Somewhere Over the Rainbow!

Rainbow over Hanapepe River

Happy New Year! This year began with a bang of sorts for me as I fell ill with a tenacious Intestinal Bacteria. I had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance( first time ever) and spent four days with vital fluid being returned to my body via intravenous.

Doctors and I could not figure out just where I picked up this bacteria but we attributed it to the massive rain and runoff. Somewhere I touched something and hadn't washed my hands before transmitting food to my mouth. I hadn't gone in the ocean due to the brown water advisories so must had been while beachcombing picking up shells.

I am so grateful for the fantastic care that our local small hospital, KVMH provided and the quick response of the doctors.

I see this as a symbol of this year to come for me: take good care of myself and live a healthy lifestyle with gusto!

Indeed there is a pot of golden opportunities at each end of the rainbow!

Salt Pond Kitties

"Bootsie" Sentinel of Salt Pond
click on photos to enlarge

There is an overwhelming population of feral cats on this little island in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. How to remedy this situation is beyond my concept at this point. For the last seven years I have been one of the committed feeders of two colonies located at the edges of Salt Pond Park on Kauai.

There is the morning feeder, Dorothy whom has been feeding these kitties for over thirteen years. She willing shares that there are several kitties that are ten years or older...the "originals" she fondly refers to. She has them all named. Dorothy is in her 70's.

"Mama Pinkie" over 10 yrs old

Tom and Debbie share the evening feeding with myself. They also are the couple responsible for catching and releasing hundreds of kitties for the last four years. After the kitties have been spayed by our Human Society, who donate the cages and traps to catch them , they then donate Veterinary services for neutering these feral kitties. After caring for them during recovery, Debbie and Tom release them back into the colony.

The population with this colony was working well, as we all managed to keep the colony numbers right around 20 kitties. Then about four months ago, people started dumping not one or two kitties, but LITTERS and pregnant mama kitties.

The colony quickly grew to over 40 kitties with half not neutered. Debbie and Tom worked diligently capturing dozens to have neutered. The ear is clipped as to recognize those ones fixed. They were both warriors of the evening, gathering up as many as four at a time to take to the Human Society for their alteration, and care for them over night and release back to the colony the next day. Mahalo nui loa Tom and Debbie for your LOVE and caring of these kitties!

"Georgie and Tuffy"

A couple of weeks ago this all began to change. An emotional solution was unfolding. The Salt Makers of Hanapepe posted this.

This is what I drove up to for the evening feeding. Kitties in a disarray of confusion. All dishes and containers of water were removed. All shelters and palettes-gone too!

A gathering of folks involved met with the Human Society and it was decided we had to remove the entire colony, stop feeding and capture to bring to the Human Society. Because many of these kitties had been in the colony for several years they were tame. so maybe for some it could mean adoption, but, sadly for most, it means an end to their life.

There is not one solution to this growing problem. Feral cats and feral chickens are a part of this island. People need to be more responsible for their actions with the animals they have and do not want. Dumping an animal is punishable with a $500 fine. IT takes only a minimum of $5 to have your animals spayed at the Human Society.

IN MEMORY OF
Big Boy Samba
1995-2010

Relay For Life

April is one of THE most important months in my year. The other months are the months each of my sons were birthed. But APRIL is the month, that great challenges and changes seem to occur throughout my life.

It was the month , TEN years ago, that I finally made my life-long-dream move to beautiful Kaua'i. Achieving this move to the heart of the Pacific Ocean changed my location and fulfilled a dream. Moving here increased the nature of my health and my well being, as well became an incredible inspiration for my artwork.

April 1986 was the month and year I had first been diagnosed with cervical cancer. I was only 36 years old and in the midst of a cumbersome divorce from my love of my life!

So every April since my move to this welcoming island I RELAY !

RELAY here on Kaua'i is a celebration of life for 12 consecutive hours. We begin at 6pm and relaying all through the night, until 6am. There are great festivities with music, great local food , education , and support. The Luminaria ceremony is very moving and emotional.

If you click on the link RELAY for LIFE 2010 you may make a donation for my support or to purchase a Luminaria in memory or support for a loved one in your family who has been touched with the battle of cancer.

♥Mahalo nui loa for all the prayers, HOPE, donations and the fantastic support and love for Relay 2010 and for all the years past!

Women Artists of Kauai Holiday Fine Art Festival

Women Artists of Kauai Holiday Fine Art Festival and Fundraiser, Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hanapepe United Church of Christ

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with a Fine Art Festival and Fundraiser for Nana's House featuring the Women Artists of Kauai. Highlights of the festival include live Hawaiian style music by Kenny Kealoulu Keliihoomalu, painting demonstrations, one-of-a-kind pieces of art, reproductions, gift items, and ornaments. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Nana's House which is a family support center provided by Child and Family Service, serving West Kauai.

Participating artists include Robin McCoy, Rocky Riedel, Aweepano Vivian Satow, Dava Shepherd, Anna Skaradzinska, Helen Turner, Jana Viles, Schar Freeman, Marionette, Lilian deMello,and Leslie Tribolet. Gallery quality work will be available for sale in a variety of styles and mediums including paintings, photography, jewelry, glass, clay, mixed media and more. Face Painting by Aunty Stephanie will be offered as well

Admission to this fun, family event is free. The festival will be located at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall which is right next to the Hanapepe library and across the main highway from the Hanapepe fire station.

For more information contact Marionette at 808.631.9173 or visit the Women Artists of Kauai website.