Where there's a will, there's a way to... Hawaii

Another adventure and so time for another blog. As short a trip as this is, it's value has been grossly disproportionate. Hawaii really is as amazing as people say. I'm glad I got the oppurtunity to experience Hawaii first on the big island, as it really does give a great first impression. Expecting that most of Hawaii had been turned into a tourist trap, it's amazing how such an amazing place can maintain such independence from all that. Something about constantly seeing the world around you destroyed and remade by a volcano breeds a distinct character and perhaps enough threat to keep the world of big investment at bay. From arriving at the nearly empty airport in Hilo, the island's largest city, I knew I had made a great decision in coming.

Really starting things off right, I decided to hitchhike to the Kalani retreat; hitchhiking is a comfortably common practice on the island. I ended up being given a ride by the founder of an amazing little ecovillage on the island. Before heading to Kalani, I went to go check out their village Cinderland which was started on a lava field, with all tents and living spaces built by hand and by almost entirely salvaged and recycled materials. They reclaimed the land from the lava and now it's full fledged agri-jungle, off the grid in every respect.

Kalani has a similar spirit at it's heart, but has manifested in a much more modern and accessible way. The grounds are gorgeous with a nearly constant cycle of meditation, yoga, and dance classes, as well as group trips to local spots of interest. Meals are amazing and shared and the entire community experience is something I think the whole world could use more of. Exploring giant lavarock tide pools against a backdrop of powerful surf and amazing green sand beaches were just some of my first adventures and I'm sure I have a few left to come.

As always, food and beautiful scenery, though amazing, take a backseat to the connections to amazing people I keep finding. More than anything, the chance to connect with new friends and reconnect with old will keep me travelling. I have found that there is no limit to how many absolutely stunningly amazing people you can meet. The more I travel, making new family, the more hope I have for the idea of global citizenship and the human family.

As in most of my journeys I have yet again found communities which are open, caring, and healthy, not just in the personal sense, but as models in the search for how to heal the growing wounds in our cultures and communities. That coupled with somehow picking up a bunch of new tricks and flips with the change of scenery, as well as picking up some hopefully lifelong friendships, I'd have to say it's been a good week.