BIG island

This past Thanksgiving I returned to the Big Island to spend the break with my suite mate and his family. Ever since freshman year I have been going with my good friend Blake back to his home town of Hilo. Every year I look forward to this trip, I get to see all of his family and friends that live there, we get to go fishing and diving. We always eat the load grinds that his family makes for us :) literally never leave that island on an empty stomach. But most importantly I get to spend time and emirs myself in a different culture. When I'm there I really try to adopt the easy going way of life and soak up as much of it as I can. His family has adopted me as one of their own and I really enjoy that, especially since the break is too short and it would cost far too much money to fly back home for thanksgiving. Blake has a rather large family so it comes with a lot of  diversity and a lot new and interesting foods. I am usually willing to try anything at least once and it generally works out for me hahaha. But seriously I really enjoy this trip each year for many reasons. But to be honest the most rewarding part of the trip is getting to experience a new way of life and to get the chance to take any new customs that have been passed along. Also not to mention I really get to enjoy the true beauty of the islands, with the population of the Big Island being less dense you can really just sit back and enjoy the natural beauty that the island has to offer.

trip to the past

Two weekends ago we went on another one of the learning excursions. Me and a couple of my buddies all woke up pretty early with the rising sun and got ready for the field trip not really knowing what to expect. When we arrived downtown we boarded the bus and were on our way!!! The first stop that we went to was in ....... We meet a local there named Tom. Tom was pretty much the overseer/care taker of the two places we went to visit. The first spot had a huge birthing stone in the middle of a stream. The stone got there because it was moved several times and the last time it was moved they dropped it and it split in half and has remained at its current location ever since. It was really interesting to hear about the great meaning and significance that this place has to the local people of Hawaii. But was even more interesting was the struggle they are going through to keep this place safe. The land used to be a national monument, but just recently was demoted. They even built a a playground and park all around the site, and are even talking about building a parking lot over the existing site. I feel that this is very wrong and should not be allowed. This site is very holy to the native people and has great significance in their culture, even its is not as important to other cultures its is still of the up most importacne to some and should remain in its natural state. The second site that we went to was just as interesting if not more. It was an actual birthing h.... that was used over on the west side of Oahu. While we were there Tom showed us some of the traditional practices that would take place there, along with a description and history of the area. The thing that I found most interesting was that this birthing h..... is a place of great significance and considered a holy place in the eyes of the native Hawaiians, but it is also a rather popular tourist destination. So as we were learning about the significance of these "rocks" I witnessed tourists climbing and playing on these stones. The field trip really helped me to open my eyes and see that you really need to learn the history and significance of places before you just start playing on them or even trying to build upon them.

Freaky Fish

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the sales of genetically modified salmon that has been raised/created by a Massachusetts based company. The fish can grow twice as fast as those in the wild, and ca reach market weight in a year in a half compared to three years. I feel that this is a very interesting and sensitive topic. Where the benefits of having these fish produced in larger numbers and in a shorter time could be beneficial, it still has its down sides. Which could include the potential for mutation or harmful particles entering the human body after consumption of the fish. Also it could potentially take jobs and money away from the current fishing industries. 

Hiking

The other day I had one of those moments where everything just comes together and makes sense. I went on a trip in aiea to a hike that lead to a pool with a few pools and rope swings, I don't remember the actual name of the trail but one of my good friends took us there. The group consisted of 6 of my good friends, and myself. We all started hiking and were felling pretty good. After about half way down the trail I noticed a little seat formed by roots with a clearing right in front of me reveling a very surreal view of the mountain side. I took a few minuets and just sat there as this spot became a pretty significant place on the hike to the pool. We continued on our way and eventually reached the pool.

When we reached the pools we stayed and enjoyed the cooling and refreshing waters that the spring had to offer. After we were a the pools for a few hours it started to get dark and we headed back. We took the same trail back that we took in. As we were walking along the trail I was overcome with this feeling that I had been at the same spot before but it had more significance than that. I stopped and turned around and took a few steps back and than realized I was a the same clearing once again. But I didn't even notice it! At that moment all the things that I have been learning in class about conservation, sustainability, and looking at things in a different way all came together and really hit home. Especially after watching the movie 180 degrees south in class and hearing about how we all just need to sometimes stop take a 180 degree turn and take a step in that direction. After seeing this and realizing this I was in a really euphoric state. Things were good, the hike was great and everything was really making sense.

Field Trip to Mokauea Island

Last Saturday myself and about 30 other students all embarked on a field trip to Mokauea Island. The Mokauea Island are located just off of Sand Island in downtown Honolulu. When we first got there we were given a brief history of the Island and its inhabitants. On the island there are 5 houses that 5 families live in. They are trying to go off the grid and already get all of their electricity form generators, and they are currently working on their water and plumbing situations. They have a fully functional fish pond that generates a good amount of fish. To get to the island you need to take a canoe there, and the people of the Mokauea island are very good paddlers. I had never paddled an outrigger canoe before so when I found out that we were going to be able to do that I was very stoked.

Once we got to the island we were given a more formal introduction about the island and its people. It was really interesting to learn about the people and their history. I was really amazed when I found out that in the 70's the board of transportation hired and outside group to attempt to drive the people off of the island. In their efforts they managed to set fire and burn down 3 of the houses on the island. But after this incident the people living there were able to sign a 60 year lease on the island making it their very own.

Also while we were there we were able to help plant some several different plant species, and were able to help clear out so invasive plants on the island. It made me feel really good about my self that I was helping contribute to these peoples well being and sustainable way of life. I would recommend that anyone and everyone given the chance to go to Mokauea island take full advantage of that and see what its all about.

The Power of Thought

So last week it turns out I come down with a cold! TIGHT! not but anyways I was thinking about what one of the guest speakers we had said about thinking things into place. So I decided to start thinking that I was getting better, I continued to think positively about my sickness and that my body was healing. So far I have made a pretty good turn around and things are starting to look up.
Also I have recently applied for a Study Abroad program to South Africa. I really want to go on this trip I feel like it would be an amazing and life changing experience. I have already been accepted on behalf of the school the program takes place through, but I still need to be accepted by the school in South Africa. So I have also applied the positive thought to this situation. I keep saying that the South African school will accept me and that this will be an amazing experience. So in a sense Im trying to will my acceptance into the once in a lifetime opportunity. Wishing for the best :)

Time Tree

While reading one of the articles we were emailed I couldn't help but stop and think about how interesting a new cell phone application was. The application is called Time Tree and it is available for the iPhone. The application allows users to search a specific animal, plant, fungi, ect. and it will provide you with its basic information. I think that this is aver cool new and useful application. I know from looking at all the different applications that are available on itunes that there are some just plain stupid and useless applications (not that those aren't fun). But I think that this is a really useful tool not only as a means of learning but can make learning fun and interesting, by putting it at your finger tips. I know that if I had an iPhone I would download the application!