Our Hawaiian trip is drawing to a close. We have adventured to an active volcano, hiked to waterfalls and visited both white sand and black sand beaches. The Big Island is a study in contrasts of land and water and wind. As we biked through Volcanoes National Park, steam vents warmed us and rain cooled us. We rode detours around places where roads used to be, and wandered through a lava tube. The beaches are the stuff postcards are made of, with warm waters and pounding surf for those of us who love the tactile along with the viusal! And through the lazy days in this most beautiful corner of the island (the North Kohala coast), the home shared with us by the good people of St. Augustine's is our home base for exploring -- from coffee farm to macadamia nut factory, from the city of Hilo to the Waipi'o Valley.
The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist was flavored with Hawaiian culture as well as St. Augustine custom. "Aloha" is the community greeting; priest and Lay Eucharistic Ministers wear leis (as well as all guests!). People in the congregation pray the parts of the prayers of the people, and the doxology is sung in English and Hawaiian. This is a joyful community with much welcome and great food at fellowship hour -- just like St. James'.
June 11 was a state holiday here -- King Kamehameha I, who united the islands of Hawaii in 1810, is honored on this day with his many statues graced with multitudes of leis in his honor. The celebration included hula competitions and parades.
Before we leave Hawai'i, we will go to a lu'au and sample the beaches one more time!
Aloha nui loa,
Cathy
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