A Beautiful Day on the Waianae Coast

I got to go out to Waianae last week for a workshop with some opio (youth). It is rare that I go out to the westside as an east-sider so when I get invited - I am always very excited! It is such beautiful aina. No tall buildings to block the uka or the kai so you can really see the ridges, points, valleys, and beaches. You can also see the sun!! Oooooh is that west side sun HOT! In preparation for the workshop I learned from old Hawaiian Language newspapers that the story of Maui gaining the secret to fire from the alae birds happened in Waianae. I bet Maui said it was a manu, but he really just started the fire by leaving tinder outside for an hour. Just kidding. Working with opio is always so rewarding. They have so much ahead of them - the chance to be with them and remind them of their great value and potential as keiki o ka aina always gives me chicken skin after.

I hope I get invited out there again soon!