Enriching the ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth
E Komo Mai - The Welcome
When synchronicity knocks, sometimes all you can do is welcome it with open arms...
Two amazing humans are selling an acre of land on the Big Island of Hawaii, evaluating proposals to find the right caretakers for the ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth, a huge 11-circuit Medieval pattern crafted from living bromeliads.
Originally built in 1999 and 30 minutes south of Hilo, this site is beloved by local residents, and the owners wish it to remain open to the public, preferably matured into a bigger retreat or B&B centered around this healing and enriching feature. You can read more about the property on the owners’ website.
How would access to a Hawaiian labyrinth enrich your life’s journey?
After a vibrant conversation about our long-term life plans, Doug and Christy submitted a version of this post as our proposal. We would like to welcome you into this discussion, in case it resonates with any of your future visions.
Nu’ukia - The Vision
A single seed holds many possibilities and many stages of growth. Here is one way that Christy and Doug see growth unfolding.
‘Ano’ano - The Seed
An initial financial investment for us would include the purchase price, estimated taxes, and improvements to support extended stays on the land, e.g., additional catchment for water, septic, solar, and internet. This would also be a time to connect with the labyrinth’s community, to sustain and improve events and experiences on the property. Making significant changes before building trust would be unwise.
Identifying caretakers to oversee the labyrinth’s needs--estimated at 3-4 hours a week of weeding, weed-whacking, and feeding the fish--and overseeing improvements to the land would be a priority. These could come locally from within the community or from interested partners willing to spend time here. For example, Christy’s job enables her to work remote, and she could spend a month or so at a time in the islands.
Kawowo - The Seedling
The physical hallmark of this phase would be in replacing the current post-and-pier structure with a more permanent house, and depending on finances and use permits, it could start within a year or so of the initial investment.
This would improve the experience of visiting caretakers, and the home could also be rented as needed to begin building references and defraying some costs. A structure makes certain kinds of events, like weddings or a labyrinth-oriented retreat, more of a possibility.
The conceptual hallmark of this phase is the formation of an LLC, a partnership between humans interested in joining their visions to ours.
Pua - The Flower
With aging parents in Georgia, Doug and Christy plan to maintain their primary residence in Atlanta. As this situation changes, our ability to spend more time in the islands opens up, and it sets the stage for us to relocate. A second chapter of significant investment would build additional facilities to house guests, offer services like yoga and dance, and host retreats.
While the initial chapters of getting to know the community will shape the flower that unfolds in this stage, we are taking inspiration from communities like Earthdance, which is dedicated to building awareness of sustainable living and community through classes and workshops, artist retreats and residencies, and community. Retreat attendees often participate in taking care of the buildings, land, and in meal preparation.
Doug’s background as a chef and his love of working in a community with fresh ingredients will contribute to the heart of this phase. Christy’s skills in labyrinth facilitation, circle shares, dance, music, yoga, and more bring programming and collaboration possibilities.
Hua - The Fruit
As Doug and Christy look toward retirement, we can clearly see ourselves in a community paradise. We wish to age in place, surrounded by trusted friends and collaborators, rather than shifting into a retirement facility. This phase may find fewer visitors as people settle permanently into the facilities built out previously. May the nourishment in which we will have invested return to sustain us and the beating heart of the community we have created.
It is our wish that the labyrinth’s sacred space remain open to the local community throughout this journey and beyond. As we approach the end of our lives, or should unforeseen circumstances affect us deeply, Doug and Christy commit to seeking another steward aligned to this vision to ensure that the community retains access.
Kahua - The Foundation
Part of the initial work of the Hui will be to align on a set of grounding principles to form a kahua, or foundation, for the partnership. The principles listed below represent a starting place, and we relish the opportunity to elaborate and refine them together!
‘Āina - Land
The interconnectedness of life, of that which sustains, comes from the land. Aloha ‘āina, love of the land, translates to deep respect for this interconnectedness. The ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth comes with a gift of land, one of the most sacred symbols of identity to Hawaiians. With this gift comes great responsibility to be good stewards of its spirit and resources.
This includes employing eco-conscious methods to care for the many living plants that form and surround the labyrinth and the incorporation of lā’au kama’āina, native plants.
‘Ohana - Family
Growing beyond blood relatives to encompass intentional family, ‘ohana comes from the root word ‘ohā, the corm of the taro plant, a starchy staple for the Hawaiian people. Not only do corms store resources to sustain a plant in adverse conditions, but they propagate new shoots. Creating a family that sustains and nurtures each other is paramount.
Lawelawe - Service
Caring for others, lawelawe, branches naturally from the ‘āina the labyrinth nestles within and the ‘ohana who nurture it. Labyrinths have been used to ground, center, and heal walkers across many cultures and traditions. Working with, living with a labyrinth means giving one’s efforts in service back to the community.
Akahai - Empathy
Often translated as “kindness”, akahai is the first of five principles of aloha set forth by Pilahi Paki and spelled out in Hawaii’s Aloha Spirit law, adopted in 1986:
“Akahai, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness;
Lōkahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
‘Olu’olu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
Ha’aha’a, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.”
The kindness offered to ourselves and others must come from a place of patience and intellectual humility. Pleasantness is not a surface-level agreement that sweeps issues under the rug to create the appearance of unity, however. The tenderness of akahai invites the deep listening that makes true empathy possible.
Makakū - Creative Imagination
Out of the grey and formless mists, a solid image wavers and stands. It takes vision, courage, and dedication to bring imagination to life. This community is dedicated to seeing and catalyzing the spark of makakū, in all its multiplicities.
Hui - The Partnership
Christy and Doug recognize that our vision for this ‘ano’ano will take a team! In this spirit, we propose a hui, or partnership, with several lesser levels of commitment to be created over time. Determining how to structure this is an area of active inquiry. Ho’ano means “to take shape”, and this is definitely a place where the final form has yet to emerge. How might you be interested in participating? What types of community are you interested in co-creating? What benefits might have value to you? Let’s talk!