I’m writing this post on August 14th, where the temperature outside is going to be well over 100°; yesterday it was 103°…and our heat pump/ac unit has quit on us. Sheesh. Of all times for it to go out!! Even though I called our a/c company on Saturday, they can’t get out here till tomorrow afternoon. I’m grateful they’re squeezing us in, though. Our house faces makai (west), and the late afternoon sun comes beating hot and heavy through our windows, even with the Mylar shades pulled down. The bedroom/bathroom also face makai, and by midnight, when I took a cool shower, it was hottest of all. Even just after my shower, I got sweaty. It was hard to get to sleep.

As I tried to fall asleep, with the fan blowing hard on me, I reminded myself that I was in my own home in my own bed, and not in a shelter. I was grateful that my ʻohana is safe, that I wasn’t living in the midst of devastation, that I hadn’t experienced the kind of horror that all those in Lāhainā are going through. I’m grateful that my friends on Maui are safe. My heart is still so heavy about this terrible tragedy, and expressing gratitude helped me get to sleep for a few hours. I sent in two donations to Maui Strong in memory of my beloved friend, Carol, and also in memory of my dad, who used to work for the Kahului Railroad.

It helps to post beautiful photos here, too. But I do so knowing that people on Maui, both in Lāhainā and Kula, are still suffering.

August 5th

We went for a short drive to find out where the music was coming from; I parked on a side road and though you can’t really see much, you can enjoy the music!! Viva la música!!

When we got back home, I asked Nolemana to go into the barn and get some treats for the pīpī. When they saw us down there, down they came! Nemmine my maniacal laughter. It was a good end to the day.