3 posts tagged “hawai`i”
Chelonioldea: the green sea turtles that I swim with (I think they are the species green sea turtle, or chelonia medas) are some of my favorite swimming companions. Yesterday, on my sabbath snorkel, I spent several minutes hanging out with chelonioldea number 11864.
Just a number. How sad. It was like a prison number, or other such identifier. God knows us, each of God's creation, human and non-human, by name. Christianity believes that the God, whom some believed had a name that is unmentionable, gave us a name by which to know, intimately, that very God. Jesus.
My objective is to track down a name for my new friend, honu number 11864, so that in future snorkelings, I can say 'hello' by name. Is that not a way of celebrating the relationship we all share with the Creation in which God has placed us? And let Creation share in our life, too?
One of the parishioners with whom I work is a volunteer at Hanauma Bay, and I suspect he might know how to track down the nick-name that the scientists gave 11864 - the more personal pronoun than the scientific numerical is an opportunity to reflect on the relationship of life calling out to life.
Today is the feast of Emma and Kamehameha of Hawai`i. I'm looking forward to a Sunday tour, when I can learn more about some of the local saints here in Hawai`i.
The stained glass window (left) is found in the Cathedral church of St. Andrew, in Honolulu. The cross is found in St. Mark's church, of which Emma was a patron.
Their marks are found here in many ways, most especially in the Episcopal Church, who inherited their generosity originally bestowed on the Church of England, having invited them to the islands, following a trip to England by the royal family.
It is easy to forget that the 50th state of the United States of America was a monarchy overthrown with support from the USA, that great Empire from the East. As far as we could move westward and take territory for ourselves from others, we did. And I think sometimes, "do."
I've noticed several peace poles lately, a few in Honolulu. This one struck me because it wasn't near a religious place of gathering. It was by a bus stop, in a residential neighborhood.
A friend and I went to the KCC farmer's market today, and on the way back, stopped at Diamond Head Market and Cafe. While he was ordering breakfast, I (already having eaten) took a little look around and caught sight of the hills. Then, I noticed that white pole wasn't a normal street sign, but a peace pole.
We need more of them. Tucked in among the street signs, directional signs, way markers, traffic instructions.
We need more street signs, directions, way markers reminding us that we still must pray and work for peace, and that is PEACE not a myth, but a responsibility.
