IV. Preparation

The Day began like any other day in Hawaii. The weather damp, but doable, and the day, spent in family time with Aunty Kalei, a ritual of purpose.

A group of our San Diego family sat waiting for their ride at the tiny Hilo Airport, as Toho'ma manuevered in to pick up Patrice and Leilani. Toho'ma then circled Aunty Kalei's car out to the main drag, destination… Ken's Pancake House. When all the facilititors for the Hawk WindWay had gathered, we feasted together as family, as both Hawaiian and Apache traditions accept as proper protocol. When we started voicing intent around the circle the most remarkable voice of unity honored our group, as had been hoped, power to the directions and beyond. Other groups around the world held us in contained alignment for the Spring EarthRenewal Festival.

I noticed that the rest of our group were ready to walk Pele's lava flow. They responded to the call after only slight prodding. I am still learning to translate Hawaiian protocol into Apache understanding. I closed the door to the car as the rain began a heavy descent.

It was difficult to see on the dark, rain-varnished road and the ritual driven Kahuna in the first three cars we followed were on a time crunch. It was impossible to see landmarks and by the time we caught up, we were in the gate, which was to close within five minutes. When we finally parked it was an intense moment. Aunty Pahia, Ilyana, Floris, Camille, the kids, Ilyana's sister, Leanala, Patrice and Leilani, Toho'ma and myself began our march across lava rock by the light of the full Hawk Moon. Two in our party walked with walking sticks, however, their chanting lifted all our feet, andit was apparent that this evening was setting the tempo for the next three days.

Our Kapuna's - living ancestor - message thrust true into my heart, and I felt the dance lift us to the sky, and then felt, rather than heard, warm song on my lips, eyes, ears, heart, arms and body. The purpose of the Hawk WindWay was what I was seeing, I, and the others were proving our worthiness to Pele. A sacred life realized, as we saw the awe of her sacred touch upon the land and sea. At last we live lives of beauty.

Quickly I skipped rocks once liquid fire, and remembered the snake venom that once ran through my veins. I soon realized the messages written in the sky above, and stood patiently waiting for the women of Hawai'i to complete their offerings. They were quite supportive of our ceremonial intent to be kind and gentle with one another, bridging and speaking the truths of earth and family, and cast prayers on the wind blessing our union. I stood, watching signs, and opening my heart and thoughts to silently pray for our family anchoring both sides of the bridging of the creating beauty.

When the lava shifted drastically in our direction, we began our lofty trek back to the car. A wide grin spread across Ilyana's face as she offered a chant worthy of Pele's gratitude to the male guardians of the site, who kept the people safe, thanking them as we held space in honor.

If there had been anything unworthy in our intent, Pele would purify until sacred lesson would be seen. Not only did this reveal itself many times over, but it rendered this group that walked the lava flow a tightly forming alliance that live true to their inner most beliefs. We recognized broken hearts were to be healed, there was possibility of sacred tradition accepted with respect. I would simply continue to make Relations and do so according to vision. I had no doubt of their truthful choreography, every envisioned hope was coming true. A pure heart would serve as protection. A proof of actions, time streaming centuries, would function as the chanting and dancing of life renewed. I selected my assignment and quickly the crescendo energy joined us one to another. Mo'i squatted near by, fascinated by the human process.

Fire walking Pele, I believe, has a language all it's own. I piled prayers of appreciation and respect, while the confirmation progressed to a young Kahuna being recognized by her people, remembering how long ago I had dreamed this all. Puzzled, Mo'i watched me open gates of change, sort out ritualistic action and spread love carefully to enable unsually effective balance. Surely, she pondered, you have now understood your purpose.

By the time we retired that night, I had assembled quite a supply of premonitions. In conjunction with Toho'ma's insights, I continued the sacred preparation dreaming through the night, understanding how I might choreograph healing. Mo'i's council remained roaring sensation, somewhat rhythmic in the cadence of the assembling participants.

If there were only a way, I pondered, to dance the crackling energy into rainbow understanding. My wandering glance fell on Aunty Pahia's head lei... or crown... a baseball cap cocked over her face. Mo'i now became certain that I was completely spontaneous, as I motioned Toho'ma to sound her version of a conch... Spiraling Energy. The Kahuna stretched across the yard, started the morning procession to ceremony, and Aunty Pahia began the perfect teaching story of forgiveness, tolerance, and compassion.

The few deft movements of the experienced Elder gave the gathering a definate direction, immediately. With a deep sense of gratitude, I thanked Nakia for his sense of energetic build and Aunty Pahia had apparently received the exact message everyone needed. She took a tea leaf and blessed the circle, creating sacred space. I felt mesmerized as I watched my kapuna mark the energies beyond human consciousness.

Back in the circle again, Aunty Pahia began a hula parable and the wind suddenly changed direction. Elegant looking by any standards, her story took her to a prone position on the earth mother, and gazed up through the banyon tree canopy, and seemed to be wrapped in a light of many Ancients. After a bit of adjustment and enticing, she moved towards her altar and shared the elements of water… the Gatekeepers of the South.

The result of her teaching was most gratifying. Amazement flew, and smiles scattered during lunch, a visual prayer offered for a moment, and producing a returning warmth to the heart. More importantly, the fire of Pele's passion instantly responded with a mystery of Springtime… a sprouting coconut. Exultant, I sat and played with a piece of grass, quickly calling back to circle, it was time to continue. Mo'i was greatly eclipsed in purpose. For some reason, the cosmic council planned on pumping up the medicine power. True, it seems simple to call people together to facilitate, but to choreograph harmony is a medicine that had to do with experience. Maybe we will undnerstand the medicine as we use it.

After lunch, I could hardly wait to see where Aunty Kalei and Papa Reynolds' presentation would take us. The Twin Flames for God, represented the Spiritual Parents – sky and earth – in the direction of the West. When their benevolent counsel displayed true wisdom, I lovingly began to pray for their recent marriage. The concern for my loving relations glowed brightly, and the women would eventually hold counsel, the success of the future lies with our women's faith. I turned to place stars and constellations in my time charting, the horizon calling my attention to the rhythmic flow of I'o… the hawk in flight. Instantly Papa was in front of me, dribbling the water blessing on my head.

Miracle… the banyon tree… called the participants to receive a message from the powers of Above and Below for future generations. By the Seven Sisters, we're here! The messages were the spirit of Earth Children confirmed, and finally an intense glowing was seen and felt. Quickly I removed the sacred items from beneath the tree and reasoned my love of earth. I motioned to Alan to grab some of Aunty Kalei's things, and rolling a mat, tied it for transportation, as dreams and visions continued to be revealed. It was necessary to think twice, as it felt like everyone was walking in between. I removed the chairs and mats for the evening, and then raised my face to the gentle stream of rain, as I had see my Elders do a million times over in my life. A blessing rain.

There was exhausted celebration at the end of that first day, and the moon came from behind the clouds as Toho'ma told the Hawai'ian story of Creation, as documented on her tee shirt. The sudden overwhelming love between the four stargazers, Patrice and Leilani, Toho'ma and myself, cracking all veils of separation. I was thrust into the memory of running Klo-hada… white lightning… through Patrice during one of the afternoon healings. The stargazers had held her as Aunty and Papa facilitated giveaway of fear.

How do the Thunderers decide when to utilize me in this manner? Could it be that they wriggle my love to partially altar vibration with the rhythm of lightning, wind, and elements before flowing into a person in pain? I am but a little sacred rhythm with intense reverence for that which I serve.

Three more times in the coming days, klo-hada healings would unfold. Once we became firm in our convictions, we returned to the center of earth in exultation. But then, as I tapped my heart space, the rhythm of earth returned fuller freedom of spirit. In contact, I sat on the dark bedroom floor, idly listening to the messages and prayers running the gridline. I was again an envelope of protecting love, and here again the necessity of personal experience invited by prayer and blessings. Maybe even this date, sent months in advance, climaxes in benediction.

Just then, one of the sleeping family stirred. I recognized the koki frogs were quite. Most days and nights are filled with the songs of this intruding force, not natural to the island. I had noticed one's egg pouch in a chair that day as I had set up. The fort was not a welcome thing to my hania... family of adoption.

"Kamaka," Mo'i startled me, "I have seen the completion of the ceremony."

On her palm were several picture drawings, reassurance, of the finest proceedings. Mo'i looking at her palm, thought she had never seen such a splendid example of evolutional painting. It must envelope us in mist.

I looked at the graceful dignity of the morning to come, and was overwhelmed by symbolic destiny. I seized the deja-vu moment, and in a sudden emotion, wiped traces of joyful tears from my face. The Kahuna dreams were cooperating for this significant occasion! I climbed into bed, greatly impressed, to be connected, while Toho'ma slept, unaware of what would come.

Ancient cultures, sincere understanding, I prayed. Thinking spiritual communication can replace dysfunctional relations with complementary listening!

Ukehí, for all I love. I was dozing now, and drifted in and out. A slight energy jot called me to wakefulness. Me, or an earthquake?

Mother's influence, I mused. The traditional patterns are rocking the house! I feel us all as one.