Way made clear with the Executive Order that restored Schedule F

14

I am praying for our human family and the ways we engage in our world. I am seeing Wisdom guiding each decision we make. I am seeing Imagination blossoming with ideas that support us in resolving the challenges we walk through together. I am allowing Life to move me into action with love

13

We live together on this tiny planet in this vast universe, a part of this fragile system. I believe in our connection to each other and to all that is greater than each of us. I have faith in the sacred that I have come to believe is woven through it all.

12

There are many opportunities we, as individuals, have to conserve our resources.

11

Here in Hawaii it is so easy to compost kitchen scraps by throwing them out into the banana trees which feasts on the nutrients returned to the soil. We have gotten much better at eliminating food waste and using all that we have.

10

We use real cutlery, plates and cups and hand wash with minimal water the vast majority of the time (we do use a dishwasher when available). We carry reusable shopping bags with us, including one I treasure from my dad’s hometown which my Tante Rieki gave me.

9

One thing I know is that we can all do what we can to conserve resources. Having lived in a truck camper full time, I have learned to conserve the water I use. I have carried a water bottle around with me for many years which allows me to conserve plastic by not using single use water bottles.

8

Water is at a premium in CA. There are many stakeholders including its citizens, farmers, ranchers, and industry. there are many regulations divvying up the water among all the stakeholders. It is yet another complex and nuanced situation that will need our shared effort to resolve.

7

Water in some of the hydrants in some of the areas did dry up due to a stress on the infrastructure due to high demand which overwhelmed the system.

6

In spite of words to the contrary, there is sufficient water in the reservoirs which supply the area on fire. In fact, the reservoir is at a higher than normal level for this time of year.

Higher temperatures have increased evaporation causing the area to be extremely dry. Add to that the Santa Anna winds which have approached 100 mph and you have a tinderbox. Unfortunately this one occurred in an urban area damaging or destroying over 9000 structures.

4

According to NOAA, areas of severe drought have been taking place in the Western US for 12-48 months. In LA, where the current fires are raging, it has not rained for 10 months. We are in the third month of what is normally the rainy season there.

3

We notice the stress on the fruit trees here on the farm. Drought conditions are a normal part of the weather pattern here. It has also been observed that drought duration and severity have increased over the past century. It stirs up even more gratitude that there is still bounty to harvest.

2
What a gift to receive and nourish our bodies with such fresh and wholesome food.

Conditions here on the Big Island of Hawaii are moderate drought. Rain is normally common each day for a short period of time. We have been here 9 days and had rain maybe twice.