Thorny kiawe trees, lava rock tongues leaching out into the ineffable ocean, Kaho'olawe Island in the distance / this day.

April 5th, 2014, 9am

It was 25°C with few clouds. The wind was calm.

There was really not more to that moment, David, than the elemental fact of it.

But thanks for wanting to “know more” about it; although I’m beginning to wonder about this hi.co trope—do readers really want to know more about the moments they’ve been given a glimpse of… or do they subconsciously need to? Or is the external nudge something else… perhaps our web overseers’ comment on each of our desultory attempts at connecting with someone one hasn’t encountered ‘since Adam’ but who is nevertheless felt in a way of some familiarity?

Anyway. ;-) Working where I do, and when I do, I’ve had more than a few occasions to observe people committing their loved ones’ ashes to the ocean. All told, it’s a beautiful way to put a full-stop to one’s physical existence, don’t you think? I’ve always wanted that to be my own final gesture as well (but with a twist or two or three, that’s for another story).

Lava flows and fields extending to the sea is, basically, a defining characteristic of land on this archipelago, hence a defining quality for anyone living on it. Meaning, the symbolism of it can penetrate to the essence of one’s bones and constituent atoms—if you let it. It’s everywhere; but nowhere, if you’re not paying attention. I chose to capture that moment and share it, to acknowledge the fact that I was paying attention at just that time, at just that locus on the edge of the island.

Thanks for wondering about it, and registering your curiosity, even if it was made easier by the marvel of this engine we are engaged in at the moment. Would I have preferred a more, uhm, ‘difficult’ connection? No, not really. And that’s the beauty of the medium they’ve begun to create, with us as molecules, and twisting strands of digital DNA.

Be well.


Christine said thanks.

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Lloyd Nebres

I lived in a village and homestead set aside for people of Hawaiian ancestry. I am not Hawaiian but had been adopted into the culture—to my profound gratitude.

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