Mele Kaʻapuni no Keawe Kū i ka Moku — Chant for the Island of Hawaiʻi
(Kamaka Kukona)

In the Hawaiian storytelling tradition, chants and songs are composed to commemorate people, events, relationships, and even journeys. Kamaka’s chant honors the Big Island and Pele. Pele is the revered Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, and volcanoes, known as both a creator and destroyer who shapes the islands with lava. One of the best-known legends tells of her fleeing her sister, Nāmaka, the sea goddess, from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi, creating islands in her wake before finally settling in Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Another well-loved legend is that of ʻŌhiʻa and Lehua. After Pele was rejected by the handsome mortal ʻŌhiʻa, she turned him into a twisted tree. The goddess Hina, taking pity, transformed his beloved Lehua into the flower that blooms upon it, so they would never be separated. To this day, legend says that plucking the red lehua blossom brings rain — Lehua’s tears.

Whatever the legend, Pele is a force to be reckoned with. As Kīlauea witnessed its 43rd eruptive episode, lava fountained 1,500 feet into the air, spewing orange lava and large rock bombs. Pele’s hair — those fine strands of volcanic glass — scattered in the wind. Kīlauea is the most active volcano on Earth, destroying over 700 homes in the Puna district in 2018 while also creating more than a kilometer of new land. Since 1983, ongoing eruptions have added hundreds of acres to the island. Destruction and creation — always hand in hand.

The island itself was born from fire and built by five shield volcanoes, including Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, and Mauna Kea. Measured from the ocean floor, Mauna Kea rises over 33,000 feet, making it technically taller than Mount Everest. The Big Island of Hawaiʻi is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, covering 4,028 square miles — nearly twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined. It is a land of extremes, containing 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones, from tropical rainforest to snowy tundra high on the volcanic peaks. You can travel from scorching coastal heat to alpine cold in just a few hours. Once, after competing in an outrigger canoe race off sizzling Kawaihae, we drove straight up Mauna Kea to camp for the night. We shivered in the cold alpine forest and could not get warm. It was hard to believe we had been sweating by the ocean only hours earlier. With altitude changing everything, it is possible to choose your own favorite season to live in — spring, summer, or fall.

Having raised the kids in Hawaii, it is always fun to visit them at Christmas. It feels like “a vacation from our vacation,” and it remains one of the highlights of every year. Catching up and watching the grandchildren grow is a joy every Tutu — every Grandma — understands. Just being part of their lives, playing together, sharing ordinary moments, is what it is all about. Hiking in the cloud forest with Mariah’s nature camps, swimming at remote beaches, seeing whales up close and personal from Kevin’s boat, baking Croatian Christmas ‘povititsa’ together, celebrating birthdays and Christmas — these are the gifts of the season. New memories layered over old ones.

This year we also converged from all corners for a road trip through Wisconsin and a visit with Uncle Paul. We stayed at the family cabin in the Northwoods near Lake Superior. It was wonderful to see my brother and fun to spend time again in Mellen, the little town where I grew up. We even saw the 4th of July parade and rode on the fire truck! Not meaning to brag (haha), but grandsons Seth and Leo won a prize in the annual frog-jumping contest — for the shortest jump, a proud 1 inch. Standing in the crowd was their dad, our son Kevin, who still holds the record for the longest jump at 66 inches, set 36 years earlier. Photos were taken. Their moment of glory was brief, but glorious. I guess the talent runs in the family.

Cousin Mike was generous enough to let us sleep in “The Shack” — a rustic but lovingly maintained log cabin, classic and full of stories about the deer that got away. It was built by my dad and Uncle Paul in the 1970s, replacing the original shack my dad built with Uncle Fred after WWII. My Grandpa Emil built the granite fireplace so solidly that when the old cabin finally succumbed to termites, they simply tore the rest down and built the new log cabin around that beautiful old fireplace. Sitting there, we could feel Gami and Obbie with us in spirit. We hiked, fished, relaxed in the forest, roasted marshmallows around the campfire, caught fireflies, got up early to pick wild strawberries, and took long walks down the wooded trails. Nature clears the mind, strengthens family bonds, replenishes the body, and nourishes the soul.

We also flew to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, for a quick but meaningful visit with friends and family. Having lived for 16 years on Vancouver Island — from Victoria at the southern tip, to Fort Rupert in the north with the Kwakiutl Nation, and Errington in between — it felt a little like coming home. It was heartwarming to be welcomed back into the lives of old friends and family. We reminisced about the good old days and caught up on what was new while hiking, swimming, eating, talking, and sharing tea together.

Vancouver Island, off the western coast of British Columbia, is not just famous for its stunning coastal views and rugged mountains. It also carries thousands of years of Indigenous history. Inhabited for over 13,800 years by the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwakaʼwakw peoples, the island remains a vibrant center of First Nations culture, woven together with a laid-back, nature-based lifestyle, rich maritime history, and thriving eco-tourism.

The only reason we stopped there on our way back to Hawaii or Japan was to reconnect with near and dear friends and family. As we age, each visit feels more important. All the wild and crazy antics of youth eventually catch up with us, and people start dropping like flies. Not fair, really — just when you finally start figuring life out, you get old and die. Remember the lucky ones make it to our age! Such is the cycle of life. Our motto remains: lead as healthy a lifestyle as you can and stay one step ahead of what’s gaining on you! So far, so good.

Love, Light & Laughter, 

xo  Nancy & Joseph

TRAVEL NOTES:

The most common way to say “hi” or “hello” in Hawaii is Aloha. It is used for both hello and goodbye, embodying warmth, love, and peace. For a more casual local greeting, you can use “Howzit?”

Here are some interesting facts about the Big Island of Hawaii:

The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest in the chain, boasting 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones and active volcanoes that add roughly 40 acres of new land annually. It features the world’s tallest mountain (Mauna Kea) from seafloor to peak, produces green sand, and holds the southernmost point in the US.

 It’s Still Growing: The Big Island is the only part of the state still actively growing, with Kīlauea volcano adding roughly 40 acres of new land annually, including over 875 acres in 2018 alone.

Tallest Mountain on Earth: When measured from its underwater base, Mauna Kea is over 33,500 feet tall, making it higher than Mount Everest, which sits at 29,032 feet.

  Diverse Climate Zones: You can experience nearly every climate zone on Earth, including tropical jungles, desert lava fields, and snow-capped mountains.

 Rare Green Sand Beach: Papakōlea Beach is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, formed by olivine crystals that erode from a 49,000-year-old volcanic cinder cone.

Southernmost Point: The southernmost point in the United States, Ka Lae (South Point), is located on the Big Island, where the next closest landmass is Antarctica.

  Active Volcanoes: The island is built from five shield volcanoes, with Kīlauea and Mauna Loa being among the most active on Earth.

  Unique Coffee & Crops: The Big Island is the only place in the US that commercially grows coffee, vanilla beans, and cacao, thriving in the fertile volcanic soil.

  Astronomical Hub: Because of its high altitude, minimal light pollution, and clear skies, the summit of Mauna Kea is home to some of the world’s most advanced astronomical observatories.

 Black Sand Beaches: Punaluʻu Beach is one of the most famous black sand beaches, formed by lava exploding when it flows into the ocean

Northern Wisconsin, or the “Northwoods:

• Glacial Legacy: The landscape is heavily influenced by the last glacial era, resulting in thousands of lakes, rocky terrain, and dense forests of pine, sugar maple, and birch.
• Water Headwaters: The area contains the headwaters for two major water systems: the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.
• Abundant Wildlife: Home to diverse wildlife, including black bears, wolves, loons, eagles, and the elusive pine marten.
• Wild Rivers: The Wild Rivers Legacy Forest in Florence County protects over 14 miles of the pristine Pine and Popple Rivers. 

History & Culture

• Gangster Hideout: In 1934, the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters was the site of a botched FBI raid, where gangsters like John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson escaped, leaving behind relics.
• Logging Heritage: The region, particularly towns like, Mellen, has deep roots in 19th-century logging and granite quarrying.
• The “Up North” Tradition: For over a century, the region has been a premier vacation spot, drawing visitors from Chicago and beyond to cabins and resorts. 

Recreation & Tourism

• Water Wonderland: The Minocqua Chain of Lakes includes seven lakes and nearly 6,000 acres of water, making it a hotspot for boating and fishing.
• Snowmobile Capital: Eagle River hosts the annual World Championship Snowmobile Derby and boasts miles of groomed trails.
• Fish Conservation: The Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery system, while extending beyond just WI, raises millions of fish to support the natural, healthy habitats of the Northwoods’ thousands of lakes. 

Unique Facts

• Small Town Charm: Mellen is one of only two cities in Ashland County and has a town hall that dates back to 1896.
• Autumn Colors: The area is renowned for its intense fall foliage, turning the forests into vivid red, yellow, and orange landscapes.
• Rhinelander: Known for its role as the home of the legendary creature, the Hodag. 
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Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada:

 is the largest island on the west coast of North America, stretching about 460 km in length. It boasts Canada’s mildest climate, renowned old-growth rainforests, and a population of over 775,000, with Victoria serving as the provincial capital. 

Natural Wonders and Geography

• Massive Trees: The island is home to some of the oldest and tallest Western Red Cedars and Sitka Spruce trees in the world.
• Highest Waterfall: Della Falls, located in Strathcona Provincial Park, is one of Canada’s highest waterfalls at 440 meters.
• Mountainous Spine: The Vancouver Island Mountain Range runs down its center, with the highest point being the Golden Hinde at 2915m.
  Diverse Ecosystems: The west coast features dramatic, wet rainforests (up to 6000mm of rain annually), while the east coast sits in a rain shadow, creating a much drier climate. 

Wildlife and Adventure

• Marine Life: The surrounding waters are a hotspot for whale watching, featuring Orcas, humpback, gray, fin, and minke whales.
• Black Bears: Over 7,000 black bears live on the island.
• Top Destination: It is renowned for surfing in Tofino, kayaking, hiking the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, and storm-watching in the winter. 

History and Culture

• Indigenous Heritage: The island is home to three main First Nations groups: Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Nuu-chah-nulth.
• Original Name: It was originally named Quadra and Vancouver’s Island to recognize the Spanish navigator Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra and British explorer George Vancouver.
• City of Gardens: Victoria, the capital, is famous for its British colonial architecture, Butchart Gardens, and mild, almost snow-free winters.
• Mining Past: Nanaimo, the second-largest city, was formerly a coal mining town and is known today as a major ferry hub.