Something In The Way She Moves

There’s something in the way Hana moves. The way people wave and smile at you when they drive by as if they’ve known you for years, the way a hug starts every greeting, the way old local pick up trucks and tourists rental convertibles flawlessly cruise the curves of the road…. Even as you walk or drive down the bumpy road into Hana Tropicals lined with arecas, you absorb a sense of that Hana movement. The arecas palms blow with the wind, they guide you like a queen walking into her castle.

The first building you’ll pass on your right on the property is the Oasis. A place for gathering, the Oasis holds chairs and tables, sports a lovely bar and ocean paintings sprawl across every inch of the walls, even in the bathroom. Last night, the Oasis was in full swing as friends and musicians congregated for a potluck dinner and jam session. Hana has the pleasure of hosting, Blackmail a Scottish band who gave us an amazing sneak peak last night at their concert tonight. The four lads had a brilliant traditional sound with their fiddles, guitar, mandolin, tin whistles and yes, even a bagpipe. Because it was a jam session, others added their two cents to the music making. Happy strummed along on his acoustic guitar, as Mackie, a Hana native, entertained us all on his ukulele, trying desperately for his traditional sound to mix with the bands. He’d break every so often so say, “Any more beer?!” and to my delight, even quickly started singing “Something” by George Harrison. The lovely night had me going to bed at ten! We’ve been falling asleep very early. It’s strange here, because the days are shorter, like any winter, so for it to feel like summer, but only have light from 6:30 to 6:30 takes some getting used too….

As you wander past the Oasis, you come to a fork, and neighboring huge trees (I’ll learn all their names some day I swear, just not yet…) covered in veins. Take a left and you’ll go towards one of the many gardens, and up the back way towards Happy’s humble abode and the long main building. Take a right, and it’s just a longer way to the front entrance to that building. That “Main Building” contains my place of residency, the “Digs” (a two bedroom and one kitchen barrack where Chelsea, Amy and I sleep,) the washing and arranging spot for the flowers, storage, and at the end is the orchid nursery. Further up on the property is the home of Krista and Ian, the owners of Hana Tropicals. Throughout the over 400 acre piece of land, many gardens make their presence known, and have cleaver names like, China Town. :)

Today, we weeded all morning in the pouring rain (just to point out that we don’t have perfect weather ALL the time!) We weeded a spot called the upper ridge and drove, “Fugly” the beat up Ford Ranger with no doors, to get there. When Happy parks the Fugly, he’s always asks, “What’s the most important thing to remember before parking?” It’s of course making sure that you get good radio reception at your parking spot. So today as we weeded, we jammed to a classic rock station from the big island, and heard “Something” once again, this time the whole version. :)

The radio guides us through flower arranging inside as well. The station we pick up in there plays regular songs with a Hawaiian twist to them. This morning I heard “Best of My Love” but instead of the Eagles, a much different musician took his shot at it, and it didn’t sound half bad.

Music’s clearly been having a strong occurrence here at Hana Tropicals throughout the past couple days, THANK GOODNESS. Even though I’m in paradise right now, observing a sense of movement in my surroundings, I’m sure all of you, no matter where you are, can notice it as well, for it’s the music that moves us, right?

Aloha.