The weekend of October 8 was quite eventful; having just returned from a 3-week trip to Europe, head straight back to work, then fly to the Kona Airport. Almost forgot, it was Ironman Triathlon weekend and the island – lots of energy on the island – spiritual and otherwise.

On Saturday, we met a new, very knowledgeable friend who shared stories. Nearing the end of his visit, he mentioned being a graduate of Leilehua High School … my alma mater. We had been at the same school, only a year apart. Oh the reminiscing. We certainly entertained our other friends – singing the entire alma mater!

On Sunday, we were privy to a drive up Mānā road – Hāmākua mauka, starting from Waimea. I have always felt a strong connection to Poliʻahu – snow goddess of Maunakea, and it was time to address her. Through the generosity of the Saito ʻohana, we stopped and had lunch at the Hānaipoe Cabin. An old cabin built to house working cowboys while they were on duty in that area. It was foggy all the way up until we reached the top of a small hill … then the fog opened up like a theatre curtain – with blue skies, green, grass, and the misty fog off to the side. There, in the short distance, was Hānaipoe Cabin.

Rather dusty, but still very quaint, I was visited by three spirits there. One was Ebenezer (who I later found out from my friends, was the son of the original owner of Parker Ranch, John Palmer Parker; and the father of Samuel Parker). The other was “Willy or Willie” – not sure – found out later that there were several Willy’s affiliated with the area, and Poliʻahu herself.

We were around the 5,000-ft. elevation. With Poliʻahu’s consent, I did a brief protocol ceremony there, placing a few pōhaku. After lunch, we drove further back toward Maunakea. It was a great day.

Nani Hāmākua
Hoʻokena, Choice of the Heart

Nani Hāmākua, i ka ʻohu ma ka pali
beautiful is Hāmākua with mist on the cliffs
Holonihi aʻela i ka piʻina
Gently rolling upward, ascending
Kāhiko ʻia mai i ka pae lehua
Adorned in a single row of ʻōhiʻa lehua
ʻO ka milimili ia a ke kamalei
So favored and enjoyed by the child
Lei ana ʻo Waimea i ka ua anu
Waimea is overcome with cold rain
Koʻiawe iho ana me ka nahenahe
Swirling downward, softly
Māhie nā pua ʻala o ka nahele
Attractive are the fragrant blooms of the forest
He nani launa ʻole i kuʻu maka
A beauty my eyes have never known
Kūmaka ka ʻikena iā Maunakea
Behold Maunakea
ʻO ka nuʻu hau anu o Poliʻahu
Snow-covered abode of Poliʻahu
Me ʻoe ke aloha kau i ka wekiu
For you is love of high regard
ʻO ka helu ʻekahi me ka hanohano
Glorious, second to none
ʻAnoʻai kuʻu wehi i ka ua nui
Greetings to you, my adornment in the pouring rain
Mao ana i ka laʻi me ka maluhia
It’ll let up soon in serene, calm peace
Haʻina kuʻu mele hoʻohenoheno
I sing my special song
Pauʻole ke aloha o ke kama lei
Endless is the love of the child
Haʻina hou ʻia mai ka puana
I sing the refrain once more
Nani Hāmākua i ka ʻohu ma ka pali
Beautiful, indeed, is Hāmākua, with mist on the cliffs
Aloha wale kuʻu ʻāina o Hāmākua
Love to Hāmākua
I ka pali lele koaʻe
of the “cliffs where tropic birds fly”
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haku ʻia e C. Manu Boyd