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Hawaian Heaven

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After living on Maui and the wild jungle side of the big island of Hawaii for a month, I’ve come to know that “Aloha” is far more than a mere greeting or a tourism slogan. It’s a spirit that literally means – sharing the breath of life. It permeates life on the big island like the soft warm ocean air itself.

If you breath in the aloha spirit you may feel it seeping into your soul. You may also find yourself sharing the breath of life in the kind words you speak and in your conscious actions. The calming aloha spirit slows people down so they can make time for themselves and others. When the world you live in is gentle and abundant, there is no hurry to fabricate or strive. It’s this aloha spirit, not just the comfortable tropical weather, which make Hawaii’s overall climate so beautiful and heart felt.

Hawaii is truly a world away from the hustle of the America mainland. It feels like another country. In fact, it was a sovereign country until being unjustly annexed by the United States of America about one hundred years ago. But the aloha culture lives on with a diverse mix of immigrants. The original immigrants traveled over two thousand miles in ocean going canoes from far away Polynesian islands. They arrived with their pigs, chickens and plants and thrived on this remote chain of formerly uninhabited volcanic islands.

In 1778 Captain Cook from England “discovered” the Hawaiian Islands and the settlement and commercialization of Hawaii began. The white settlers, called “Haole” by the original Hawaiians of Polynesian decent, were joined by immigrants from other nations such as the Philippines and Japan, who came to work in the sugar and fruit fields and start businesses. Today the islands are shared by its diverse residents and visitors from all over the world.

I hope the highlights below breath joy into your life and inspire you to come some day to this truly magical place and to share the breath of life. Aloha!

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Thanks to award winning photographer, Melissa Mermin, for contributing some of the above photos. To learn more about her acclaimed photography visit Melissa Mermin Love Stories.

The Old Testament claims that paradise was lost when Adam and Eve ate fruit from the forbidden tree of knowledge. Since then life has gotten more complicated with each generation. We children of Adam and Eve are now drowning in “knowledge” – books, media, manuals, posts, spam and twits from those who twitter.

But can paradise be rediscovered in these hectic times? Can we return this ill begotten knowledge and exchange it for paradise lost? I believe we can, if only for brief moments.

But to find “Heaven within” we must step off the treadmill of modern life and rediscover an inner silence that is free from the chatter and clutter of busy lives and over stimulated minds.

Such inner peace can be found on a noise street in Calcutta or a serene beach, once we know how to find it within ourselves. But for now, as a beginner, I’m practicing finding Heaven on the Big Island of Hawaii along a jungle covered stretch of ocean coast known as the Puna region.

In this remote area TVs are rare and cell phone coverage is sparse and developments are nearly non-existent, while yoga, healthy organic food, fresh air, vegetation, life, ecstatic dancing, volcanic lava flows and heartfelt community are abundant. The forces of life and energy are very powerful. It is hippie Heaven.

Hippie Heaven – the Puna Coast of the Hawaiian Big Island

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To see outstanding examples of the beauty of Hawaii, view Lino Laure’s exceptionally beautiful landscapes, seascapes and other art works in his online gallery.

Kalani Oceanside Retreat

At the center of the Puna coastal region is the Kalani Oceanside Retreat. Staffed largely by volunteers, this communal retreat is a social hub for the local community and sponsors workshops, yoga classes and open dance sessions. Accommodations range from tent camping to private tree houses. Guests are called to the communal dinning area by the bellowing sound of a conch shell. The food is healthy and delicious with ample fresh vegetables, fruits and fish and meat for those who are not vegetarians.

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On Sunday morning the community comes together for free style ecstatic dance. Everyone moves and flows freely in a sea of energy and vibrations as each individual expresses their inner spirit in motion. Following the dance many migrate to a nearby nudist black sand beach and wash away their sweat in the surging ocean waves, as drummers and musicians make music near acrobats and sunbathers.

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I stayed at Kalani for ten very relaxing days and nights until renting a house nearby. I made many new wonderful friends, including Pohaku, who turned me on to yoga and some beautiful serene places on the island.

My Yogi – Pohaku

Some times the Universe conspires and puts a teacher on our path who inspires and guides us in a new and positive direction. I met Pohaku (Peter) during dinner at Kalani. He spoke passionately about yoga and its transformative power.   Like me, he travels solo through life and views life as an ongoing journey of inner and outer discovery.

He has created a life of peace and beauty splitting his time between the big island of Hawaii and the island of Salt Springs near Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Life for this Zen George Clooney look alike is rich inside and out.

With his encouragement and guidance I’ve dived deeply into yoga, taking classes twice a day. I expect that Pohaku, yoga and this hippie Heaven in Hawaii will be in my life for many years to come.

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 5:16 am and is filed under Hawaii. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

15 Responses to “Hawaian Heaven”

  1. Amanda,traveling photographer Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 12:31 am

    Pat: This looks amazing and peaceful and decadent. I’m jealous.

  2. gabriella Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 3:52 am

    the place looks so unreal…must make pilgrimage to vagabond’s mecca

  3. pura vida Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 11:52 am

    WOW…beautiful place, beautiful journey…i am jealous too, which i am sure shows my need for some spiritual evolution!!

  4. Fletcher Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    NICE! Looks like my kind of place. Thanks for sharing, man.

  5. Ashley Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    incredible. looks like heaven!

  6. Jaegs Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    Nice! Looks like a lot of great energy is being shared. Take it easy brother.

  7. Shima Moore Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    Ahhh Pat, reminds me of being in Captain Cook many years ago…
    Friends sent me there to heal myself from stage 4 cancer. (Which I did 🙂
    Also studied massage with Auntie Margaret in Kealakekua Bay and lived on coffee farm and then an avocado farm…Fabulous!
    Thought I was coming back to the mainland just to get my things to go back to teach dance in Kona, but ended up teaching and living in Malibu for the next 10 years instead…etc…
    Glad you have made your way there…
    Just moved to the edge of Marin “on the mountain” above Tennessee Valley. Saw my house from the hills that I look out on and was amazed…after us it’s all national park. You’ll love it.
    On my way to LA Wednesday for Conscious Life Expo. You are definitely invited.. .but sounds like you are enjoying yoga in an Hawaiian Paradise…
    Aloha. Until the next time. Life is full of wonderful memories…

  8. Nora - The Professional Hobo Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    Ah – what memories! I stayed in the Puna region for almost 4 months, and enjoyed the Sunday morning ecstatic dances, Kehena beach, Papaya Farms Road, Pohoiki beach, and so many other bits of unspoiled paradise. This post makes me want to go back and live at Kalani and get into Yoga! Hmm……could be done….
    Here’s my first impression of Ecstatic Dance:
    http://theprofessionalhobo.com/2007/11/dance-like-no-one-is-watching/

  9. dreamer Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    This place and the experiences that people are having there seem so incredible to me! I wish I could be a part of it! Truly looks like hippie heaven! 🙂

  10. joshywashington Says:
    February 12th, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    these pix do indeed speak a thousand words my friend! This paradise is exactly how you described it…I must admit, among the constant drizzle of Seattle I am a little jealous!
    Thanks for the update and burn bright!

  11. Ona Says:
    February 17th, 2010 at 5:21 am

    Pat,
    I was wondering where you disappeared to!!! I am indeed jealous!!! I have a few friends from Santa cruz who are living on the Big Island, but I am not sure where…. Probablly where you were!! Many blissful days spent in Hawaii….and the sounds of the Sea….
    Best Wishes,
    Ona, Jim & Cosmo

  12. Amanda,traveling photographer Says:
    February 17th, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Making your way to Oahu by any chance ? I’m coming for week really soon! 😉

  13. Gayla D'Gaia Says:
    March 2nd, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    Hooray! I see you met my friend Jaris in a jam session! I’m headed to Maui asap… can’t wait! You really inspired me!
    Love and Beauty!
    ~Gayla

  14. Joy Waters Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 6:37 am

    Your sensitive observations and passionate enthusiasm for my home state qualifies you to be what we call a Born Again Hawaiian. I hope that you continue to sample all of the islands in this incredible kingdom. They are all very different and it would be inspirational to have you document your experiences with each one.

    I am happy that you are exposing the world to the truth and sincerity of the Aloha Spirit. It is this daily choice to slow down enough that we can afford to be nice to each other that brings us such a sweet relaxation into the beauty of the moment. We place a high value here on being friendly and helpful and mellow… no matter what. Strength is shown through kindness not with macho power. This is the stuff world peace is made of.
    Come back soon!

  15. Melissa Says:
    March 9th, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Great images, you look like you had an amazing and happy time. I hope to go back to Maui someday and experience it the way you photographed it- peaceful : )

    Mahalo,

    Melissa

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