IASA #2-41

Crosstrek now has 40,000 miles on it.

 

Most Mai'a Surviving

I checked late this afternoon to see how the maiʻa were doing since we are having steady winds of at least 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph all day; more expected over the next couple of days. I was concerned that the tallest one would be blown over by the winds. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was still standing upright; especially since the 2nd tallest one flopped over a few days ago in much milder winds. 

Still standing tall!

I also took a closer look at the 2 that had flopped over earlier. A couple days ago I noticed that the one that had been blown over recently had a small live sprout poking out through the dead outer leaves. 

The day it blew over, 11/11. Note small sprout near bend.

The very next day after blowing over, 11/12. (I moved the stalk over to give it more room.)

This evening.

I peeled back the old parts of the one that had lost its top before being planted out & found that it, too, had a live portion trying to break through the dead leaves. Both were doing a whole lot better than I expected.

A hopeful sign, 11/11.

Very encouraging, 11/12.

I am totally amazed at how much its grown since I freed it from the dead material.

The one that was just a portion of the base of a mature maiʻa with 2 keiki buds still has not shown any signs of life.

Still looking the same as the day it was planted.

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Cindy, Mim, & Vener!

IASA #2-40

One of Garyʻs sand sculptures. (Photo by Irene)

 

IASA #2-39

Had lunch with WA friends Gary & Irene at Seafood Bar & Grill.

 

Ballot Accepted!

I got a text this morning saying my ballot had been received & accepted. Hūlō! I went to BallotTrax & found the verification as well as the "I voted" digital "sticker", which was quite disappointing. I was expecting something more Hawaiʻi-themed. And also a lot more colorful.

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Dean, Cheech, & Geoffrey! A me ka Hauʻoli lā Hoʻomanao Makahiki 15 e Judy & Keith!

I Voted!

Did you? Hawai'i is an all mail-in ballot state. Ballots must be received at the Office of the County Clerk by 7 pm on November 5th, so they tell you to put it in the mail by the 1st. Or drop it in a ballot drop box by 7 pm on the 5th. Rather than trust the mail, I opted to put it in the drop box; for the North Kohala district the box is located at the Kapaʻau police station.

Since the drop box is located right outside the main door of the police station, & the opening is very narrow (about half an inch), I don't think there will be any problems with people trying to start a fire in the drop box like in Oregon & Washington. I thought that was pretty cool that the Oregon election officials had planned for a potential fire in the box & had a fire suppression system inside the drop box. Apparently only 3 ballots were so damaged that the voter needed another ballot. The 2 boxes in Washington also had fire suppression systems but one malfunctioned & several hundred ballots were lost.

(HNN screen shot)

I also signed up for BallotTrax so I can make sure my ballot is received at the County Clerk's office. Right now it only shows that I have received my ballot. I don't know how often they unload the box & take the ballots to Hilo.

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Manu & Aimee!

Maiʻa Is Growing!

The first maiʻa that I planted has sent out 2 new leaves! So at least one of my maiʻa plants is doing well. I planted it about a month ago; which was about 3 weeks earlier than I planted most of the others. I hope at least one of the others hang in there. If they don't I might think about getting another variety that looks & tastes different so I can tell them apart easily. The ones I planted are Apple Bananas.

Two new leaves!

Planting day, September 26, 2024.

On my way home from the airport last night there were several firetrucks near Milepost 12. There was also one police officer. I saw no other cars so I think it might have been a small fire by the side of the road.

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Diane & Rei!