tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105927032009-05-30T09:37:44.865-10:00A regular dose of Kalani - Heaven on Earth.Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-79343949444227224932009-05-11T13:47:00.002-10:002009-05-11T13:51:18.263-10:00

by Veronica RainsSo I’m leaving Hawaii. Leaving the tropical weather, the smiling faces, jungle attire, nude sunbathing, my beautiful, handsome, strong, loving boyfriend. I’m leaving it all behind so that I can work (hopefully) at least 50 or 60 hours a week and live with my mother. I’m moving back to my hometown of 14,000 people, complete with two grocery stores and two dingy bars. Believe

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-58149358200728228542009-05-04T12:16:00.002-10:002009-05-04T12:33:17.113-10:00

Since I arrived at Kalani a little over a month ago, I have felt a surge of creativity flowing through me. Perhaps it is Pele, the Goddess gracing this island, the alive landscape, the people… I can say for sure that I am feeling joy and presence more than ever before and for that I am grateful. This is a poem written in an inspired moment~Grace bestows bounty to beautifyinner fires stoked by

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-13882651148168601362009-04-16T11:32:00.003-10:002009-04-16T11:45:38.393-10:00

by Ana Paola Luna LopezI want to thank you all for being part of my experience here. I know there is nothing casual so if we were here at the same time it was for a reason. I can’t know exactly what reason but I know it is a good one. As Pele, I went with the flow.You know I’m a city girl and it’s been a great experience to jump from the concrete and asphalt jungle to the real one here on the

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-82205075028961368192009-04-03T11:50:00.004-10:002009-04-07T09:20:55.668-10:00

by Lori RunkleThat Bewitched and Enchanted Space Between Imagination and IntellectPresenting ideas through language is something individual writers conjure first in that bewitched and enchanted space between imagination and intellect. The result is a sentence, paragraph or story that becomes a roadmap for leading readers to revelations regarding partially developed thoughts or fully blooming

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-13126484507357804702009-03-09T13:55:00.003-10:002009-03-09T14:12:18.838-10:00

by David GrothA recent Ohana night, our weekly-ish get-together, was the eagerly anticipated kava ceremony hosted by our dear Auntie Lynda and her husband Ama. Lynda is a wonderfully sweet and sexy lady who teaches us lauhala weaving (google it!) and Hawaiian culture. She's very knowledgeable and extremely passionate, and always lots of fun!Kava, or awa, is a root that is ground up and added to

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-53311079247770949642009-02-10T14:04:00.003-10:002009-02-10T14:16:22.413-10:00

Aloha Kalani,I was a volunteer at Kalani Honua in 1996 for three months. I don't think I ever thanked you for providing such a wonderful and intense experience, so "thank you!" now! It was life changing, and I can't imagine now, being 40, married with two little kids, looking back and not having the Kalani experience as something that helped shapewho I am. Hopefully when the kids are older, I

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-27988789051000483942009-02-07T10:05:00.002-10:002009-02-07T10:12:03.277-10:00

by Maureen BolandNovember 6th, 2008We drove in to Kalani in the dark—air was muggy, and there was a volunteer party happening. I truly haven’t heard that kind of sheer joy from adults in a long time (ever?) and instantly felt welcomed. Everyone here is incredibly friendly and gracious and Kalani is located on a magnificent tropical spot in the southeastern part of the Big Island. For two

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-18735601628047828622009-01-20T14:49:00.004-10:002009-01-21T14:12:58.747-10:00

by Heather Breckenridge.The short time I've been here has flown by, yet it seems much longer when I reflect on all the changes I've made and all that I've done here. The people, classes, and power of this island and this place has broken and shed old pieces of myself I didn't need. I've opened up new/old facets of myself: more creative expression, laughter, closeness to Creator, a deeper love for

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-598253405991596182009-01-20T14:32:00.003-10:002009-01-20T14:42:07.988-10:00

by Lori RunkleEach day at work in the landscaping department at an eco-resort on the Hilo side of the island of Hawaii, I witness greedy vegetation reach for the sun at the expense of what slouches and festers beneath the surface. As lava rock cracks and ohia trees and sword ferns emerge from the black ground, sensitive plants and morning glory vines root in the fertilizer of fallen leaves and

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-16766559889112935702008-12-30T14:04:00.002-10:002009-01-06T09:50:43.050-10:00

by Vicka MargulisI lay down in my a-frame, at noon, thinkingI have to leave kalani in a weekAnd the hassle and cars and people and the impressions of the mainland came flooding into my mindAnd I felt myself tensing up and worrying about the future, about dealing with my family about the job marketAnd then it began to rain and the red curtain of my a-frame began moving gently with the wind,I

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-63671809238365293592008-12-17T10:01:00.002-10:002008-12-17T10:13:27.310-10:00

aloha, I was a guest with the Hawaiian Temple Bodyworks retreat this past year, and I fell in love with Kalani!!! I just wanted to comment on your "Happy Huladays" email...how wonderful! It is exciting to hear of all your new projects, and I plan to contribute whatever I can...no matter how small an offering. Kalani TRULY did give me heaven on earth, and helped me to EXPERIENCE something I have

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-8466659084774995952008-11-28T10:15:00.002-10:002008-11-28T10:23:48.752-10:00

by Paul Matheraloha, it feels like ages since i was there!!!i just watched the new volunteer video because i miss the place so much, and it was phenomenal. i really, truly, and sincerely appreciate all of you very much for the reality you create at kalani. i know that every Monday you all get together and inspire one another...and i am not one for the lime light. However i just want to say;when i

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-40547612233080004832008-11-19T15:04:00.002-10:002008-11-19T15:20:10.219-10:00

Hello beautiful people,This is a long blog so save it for a time when you are bored at work! 5 weeks has flown by filled with wonderful experiences flying in left and right. I was thinking about how I would structure this email as I can see it being a long one, trying to highlight the finer details of this new life I am living. My usual day here begins at about 6am with a wonderful sunrise coming

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-65535277985496086632008-11-17T11:38:00.002-10:002008-11-17T11:58:52.144-10:00

by Heather BreckenridgeHer steam seeps through cracks beneath my feet.I feel her heat, her presence, her obsidian self.a loosening, a spiraling,a channel of new growth, rebirth,rebuilding, renewed.My spirit cliff-- sharply God-carved --caves to ocean depths below.A loosening, unfolding fire!She is my past, my future,my holy present:Middle earth breaking free —-Creation from nothing,from

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-78710044613735951642008-10-22T15:18:00.003-10:002008-10-22T15:26:13.324-10:00

by Jim LarsenRecently I found myself with the unexpected glory of being named Kalani Volunteer of the Month. I wrote this in my journal as part of my Volunteer of the Month chronicle.On Saturday, October 11, 2008 I was sitting on the lanai eating breakfast and I was drinking coffee and then I was eating an English muffin because I like English muffins and then I was drinking orange juice and I

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-89552446549627743502008-10-17T11:52:00.002-10:002008-10-17T12:02:46.383-10:00

by Charlie BonninOh, Kalani, an interesting place.Where every turn,Reveals a new face.The balance that shifts over,And over again.Just when you had realized,You had made a new friend.It's time to go, New places to be.For some go back to their old life,Their old reality.Don't mourn their departure,And don't mourn your leaving.Just take what you have learned,And store it for safe keeping.For a

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-36895937451319811822008-10-13T15:34:00.001-10:002008-10-13T15:36:35.843-10:00

The love of life shines in me like billions of stars.Each star a person whose soul described the divinity.As I look at each brightly light its luminosity outshines its name.All I see is the uniqueness of its interaction with my universe.Each one thinking they hide something from me, but they cannot.The place where we are one cannot be hidden.I see it as clearly as I see my hand because it is my

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-66007035992778535262008-09-22T11:04:00.002-10:002008-09-22T11:07:36.378-10:00

by Ayesha GallionAyesha Gallion, here. I was an artist-in-residence at Kalani from July 28 to August 7. I wanted to write about Maya, one of your staff members who made my experience and research very memorable.She was instrumental in introducing me, through gentle nudging, to emerge from my writer's solitude and find a balance through socializing more as well as partaking in some of the

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-28776601999522090132008-09-13T10:18:00.005-10:002008-09-13T11:18:24.424-10:00

by Richard Koob, Founder/DirectorAloha all!Kimo, I and some staff will be dancing hula in today's EARTH DANCE Global Prayer for Peace event at Kalani, and Toni and I will be participating in the "Elders' Council".Kalani's missionis to provide a fun, safe and educational retreat village which encourages ALOHA love for life in each person's own deepest way through participation in abundant nature,

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-9557845855221240162008-08-16T12:17:00.002-10:002008-08-16T12:22:04.648-10:00

I cannot EnglishI unintelligible English languageBut Kalani's people are very kindlyKalani is heavenKalani is paradiseKalani people is supremeI love KalaniThank you very muchMahalo nui loaArigato Go Zai MasutaI'll be backEddie (a recently departed volunteer from Japan)

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-23686568962825335162008-08-05T14:47:00.002-10:002008-08-05T14:51:57.001-10:00

by Jim LarsenSometimes finding yourself can happen in unexpected ways. I found an aspect of myself recently in a way that was really quite surprising. It happened in the kitchen. Not very long ago during our pre-shift kitchen meeting, one of the shift leaders told a new volunteer, "We have a lot of fun in the kitchen. We listen to music and shake our booties." Now, mind you, I'm just a good ol'

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-72381464556387151072008-07-14T15:02:00.003-10:002008-07-14T15:48:04.250-10:00

By Jim LarsenFind yourself here. That's what it says on the coffee cups here at Kalani, not as a mandate, but as an invitation. Spend time here. Understand yourself. Get to know the real you, away from the pressures of the social role imposed on you from whatever part of the world you came here from. Anybody allowing themselves the opportunity to do that will undoubtedly free themselves of the

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-36842887317388795052008-04-04T14:39:00.003-10:002008-04-04T14:49:18.314-10:00

Long term Kalani-ite Kristal Ornellas recently made a trek home to Massachusetts and stumbled upon her journal from her very first stint as a Kalani volunteer. What she found on one of its pages reads as follows:THE RULES FOR BEING HUMAN1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for the entire period this time around.2. You will learn lessons. You are

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-64683711397199761532008-02-27T09:28:00.004-10:002008-02-27T09:36:42.216-10:00

A few years back, my son Evan, asked me when I had known he was gay and how I had felt at the time.....My response was that it had never been an issue. "Color blindness" in all ways was something I wanted my kids to grow up with......Evan was always unique --- yeah, a bit weird; he took out the girls who didn't have dates for school dances; he saw the world with unique vision; he had a thoughtful

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10592703.post-74261411927873085782008-02-20T15:24:00.002-10:002008-02-20T15:32:08.536-10:00

1. What brought you to Kalani? What's your story?What brought me to Kalani was a plan of Perfection I could never have orchestrated myself. Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 15+ years I was totally immersed into my family, my high-tech job, my community and the myriad of roles and activities, which accompany those things. At the very end of a yearlong medical treatment plan (

Kalani Ohanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17072111853457468955noreply@blogger.com0