Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden

Vol. 5, no. 4 Summer 2004

SOON! At a Bookstore Near You

I'm extremely pleased to announce that my book, Super Simple Guide to Creating Hawaiian Gardens, has been accepted by Mutual Publishing of Honolulu. It represents all my knowledge and experience in building Hi`iaka's Garden -- and a whole lot more, such as a chapter on invasive species and one on insect identification and natural controls. We'll sign a contract soon, and the publication date is unknown, but I'll announce it in the December newsletter. I learned so much in writing it, and that has increased my ability to take better care of my own garden and begin practicing more organic pest control and fertilizing techniques. David Orr, Director of Botanical Programs at the Waimea Valley Audubon Center on Oahu, reviewed my book and wrote this dust jacket quote: "This is a very useful book with a gardener's joy shining between the lines. It's chock full of new ideas and old ones worth repeating. It's refreshingly written without a know-it-all approach: instead, it's by a humble novice with her curiosity intact. Her grateful attitude includes a sense of wonder at what nature provides in return for a bit of hard work."

Special September Tour

On September 15, a group of students visiting the Big Island with author, healer and spiritual mentor Connie Grauds toured the Garden. Connie is president of the Association of Natural Medicine Pharmacists and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at UC San Francisco. She is also director of The Center for Spirited Medicine, which is dedicated to preserving the rainforest's medicinal plants and indigenous healing practices. After 10 years of apprenticeship with shaman don Antonio Montero Pisco in the Amazonian jungles, Connie has been appointed to carry on his teachings. She teaches and lectures on natural and spirited medicines, and offers spirited medicine healing workshops in Peru, Europe, and Hawaii.

Practicing Zen Buddhism

For four wonderful days in August I returned to one of my very special places: Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and hot springs in California's remote Santa Lucia/Big Sur mountains. I first visited this idyllic, remote valley in 1969, just one year after the San Francisco Zen Center acquired it from the previous owners, who tried to make it into a swinging resort. Ahhhh... it's still the relaxing, serene and spiritual place I remember from my many visits.

As a guest practice participant, I awoke daily at 5:30 a.m. to the sound of a cowbell, rung by a runner who covers the length of the small valley. After quickly brushing the teeth and putting on warm, dark colored clothes, I then participated in Zazen (meditation and service) in the Zendo (the Buddhist equivalent of a church). Then for 3 hours I worked in the kitchen preparing gorgeous organic vegetables for the other guests, students and residents. Afternoons were free to enjoy the pool and hot baths (and take a nap!). It was truly a unique and enlightening experience... one I shall never forget, but a Buddhist I am not at heart!

News of the Ohana Cottage

The cottage is so successful right now I don't have a vacancy until March, 2005! When the snowbirds return in the fall, they typically stay longer than other tourists, so I have several month-long tenants lined up for their winter getaways. If I had 2 or 3 cottages I could rent them all out during the winter months, but no such luck. And one cottage is all I can handle time-wise and work-wise, with everything else I am involved in. However, the Healing Arts Gazebo is available for the "back pack set" at only $125 per week. If you like roughing it with an outdoor bathroom and cold water shower, the Gazebo is an incredibly affordable vacation home.

Now Offering Workshops at Laulima Community Garden

I've scheduled two classes at Pahoa's Laulima Community Garden in October and November and hope to continue in the future. On October 9, I'll be teaching about herb gardening in paradise, and on November 6, with the help of René Siracusa of the environmental group Malama O Puna, I'll cover some invasive species to be aware of and how to get rid of them by natural methods. This offers a great venue for my teaching and is in a convenient location for residents of the south Puna district.

Winter Internships and Hawaiian Healing Retreats

Please spread the word about my Live and Learn at the Garden internships and other educational events at the Garden coming up this winter. Complete info is on my web site, on the Learning Center page.

New Blue Crescent Students Study in the Garden

Susan Perri's Blue Crescent School of Botanical Medicine is in residence at the Garden for the entire month of October, with Susan occupying the Ohana cottage and holding classes in our nursery area. The course of study is very technical and medical in nature, with an emphasis on the systems of the body and appropriate herbal therapies for treating each of them.

Another International Student

I was pleased to host Lee Herriott, a flight attendant with British Airways, for a Live and Learn internship in September.

Recent Plant Additions

Thanks to the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in South Kona, I have added and replaced these native Hawaiian plants this quarter:

Lama, the Hawaiian persimmon

`Ihi, a native Portulaca

Kului, an amaranth (replacement)

Hala pepe, a dracena (endangered)

Pa`u o Hi`iaka, morning glory family

Kolomona, a flowering native tree

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