branches to road side (he just did two day during his winter break), we hired a man to chop the branches.

Then we waited our picking crew to strip the trees ( picking off all the beans from the tree ); meantime, I found one guy who was willing to do this job, we paid him by the hour. I worked with the man, Terry pruned right after we cleaned out some area. Later on, two pickers came, finished picking the rest of farm.

Terry didn’t want to think of pruning the rest of farm by ourselves, he’s been doing this for so many years, he is tired of pruning. But I really wanted to do it ourselves, or even by myself. Past few years, whoever we hired to prune seems left too many big old branches behind, some area was so bad, it’s very hard to pick.

We hired the same guy to chop, I did the most pruning, Terry did some pruning and some chopping. This Tuesday we finished the job, the whole farm is clean now.

Next, we need to spray BotaniGardES, this is the best and most efficient time to kill CBB. We hired someone to spray past few years, the spray machine was too heavy for both of us, it weight about 60 pounds after fill up the tank. The man came to spray around 10am whenever he had time, but sunny day or rainy day are not good time to spray. It was almost impossible to have the man to spray at perfect weather condition. We didn’t have many choices, just glade that someone was doing the job.

From the article of CBB research, the most important thing about spray BotaniGardES is the perfect weather condition. The best time is after 3 or 4pm, cloudy, no rain; before or after coffee flower bloom. It left very small window opportunity to spray, very hard to get someone to do 3,4 hours work at this late time of a day. If we want to get CBB under control, we have to do it ourselves.

Terry bought a smaller size spray machine, the engine weight 12 pounds, the tank can hold about 3 gallon of liquid. I was very enthusiasm of using the sprayer, I wanted get the job done before the coffee flower bloom.

On this Wednesday, Terry loaded up all the materials in the truck, mixed the formulas and hauled to the field as close as could be, filled up the tank for me; I sprayed. He set out CBB traps while I was spraying. It only took 3 minutes the refill the tank,14 tanks I sprayed, and we took 4 hours to cover about half of our farm. Terry asked me to quit a couple of times ( he was worrying about me ), It was dark when we finished, I felt OK, not too bad. Next day, we started a little earlier, quit before getting dark. My shoulders were very sore after 5 tanks, at the end, I let Terry sprayed once so I could take a break. We did two more hours yesterday to finish the job, now we are relived that we did the work at right time. We did our part of work, let the nature do its part to the farm.

Terry already bought fertilizer, unloaded them at several spots in the farm, waiting for next good raining day.

Right after new year, we had a week with stormy windy weather, clouds were very interesting and beautiful at sun set time, sun light lit on the constant changing clouds, seems brought them to alive. It conducted a silent symphony I couldn’t hear, but I saw and felt the power of moving changing force, through the colors the sun light painted on the sky.

Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2014 by dakine

Christmas was great for Sonny, he got 18 presents, two more arrived in the afternoon, one from uncle Jim and another from aunt Jeanette.

New year is coming up. Terry and I are both terrible with holiday greeting cards, even we don’t send holiday cards, but we always keep good thoughts and wishes for our families and friends. We’ve been married for 10 years, these 10 years seem very short, time fly so fast when our life is full and content.

I hit 40 this year. I did not know, for a woman, you could feel so good at this age. I’ve never felt like this in my 20’s or 30’s.

In my 20’s, I just step out from school, from home into the world, worked through different jobs, followed some sparking lights came to me, wished it would lead me to a good future. I tried as good as I could, I was living in the future.

When I was 30, married to Terry who I love. It was a big transition to me. I left everything and everybody I’ve known behind, moved to a new place, tried to adapt the things surrounding me. We were trying to understand and communicate with each other in better ways, learning to live together, like any other newly married couples. I was happy, but not hundred percent sure that this was the life I was looking for.

Today, I’m living in the life I could never have imagined before, a life meant to be mine. I believe a person has many sides of him or her; some sides of them hid away, some find it, some never do. Most people are not aware what kind of person they are in other people’s eyes, they can’t see themselves as other people see them. I’m not exception either on this. From time to time, through many things happened to our life, Terry saw the person inside of me, and told me his point of view. It definitely help me to see inner side of me, accept who I am, make me a even better and stronger person. Even with more white hairs I found on my head, I wouldn’t trade 10 years younger life with the life I’ve got right now. I’m living in the present, in peace, enjoying the happiness.

For all the above reasons, I decided to make a picture slideshow, to share with everyone. My original plan was using this year’s photos, then I found I don’t have enough good photos. So I decided to use some old pictures, and some of our friends and families’ pictures too. We don’t have everyone’s photo, who we know and love; besides, it’s impossible to include everyone in this 3 minutes slideshow.

Some of Terry’s friends on the slideshow pasted away several years ago, our friend Jack and brother Ken just pasted away this year. I included their photos, because they were sparking lights of our life, their lights will always shine in our hearts.

To be good friends, it’s not necessary to see each other every week, or talk to each other every day. Some friends you haven’t seen or talked for many years, but whenever or wherever you meet again, you definitely delight to see each other. Picking up the conversation right away, exchange news of each others life. Time of together is wonderful, when the time come, to go separate way, you both will move on. The friendship between you two will stay with you, go wherever you go, until you meet again. The true friendship can not be separate by distance, the pure friendship will never fade away in time, it’s timeless thing.

Last 10 years, Terry helped me to look at things in different point of view, opened my mind to embrace new things and new ideas. The biggest change in me and I recognize, is my ability to love. To people around me, less judgement, more love. I always can find good sides of people who around us, love their passion to different things, love the way of their living, love their unique personality, love their difference from other, love them just to be themselves.

We all like music, Terry prefer jazz, Sonny like piano music, I like different kind of music. There are so many great music artists out there, and I don’t know many of them. But when I find a good song or music, it can make my heart sing; it make me so happy, I have to give Terry a hug or kiss to express my happy mood. We are so lucky, living in a time, have access to so many music.

James Blunts has been a successful song writer and singer for many years. I just discovered his music this year, and fall in love with it; Sonny and I listen to his music a lot. Before his new album “Moon Landing” came out this November, his team had sent emails to people like his music, had shared some of his new songs. Sonny and I watched his video of “Bonfire Heart” and “Satellites” many many times, I pr-ordered this album and love it. I used his “Bonfire Heart” for the slideshow, the lyric could be for anyone.

To me, the person you love is the spark light of your bonfire heart, not the only one. There are so many spark lights around us, white clouds in blue sky, twinkle stars over our head, ocean, mountain, giant tree, tiny wild flower, even your cuddling cat, or a beautiful song, can be spark light of our daily life. See the beauty of everything around us, love what we have in front of us, it will lead us onto a good road, toward the happiness of life.

Wish you enjoy the music and the picture.

Love to everyone

Tropical Flowers For Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2013 by dakine

Sheila has a flower farm in the neighborhood, she invited 9 girlfriends for flower arrangement party on last Saturday.

Last Friday was flower harvesting day, I had to take Sonny to dental appointment in the morning, Terry went to help picking flower. Later I came back and took his place. There were only 4 people picking flower, other ladies couldn’t come.

By noon, we took a break from picking, started washing these flowers. There were two big wood rectangle box, one filled with soaping water, another with fresh water. Soaping water is not only for cleaning flowers, but also for getting rid of bugs. It really took some time to wash these flowers, after I done some washing, I will be much pickier next time when I harvest flower.

It was around 5pm, we thought we don’t have enough flower, so Jessi and I went out with her car again, loaded up the trunk as fast as we could. It was getting dark when I walked home, the air was cool and I had a long day.

Next day, every one brought some food to share, and enough flowers for every one to make 4, 5 arrangements. It was so fun to play with beautiful flowers, plus food, music and friends. Check out some of our arrangements.

A Dream

Posted on November 25, 2013 by dakine

I felt low yesterday in the morning, didn’t have much patience with Sonny. The gloom mood just sank into my body, I felt it spread to every corner of me and couldn’t do anything to stop it.

I told Terry, “I’m not happy today.” He asked:” Any reason?” “No reasons, it’s just one of those low spirit days. Give me some time, time will cure it.” Terry told Sonny to listen to me without argument, make the day easy for me.

Sonny and I went to beach, Terry stayed home, baked some bread and watched football game.

When we arrived at beach, some of our friends already there, sat in the shade under the tree. It was a clear sunny day, mellow water. I talked with our friends for a little while, when the ocean built up some waves, I jumped into the ocean, played 2 hours.The low feeling descended from me, I actually had some fun, caught some good waves.

Later two lady friends came with their kids and grand-kids, we sat together talking and watching the kids playing. It was the kind of the day, you don’t want to do anything, just hang out with friends, let the time slip by. That was exactly I need, I felt better and comfortable slowly. I could stay there all day, watch the endless waves the ocean conducted.

It was 3pm when we got home, Terry cooked spaghetti for lunch.

I woke up from my dream last night, I saw my elder sister who past away 9 years ago. This was my dream, the feeling and thoughts I had in my dream.

I’m walking with a girl on the winding road along the Mekong River, from my home town city to another small town. She is not my younger sister, but a friend, a blurred figure don’t match with any of my friends in my real life.

We see a friend and his girlfriend standing with their bikes on the road side, facing to the river, looking out. My friend think, the man had a girlfriend too soon after his wife died not long ago. I tell her, life is too short, he should continue enjoy his life if that make him happy.

We keep walking along downward of the river, half way of our journey, there is a village or resident area by the road. We get inside a building, not a temple, but feel like a temple without any statues. Like an exhibition, displaying many things in the room; I look around there like a tourist.
My friend is leaving for a place, will meet me there later.( I know where she is going, but don’t really know what this place is. ) There is a group of people standing at a corner in the room. They are not dressed like monks, but feels like monks who take care of this place. My friend offer, not ask, to take something from this room to the place she is going (There are more than one things need to be sent to this one place); the care takers grant her. She is gone.
I see a three level wood shelf, with beautiful flower pots on it. 4,5 dolls in yellow golden dresses stand in front of the shelf, about half meter height. I walk up to have a good look; startled by the two dolls in front, they are alive little girls, looks like 4, 5 years old with rather too small body.

Then I start taking pictures of these flowers on the shelf, my brother-in-law come in, pull out one of Lucky Bamboo (Ribbon Dracaena) from its pot. I say:” Why do you do that ? You will upset my elder sister. ”
I turn around, see my sister right behind me, I give her a hug right away, tell her ” I love you” . She say:” I love you too, so much, I drank the whole can orange juice you brought to me.” I realize she is much shorter than me, then I notice, she is on her knees. (She is a big person, it might be too big effort for her to stand.) I know she suffers a lot with her health problem, I can feel that she want to give it up. There are so many things in my mind, so many things I want to say to her. But no more words come out from me, I’m crying on her shoulder.

My own crying woke me up from the dream, some of the detail scenes fainted away by seconds. I held on tight to the feeling of our hug, it was a solid, full, flesh, squeeze hug. It was so good and so real, I had never hugged her in this way in my life. I said ” I love you” in English, she spoke to me in English too. I kept my eyes close, hoped to get back to the dream where I left (sometimes it works). Instead, the emotion took over of me, I cried, let the tears flow. Mean while, I tried to be quiet, not to wake up Sonny and Terry.

I couldn’t back to sleep, just lied there, some memories of her came back to me. I missed her so much, wished I had talked to her more often and had helped her more when she was alive.

Before she past away, she fainted several times, my mom worried and went to her house, lived with her family for a couple of weeks. I called her house, talked to mom and her many times. At that time, I was pregnant and found out I would have a baby boy. I shared my news with them, she was happy for me. She didn’t get a chance to meet Sonny, but she knew I would have a child, I would become a mother.

Since she past away, she has came into my dream a few times, we had some amazing conversations, communications in the dream linked my world with her world. There is nothing we can do to change the life of our past, except keep the memories of the ones we love in our heart , until one day we leave this world ourselves.

I laughed when I was happy; cried when I was sad; climbed to the top of mountain if my optimistic took me; sank to the bottom of the river when the depression tied me up; experienced all feelings as a human being. I know, I will experience all these feelings from time to time, laughing and crying again and again. I cherish those happy or sad moments, even the pain of losing love ones; it made up my whole life, became part of me, through those moments, showed me who I am. An alive person, living and experiencing through this life time.

Helping Hands

Posted on November 22, 2013 by dakine

It’s November, we are right in middle of coffee season. We picked 4 rounds now, they were all small rounds, it seems to be a small crop year. A friend called from Canada today, just like he said, sometimes it had nothing to do with how you worked on the farm, it’s the climate or mother nature doing her thing, to decide what this year’s crop going to be.

We used our new pulping equipment, it works very well, we are very happy with it.

Last month two French girls stayed with us, picked coffee for us in exchange for their accommodation. They’re both 20 years old, working along as they travel. I was amazed how good workers they are , independent, organize, hard working young girls.

First day picking, they picked as much as Terry and I, picked as long time as we did. Next morning, when I was cleaning up kitchen after breakfast around 7am, they were already out in the field picking coffee. At the end of the day, I cooked supper, they washed dishes after the dinner, wouldn’t let me do it.

It was a new experience for us, we have a pretty private life, very seldom we have guests stay with us for a month, especially people we never meet. Terry was worry about, how could I handle it, how would I like it. They are such wonderful and interesting young girls, it was my first time meet somebody like them, I enjoyed their time with us. But Sonny was the one who enjoyed their time the most, he is always excited when we have guests; if the guest stay with us, he is in heaven.

Second night Sonny moved into their room. Next morning I found out that Lauri slept on coffee deck. Jo and Sonny were reading, talking and playing games on Jo’s I Pad, Lauri was playing ukulele on the deck; later, when she went to bed, found the two took the whole bed, she found some blankets and slept on the deck. I asked them again, did they mind Sonny sleep in their room, he doesn’t always get his way. They didn’t mind, so I put mattress on the floor in their room, made a small bed for him, he was a happy camper.

One night, before I went to bed, I went to their room to check, saw Jo and Sonny lie in the bed, Sonny was reading his book and Jo was using her I Pad. Just like what we usually do at our bed time, quiet and content, happy to be together.

Because of Lauri and Jo, Sonny wanted to hang around with them, he actually picked coffee next to them. He is a chat box, he talked a lot at beginning, hours went by, he ran out of story, he started singing. I was picking a little away from them, but I could hear his made up military song, it was so funny. I couldn’t help to laugh out loud, and happy that he found a way to amuse himself. I heard Jo and Laurie laughed out loud too, and pretty sure they were laughing at him; he kept going on, didn’t even notice, just be himself.

I told him that he had to pick at least one basket, about 20lb; then he would understand how we have to work, to have the life we are live in. First time he picked one basket, I wasn’t quite believe it; I asked Lauri when she was alone, did he cheat, took some coffee from her basket ( he always does that when he picks next to me ). She told me, he did pick the coffee himself, she only gave him 3,4 beans a few times to award him when he was being good.

Second time, he wanted to hang around with them, didn’t want to do the job. I told him, if he picked one basket before lunch, he could stay home watch TV instead come back picking coffee after lunch. He complained a lot, but kept picking, I saved low branches with loaded ripe cherry for him, so he could fill up the basket faster. From 8am to 12 o’clock, it was a long hours job for a 8 years old boy; I was glad he filled up his basket, so I wouldn’t be in the position, that I had to play as a bad harsh mom, or a soft mom couldn’t keep her own words.

It was a very special month for him, they were like two big sisters in the house. When he practiced piano, he wanted them watching him, or he wanted play for them; with his fast speed, not even close to be beautiful music. Sometimes, when he was doing his homework, Jo liked to help him. He even proudly told us, he could belly fart on both of them and they could belly fart on him, which is our family game. Except when he got into his war stories or war pictures, they didn’t have interest and bore them for sure, they seems enjoyed some of his companion time too.

One month was too short, they wanted coming back in the future. Now they are in Australia, one year adventure there. They are having a such different youth, interesting, exciting and colorful, compare it with mine. Not only the passport they hold give them easy access to foreign countries, but also their courage and attitude is the key opens any door in front of them on the path. They are like fish back into ocean, a world they belong to, a world made for them. They said they are young girls with freedom, no marriage or child tie them down, they can almost go wherever they want to. To me, they are on the top of the world, their youth are priceless; they are lucky, because not every young people in this world have the same opportunity like they do.

This is the life, I never imagined when I was twenty; I’m glad to meet them, get to know their different life to be young, have a great time and wonderful experience in their young life.

Miss Kona Coffee 2014

Posted on November 13, 2013 by dakine

40 years ago, Terry just arrived at the island, Wilma is his friend who lived on Oahu; she took Terry to a party, and Terry met Tod and Babara, Babara was very pregnant with Keahi. Ever since then, they’ve been very close friends.

Later on, Keahi has her first child, Jeanne; Terry is honored to be her godfather. He visited them more often, when Jeanne was little older, she could spend sometimes with Terry on the farm.

At coffee season, if Jeanna stayed on the farm, a fun game was jumping on the coffee pile. Found some old pictures, some good moments of Jeanne had on the farm.

Look at these old pictures, all we can see is that she is a happy little girl. Nobody knew, one day this little girl would become Miss Kona Coffee.

Jeanne started her dancing lessons from very young age, grandma drove her to lessons, practice every week. She’s very talented dancer, she does ballet, hula and contemporary dance. She was May Day Queen last year when she graduated from high school, that means she need to perform a hula dance.

When we found out, Jeanne is one of nine contestants for Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant for 2014, we are so happy for her. We joined her family to cheer her up at the event. What a privilege we had, to watch this beautiful young girl with tears on her face, crowned to be Miss Kona Coffee. We are so proud of her, she was rewarded after all these years practice.

When Terry’s coffee won the first place at cupping contest, Jeanne was 3 years old; 16 years later, she become Miss Kona Coffee. What a life, spinning and weaving with a thread named Kona Coffee. From our deep hearts wish that Jeanne will have good time in this yearlong journey with new life experiences.

Camping at Beach

Posted on September 20, 2013 by dakine

Last weekend we camped at Ho’okena beach with friends. Ipo and Kollete organized and reserved the whole camping ground for Friday and Saturday nights. This beach allow 22 tents and 44 people a night, we were a big camping group.

Sonny and I joined them on Saturday morning, as soon as we set up our tent, we took a walk with few friends on the trail along the coast which lead to City of Refuge.

Most parts of the trail are lava rock, you have to be more careful, not to step on any loose rock. It won’t be fun tripped and fall on lava rock. We stopped and looked at many interesting formations of lava rock, especially the ones right by the water.

It was getting hot, we found a spot for swimming, jumped in and cooled down.

We started with two boys and seven adults, Sonny and a lady left us and went back to camping ground, right after the swimming spot.

We saw these triple urchin shaped rock, three ladies posed for our cameras, fun, fun, fun.

It was around 9:30 when we started, took us 3 hours to reach City of Refuge. We ran out of drinking water, hot and thirsty, glad to see Ipo who came to pick us up.

Back to camp, first thing I did, was jump into water. I saw some dolphins not too far away from shore, and few people around there. I had my fins and floating noodle tied on my wrist, wanted to see those amazing animal again.

First time I saw dolphins closely was a year ago, I went out with Joni; swam close to 5,6 dolphins for few minutes. I was awed by their graceful movement, beautiful feature, shine through their gentle and friendly nature. I think they are the most beautiful creatures on earth, “Angle” is the exact name made for them. Their appearance make them seems smiling all the time. Swimming with them and seeing them, it make the sunshine light in your heart, make you want to smile back to them, only the wonderful thoughts and feeling around them. I’ll remember this first time forever.

A week ago, I swam close to them for second time, I went out with Kollete, Lucia. I counted, there were over 20 of them, swam in a big circle; we hang around them for 20 minutes. They seems like to swim in a small group, 3 or 4, always touching each other. Some one swam up side down right below another one, very playful; young ones like to leap out of water, very active.

On this third time, I heard lots of their chirping sound, there were quite bit communication going on between them. Seeing them made this day very special to me. I swam out farther this time, I’m getting braver.

Friends get together, food always is a good part of it. It was barbecue night, so there were meat, veggi, fish on the grill; I made noodle salad and curry chicken. Sid fried a big tray of fish, it was good; I forgot taking a picture since I was busy eating it.

At night, all of the kids had a great time, ran around with flashlight. Sonny wanted to stay awake all night long, but he came into our tent before 10pm, took a little while for him to calm down from the excitement, fell sleep.

Sonny got up early next morning, found other early rise kids and played together. After breakfast, back to ocean for some more fun time.

It was a wonderful experience, we’ll do it again.

Pig trap

Posted on September 11, 2013 by dakine

We live close to the forest, wild pigs often come down from mountain at night, dig every where to look for food, they became a problem to us. Especially in winter time, it’s drier and less food up on the mountain, they always make big mess then.

Jerry lent his pig trap to us and helped Terry to set it up under one of our Avocado tree. About a week later, one pig was caught but escaped, pigs are quite smart and strong. Terry called, Jerry came to fix the trap. They put a lock on the gate, if a pig get into the trap, it has very little chance to escape. It was only 3, 4 days, we got the first pig, it was Friday, August 30th.

Ama who is Jerry’s younger son came, shot the pig and took it home, butchered it alone. On Saturday, we both went to their house to help cutting up the meat. Jerry is a very good cook, he made pork adobo for that day. Next day, he and Ama made some sausage, cooked on the grill and other marinated pork.

The sausage were the best, better than any kind sausages from store. I said to Jerry, ” Your sausage recipe is great, if we catch more pig, you can make some sausage for sell. Friends and neighbors will love it.” He said:” No, you don’t sell the meat if you get it free. The more free meat you get from nature, the more you give away to share with other people, the more you will get. It’s a karma, a cycle.”

I like this idea, he put it into words, made me understand local Hawaiian’ sharing custom; it make me more respect and love these native people, who seems always have big love heart.

Last weekend, we went to Hilo for Sonny’s swimming match, spent Friday night at a friend’s house, came home on Saturday afternoon. Next morning Terry went to check the trap, he said we got one pig in the trap. I thought he was joking and didn’t believe him first, cause we just caught one pig a week ago.

He called Jerry, Jerry and his two sons came half hour later. Jerry shot the pig inside the trap, they butcher it at their house, Terry lent a hand.

Jerry cooked some meat for supper the same day, he is going to make some smoke meat and sausage, and we are going to make some Laulau together on Wednesday. He asked me to take some to home, cook any way I want.

This is the smoked meat I made yesterday, and cooked this morning, we had it for lunch. It’s one of my mom’s recipes, simple ingredients but takes some time to make it.

We have a friend, young man who likes to hunt, gave us a half frozen pig to make more room in his freezer. It took me whole day to smoke the meat, and my cooking pot was not big enough, I had to use the same pot three time, to cook all the meat. We invited this young man and one of his friend for lunch that day, and sent them home with half of cooked meat. This young man’s father who I never met, liked it; he told one of our neighbor who is vegetarian, he had never tasted any pork like that. I took it as a complement, I was glad they liked it.

A week later, this friend brought up another half frozen pig. I cooked it, made everyone happy; it was a big job, I wished not to do it again in short time. Our freezer was full, I turned down our friend’s request a couple of times after that.

I remember Jerry told me, that you’ll never go starving live in Hawaii, if you know how to fishing and hunting. And you can grow all kind of food or fruit on the land too.

When we were in Hilo, I just realized how bright the colors of nature are. I couldn’t get enough of the blue sky, white clouds and green plants; I took lots of pictures.

It was our busy weekend.

A Place to Stay In Coffee Country

Posted on September 5, 2013 by dakine

The coffee trees are load up with green coffee, we saw few ripe cherries and talked about picking the first round ourselves two weeks ago. Then our regular picker called us, two pickers came and took 3 days to finish the whole farm; they picked 7 bags, with this coffee Terry tried out our new equipment for the first time.

Sonny had long weekend last week, he was busy most time; he asked me to take a morning walk with him yesterday. We don’t have any important job to do in the farm; I joined him, knew we will have a pleasant time together.

He had a back pack with a bottle of water, I had my camera. It was sunny, beautiful day, and we had time to stop and take a close look at plants or flowers.

When I was taking pictures of ginger flowers, Sonny asked me, could we eat the flower. I told him, I don’t know, but the flower has good smell. I remember, when I was young, at Water Splashing Festival, Dai girls and women wore ginger flowers in their hair. It has good scent, they used it as perfume which nobody had . He asked me to pick one for him, then I continued doing what I was doing; when we resumed our walk I noticed he was wearing the flower. He inspired me to pick one and wear one too.

Wild growing bitter melon bear small fruit, it’s a weed to most people. If you like bitter taste, it could be a yummy food. I pick the tender leaf and shoots when I see good bushes of bitter melon, stir fry it with ginger, garlic and chili. I like their bitter flavor, Terry likes it too; that make me even happier when I prepare this dish.

Half way down the road, Sonny wanted to take a break, there is a good place to rest, in front of Kane Plantation’s drive way. He is holding a passion fruit, we picked on the road.

Not long after artist Herb Kane died, his wife sold the farm to Michale and David. They did a lot of work to make the place better and more beautiful, they are very friendly and nice people. When Terry and I had a conversation, not just once, many times we both said, how good we feel about them, how happy we are, to know such nice peoples live in our neighborhood.

They officially opened their B&B on June, a beautiful place to truly experience the life of Hawaii. Their web site is www.kaneplantationhawaii.com .

Sonny and I continued walking down the road, stopped to pick some guava by the road side, it’s one of Sonny’s favorite fruit, he showed his interest to this fruit when he was only one year old. We picked enough, just got ready to walk home; Michale drove by, offered us a ride. I told him, we were taking a walk. But Sonny wanted taking the ride, we rode to their farm.

Michale invited us into their house, I got permission to take some pictures. It’s a very neat house.

They had guests in their house, we visited them for a little while, then back to home. Another day in paradise, a morning we spent together, a good time we shared.