08.08.09: STL Cronicles/Hearth Quest: Chapter 30: ‘Kona & Under the Sea’
Snorkeling at Captain Cook, Big Island
From the journal of Sir Thomas “Rymour Oisin” Leaf: Saturday, The 8th of Sextilis (Julius Caesar’s “August”) in the good year 2009 of the Common Era
Volcano-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
Me and David arose very early - around 6 am so that we could hit the road by 7 am. His plan was to drive me completely around the enter Big Island. I have such amazing friends. It was very cold and rainy in Volcano. I shouldn’t of bothered packing my hammock as it was too cold and rainy to sleep outside even though the idea was romantic and bohemian to me. Apparently it rains more in Volcano than it does in Seattle. At an astounding 4,000 ft elevation, it was almost like home in Colorado altitude-wise. We started the morning driving through the park at Volcano National Park to see the steam vents and the crater of the volcano smoking. Then we began our road trip. We wound up getting sidetracked halfway across the island in Kona so never did fully drive around the island - but we managed half of it - and that was o.k. with me as we were having a blast and it’ll give a great adventure next time I come to visit. There were some pretty interesting lava flows, orchards from papaya to macadamia nut, and interesting graveyards as well as roadside memorials along the way to peak my curiousity. We did hit the “southernmost bakery in the United States” and pitstopped for their infamous donuts that I ‘breathed down’ washed thru with an orange creme slushie to accompany it. We went by a department store to grab a couple of disposable underwater cameras for our undersea adventures. We found a really intriguing roadside memorial of a tree that was decorated with all the seasons - Xmas through Halloween - that was pretty neat. Then onwards to the Captain Cook monument where we hit the beach and dove into the crystal clear water with our snorkelling gear and cameras. Beautiful! So many tropical fish. I miss snorkeling. That’s one thing that sucks about living in a land-locked area. I sooo need to finish certification for diving.
We then drove to Kona for more snorkeling adventures. We pitstopped for lunch at Fish Hoppers for a very tasty meal. Then went to the Outrigger hotel and pretended we were guests - crashed a wedding, hung out in the lounge, swam in the pool, and accessed the beach from their property. Lots of sea turtles. There was a warm current - hot spring pumping out onto the beach by the resort. The sea turtles liked hanging out by it. So did we. After snorkelling we went to seek the nightlife in Kona which was dead. Looked for bars and clubs. Only bars we could find were lame and closing up. There was a music venue called “Rockstar” with some band playing from Seattle, but they were trying to charge $40 cover to see the band. Totally not cool, so we skipped it. We tried to find a stripclub but apparently they are illegal on the Big Island. We were told of a dance club called “Lulu’s” but apparently it was a pretty rough joint. We popped our heads in, and it seemed lame as well as tame. Always wonder where such rumors are conceived. We went across the street to the Huggo’s On the Rocks bar there and met some local cute girls named Tara and Jenny. They said there was nothing to do on Big Island at nighttime. That’s totally crazy. So I took the boring-little-town-form-of-entertainment and got drunk. Luckily Dave was the designated driver and stayed sober so-as to drive us back. I passed out in the car. (Sorry Kawika! I so should have forced myself to stay awake to keep you up but I think the travels got to me). Also learned the tip that Hawaiians easily target their tourists by marking them with the flower leis. Silly brilliance. Makes tourists easy to spot and take advantage of. Interesting. Today was a most excellent adventure … thank you sooo much Kawika for your amazing hospitality and tour guide finess …. When we pulled into Volcano it was time for sleep and a packing up for my return home to the states …. :: sigh :: I don’t want to leave.
Moana Loa
Roadside Markers and Graves in Hawaii
Kealakekua Bay Historical Park and Beach
Pu-ukohola heiau National Historic Site / Kohala
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
Big Island
Mauna Kea is home to the infamous and highest of cinder cones known as Pu’u Wekiu or Pu’u o Kukahau’ula, which is the highest point in the state. This volcano is in the post-shield stage of volcanic evolution transitioning from the shield stage roughly 250,000 years ago. During its shield stage it is theoreticized to have appeared similar to Mauna Loa as a smooth shield volcano with a large summit caldera. The summit was entirely covered by a massive ice cap during the Pleistocene ice ages and displays evidence of four periods of glaciation over the last 200,000 years that ended around 11,000 years ago with the last glaciation. Its dense rock at its summit, called the “Mauna Kea Adz Quarry” is believed to have formed when lava erupted under a glacier. Towards its top is the seventh highest lake in the U.S. called “Lake Waiau”. Also at the summit is a celestial observatory that has been considered the best astronomical site in the world since it resides above 40% of the Earth’s atmosphere and 90% of the water vapor allowing for an exceptional clear view of the night sky. Local legends place Mauna Kea as the home of the snow Goddess “Poliahu” and many other deities making it an important mecca site for prayer, burials, consecration of children, and traditional celestial observations.
Big Island
Hawi
Hawi
Big Island
On the west side of Kappau is the small locale that is roughly 1.2 square miles known as “Hawi” on the Big Island of Hawai’i. It is the northernmost city on Hawai’i and is the largest city in North Kohala. In 2000 it had a population of 938. The town and area was popular as a big commercial center for sugar plantations, most notably the “Kohala Sugar Plantation”. When the Plantation closed down in the 1970’s … the town dried up and became an art center of sorts. The town is filled with art galleries, artists, and a couple of restaurants. This is also the famed location and birthplace of “Kamehameha I” and is the location of the Mo’okini heiau that is part of the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument. The town still houses a few historic buildings that have remained standing since the mid-1800’s such as the Rev. Elisa Bond’s Estate. The area also provides a small plane airport known as “Upolu” here where sightseeing flights depart from. You can get to the area from Highway 270 north from Kawaihae, located by mile marker 22 just before Kap’au.
Huggo’s On the Rocks (Kona, Big Island, Hawaii)
Huggo’s on the Rocks, Kona
Huggo’s On the Rocks
* http://www.huggos.com/ * 75-5828 Kahakai Road Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 * (808) 329-1493 * Fax # (808)329-7204 **
A great casual bar in the heart of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Definitely idolic of the ‘beach’ bar atmosphere and setting - this ocean-front cocktail bar and pub is an off-shoot of the Huggo’s Restaurant next door. My one and only visit found it to be very friendly, hospitable, with great service and good bar staff. The patrons all looked happy and satisfied. The drinks served to us were good - though not as potent as I’m used to. They had a live band this saturday night, even though the town closes early on the entertainment front. But dancing and fun had by all. They don’t really have an official “closing” hour - they are just open from 11:30 am until ‘closing’ - whatever that normally means - was quite early the saturday of August 8th, 2009. Generally they have entertainment nightly from 6:30 pm - 10 pm, and serve cocktails from 11:30 am until midnight. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Outrigger Hotel - Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
Outrigger Hotel, Kona
Outrigger Hotel
* 78-261 Manukai Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740 * Toll-free U.S., Canada, Guam: 800-959-5662 or local: 808-322-9625
* http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/hawaii-big-island/outrigger-kanaloa-at-kona *
A beautiful, elegant, and spacious resort located on 18 acres of ocean-front lava rock beach that overlooks stunning Keauhou Bay. The hotel and resort is encircled by well groomed gardens that create a nice private space with tall coconut palms, tropical blossoms, soft grasses, and lush lauae ferns. Inside the hotel are roomy condo units with open-beamed ceilings and spacious covered balconies with breath-taking views of the sea. Condos are available in 1 and 2 bedrooms, or a 2-bedroom with loft units. Each room is breeze cooled with ceiling fans, though some units have air conditioning upon request. Free wireless internet is available in the lobby, swimming pool area, and other areas of the resort. The hotel is home to three swimming pools, five barbeque grills, two tennis courts, connection to the Kona Country Club which has a 36-hole golf course, and is connected to a public beach which is well-known as a spectacular snorkeling site on Kealakekua Bay as well as the Puuhonua o Honaunau National Histori Park. Resort requires a two-night minimum to book a room and a three-night minimum on U.S. holiday weekends. While I did not stay at the hotel and only visited the resort during the day - I was impressed, even though I thought it was rather expensive. Cannot comment on staying in the condo-rooms, but the resort was A+. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Outrigger Hotel, Kona
Faerieworlds Winter 2010 Celebration: “Bad Faeries” Masquerade Ball
Bad Faeries Masquerade Ball - Faerieworlds Winter Celebration 2010
Faerieworlds Winter 2010 * McDonald Theater * Eugene, Oregon * January 30, 2010 * 7:30-12:30 *
An amazing night following the Good Faeries Night at the 2010 Winter Celebration of Faerieworlds was the notorious “Bad Faeries Night”. For this celebration, it was by far my favorite of the activities spun for the three day event. The doors to Faerieworlds opened up around 7:30 pm, with several merchants in the hall hawking their steampunk and faerie wares; costumes galore with steampunk influence, and kids dancing in the theater awaiting the amazing acts. Blossomed forth from the infamously successful Summer Faerie Festival extravaganza … Faerieworlds … comes a rather new evolution of their festival - The Winter Celebration. Hosted indoors similar to a “Con” rather than a “Festival” … partakers of the merriment gathered together to celebrate Imbolc and the season of Winter with concerts at the McDonald Theater and a marketplace during the day with workshops, activities, and performances at the Lane Events Center in radical Eugene, Oregon. The second night of the event was the “Bad Faeries Masquerade Ball” held exclusively in the McDonald Theater. The Steampunk costumes were amazing. Adam Hurst did a fantastic performance warming up the stage afterwhich was taken over by Seattle’s Steampunk band “Abney Park“. Then Kelly and her bellydance troupe did an Amazing Dryad Imbolc Rite with mesmerizing tree spirits dancing in the moonlight. The evening was concluded with the ethereal and stunning performance of Zoe Jakes and Beats Antique. Simply Amazing Evening. Of course it ended too soon … just after midnight … but all good things must come to an end. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Zoe Jakes and Beats Antique @ Faerieworlds Winter 2010
Zoe Jakes and Beats Antique
* Faerieworlds Winter 2010 Celebration * McDonald Theater * Eugene, Oregon * January 30th, 2010 * 11:00-12:30 *
* http://www.beatsantique.com/ * myspace.com/beatsantique * zoebellydance.com * theindigo.net *
Bad Faeries Masquerade Ball couldn’t be more spectacular then to end with a mesmerizing and enchanting performance by Zoe Jakes and Beats Antique. One of my new favorites … Beats Antique with Zoe Jakes … what an incredible display of style, grace, tribal fusion, beats, and sheer art. Zoë Jakes & Beats Antique is a fusion trio of star American Tribal Fusion bellydancer Zoe Jakes teamed together with Electronic beats DJ’s/musicians David Satori (laptop DJ remix artist; guitar; violin) & Tommy Chappel (laptop DJ remix artist; hand drums). Zoe Jakes often dances with the “Indigo Belly Dance Company” with Rachel Brice and Mardi Love. Zoe specializes in ATS (American Tribal Style) and Tribal fusion mixed with hip-hop pops and locks. Beats Antique has produced a digital EP called “Contraption Vol. 1″ composed of glitch-rock, dub, world music, electronic compilations. Since ATS and Tribal fusion are the styles of bellydance I’ve been learning over the last year, I was in utmost awe to see one of my favorite dancer inspirations. This was my second time I’ve been blessed with seeing them perform. Major kudos for the mesmerizing and enchanting performance! Completely blessed my night. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Official Photogallery of Zoe Jakes and Beats Antique can be found at the Faerieworlds web site.
Faerie Fashion at Faerieworlds Winter Celebration 2010
Faerie Fashion By Flux Magazine
Faerieworlds Winter Celebration * Faerie Marketplace * Lane County Event Center * Eugene, Oregon * Saturday, January 30, 2010 *
Talented student writers, interviewers, and photographers came to the Faerieworlds Marketplace to get a grasp on what exactly Faerie Fashion is. Here in this Youtube video is a few interviews from participants attending the event. The article can be found at : http://www.fluxstories.com/2010/03/fairies-do-exist/. I was honored to be one of the handful selected for interview and photos. The youtube and video encompassed only the daytime costumery and fashion that didn’t embrace the phenomenal steampunk influenced threads in the evening of “Bad Faeries” Masquerade Ball. The artists and interviewers did a great job and wrote a wonderful article that you can read above, or below where I’ve archived for my own collection of memories of the event.
Fairies Do Exist
http://www.fluxstories.com/2010/03/fairies-do-exist/
Text by Bronwynn Manaois, Video by Rachelle Hacmac.
As I walk through the arches of the McDonald Theatre, I hear the words to an old Joe Jackson song in my head: “I stepped into, I stepped into, into another, into another world.” I am instantly bombarded by grown women wearing fairie wings .Men in top hats and goggles look as if they have just stepped off the time machine. Elven points adorn the ears of spritely looking fellows, and the ”bad fairies” come dressed in black lace and even blacker stares. Angels walk the hall with dragons, and witches cackle from the corners. Everywhere is mischief and magic. This is Fairieworlds. The Bad Fairie Masquerade Ball, to be exact. I had prepared accordingly. Knowing that anyone daring to venture into this territory without the proper accoutrements would be scorned, banished, or maybe even pixie-led, I dressed as my natural world alter-ego, The Mobster Fairie. Complete with a gun belt on my thigh (packing only a child’s water-gun, not loaded) and a flapper-esque dress, I was allowed to pass through the realm undetected.
The Green Man, the archetypal embodiment of nature in British-Isle lore, whistles at me from his perch on the stairs. Fairies fix their wings in the bathroom mirrors while gnomes and goblins imbibe in the bars. It’s like a night-club for the otherworld, a scene straight out of Labyrinth with David Bowie singing to me from the balcony. I feel right at home.
For the past four summers, I have attended the Fairieworlds festival held outside of Eugene. The three-day event takes place on Lughnassah, an ancient Celtic rite marking the midsummer point. My own Celtic heritage is greeted warmly at Fairieworlds, where tribes of people gather from throughout the nation, and even the globe. This convergence of like-minded folks is a haven for those who choose to practice ancient, nature-based religions and for those who simply like to dress up.
The wild popularity of this gathering is matched by one in the rolling hills of my hometown, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. The 20-year-old Spoutwood Farm Fairie Festival has been host to tens of thousands of nature spirits each May Day. The Spoutwood Festival is held on the first weekend of May, which is believed to hold the budding, fertile energy of all that is Spring. Both festivals draw international Celtic and mystical musicians, and a Renaissance fair-like atmosphere of artisans. The canvas tents, resembling a village from a time long gone, boast handmade treasures. There’s pottery, jewelry, fantasy art, and delicious food. Fairie wings, Pan horns, and clothing to satisfy even the sauciest wench pour from old wooden chests. There is a sense of history and place, but also of magic. The pennants flying in the breeze above the encampment whisper ancient secrets.
Revelers come to these festivals to pay homage to an old way of being that still has merit in our modern world. The dizzying pace of communication is slowed to a natural rhythm. Some folks attend as a sort of spiritual retreat, a respite from the everyday, a safe place to worship.
Here, imagination is alive and well and creativity is celebrated. You can come as you are or what you dream to be. Smoke pours from the stage as Zoe Jakes, the bellydancer accompanying Beats Antique, takes the stage. Her presence is electric, the crowd is mesmerized by her undulations. The music, a mix of ancient and modern, transforms the theatre into a swaying sea of glitter and feathers.
Prior to this, sound pirates Abney Park called the fairies to the dance. With an eclectic mix of instruments, they set the wheels in motion. The highlight of the evening was the mid-winter ritual. The symbolic crone passed her light on to the sleeping trees, whispering the prayers that stir them to life. The Green Man and storyteller Mark Lewis teach the audience to become like the rain. We listen as we start with a soft pitter-pat and swell to a deluge, sweetly finishing like the dew. There was magic that night, made through the intentions of the winged crowd.
When I step outside of the theatre, something in the air shifts. Maybe it was the wind caused by the rushing cars. Maybe it was my overactive, story-telling imagination. But maybe, just maybe, there was something else. As I walk down the city street, a soft mist forms, and I notice the first tiny buds growing on the trees. [see article link above for full text and photos ].
Windsor Ruins (Mississippi)
Windsor Ruins
Bruinsburg, Mississippi
One of Mississippi’s most fantastic secrets, hidden away in the swamps out in the middle of nowhere, are the ghostly remains of the Windsor plantation. The Windsor plantation was built from 1859-1861. The plantation was built, owned, and first inhabited by Smith Daniell who only was able to live in the mansion for a few weeks before he passed away at age 34. Smith Coffee Daniell II was born in 1826 as a son of a Indian fighter turned farmer. He was married to his cousin Chatherine Freeland (1830-1903) who bore him three children. Construction of the mansion cost him $175,000 to build it which included its furnishings. It was built with slave labor. The construction was designed by David Shroder. The original grounds were well over 2,600 acres. Atop the mansion was a roof observatory where Mark Twain would muse over the Mississippi River that inspired his works of art. Twain compared the plantation to a college instead of residence because of how large the plantation was. This observatory was also home to signal equipment that would notify Confederate troops of Yankee movement. The mansion was fixed with elaborate furnishings in its beginning, hosting wrought iron staircases to get from each of the four floors. Tanks resided in the attic to provide water for the baths within. There was 25 rooms with 25 fireplaces, a basement with a school room, dairy, commissary, doctor’s office, and plenty of storage rooms. The main floor held the master bedroom, a bath, 2 parlors, a study, a dining room, and a library. The third floor were 9 more bedrooms and an additional bath. The fourth floor held a unfinished ballroom. The roof held an observatory. It was a distinct portrayal of Southern Life during its era. The Mansion saw a bit of death - from Smith Daniell’s death to a yankee who was shot in the front doorway. Other deaths took place when the mansion once served as a union hospital and observation post during the civil war. Its involvement in the Civil War as a hospital saved it from being burned down to the ground during the Civil War. After the War it was burnt down during an accidental fire involving a misplaced cigar on the upper balcony during a house party on February 17, 1890. After the fire, it was never rebuilt. Parts of the mansion were scavenged, and even the wrought iron staircase found its home at nearby Alcorn State University. All that remain of the ruins is the foundation and the 23 - 30′ high Corinthian columns, some pieces of broken china, a set of wrought iron stairs, and portions of the balustrade. The Ruins have become famous, especially by Hollywood, as it was used as a setting for films such as “Raintree Country” (1957) and “Ghosts of Mississippi”. The property is now owned and maintained by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 23, 1971. The Ruins are located 12 miles southwest of Port Gibson off Highway 552. Also of interest in the area is the Ghost town of Rodney. A must see for any history buff. Rating : 5 stars out of 5. Visited 6/22/2005.
Abney Park @ Faerieworlds Winter Celebration (1/30/2010)
Abney Park
Abney Park
* Faerieworlds Winter 2010 Celebration * McDonald Theater * Eugene, Oregon * January 30th, 2010 * 9:00-10:30 *
I’ve always been a fan from of Abney Park’s music, but this was an absolute pleasure to see them live, especially at Faerieworlds where the Faeries and otherworldly folk seasoned their outfits Steampunk style. The audience was absolutely rocketted and propelled with intense energy. A Seattle based band - Abney Park to many is the definition of “Steampunk” music. They since about Steampunk culture - about “A time that we wish had bee, a time where airships waged war in the skies, and corsets and cummerbunds were proper adventuring attire”. They definitely have a unique decorative style and influence. I was quite impressed. A goth/industrial band that resides in Seattle, Washington enchanting their audiences for over 12 years. They portray Steampunk airship pirates as crew members of the HMS Ophelia, a British Navy Zeppelin rampaging the skies in the fictional worlds influenced by time travel, Jules Vern, and the Victorian age. The band is not only flavored by Steampunk and Techno-Time travelling pirate and gypsy dress, belly dancers, and astounding outfits but armed with post-apocalyptic clockwork guitars, swashbuckling flintlock bass, middleastern instruments, violins, and Tesla powered keyboards. The Band consists of Robert “Dread Captain Robert” Brown who does lead vocals and songwriting playing the darbuka, diatonic button accordian, jembe, harmonica, and other instruments; teamed with Kristina “Angel” Erickson also on vocals, with navigation, keyboards, and flair; Daniel C on bass and pocket guitar; Jody Ellen on vocals; and Nathaniel “Two Sheds” Johnstone on guitar, violin, mandolin, bouzouki, and other such instruments. This band is absolutely fabulous and multi-talented. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Abney Park