On January 31st I went to visit Guanyin at the Honolulu Museum of Art. She has been sitting in "royal repose" for over 1,000 years, and I always feel like she is expecting me; I'm always welcome to drop by and talk story.
A perfect start to the new year: fire works at midnight in Waikiki; a blessing and good fortune from local Shinto Shrine that opens from midnight to 3AM on the first day of the year;
then couple hours sleep before heading out to view the sun rise at Makapu'u.
With the sounding of conch shells, traditional chants and the driving energy of a Taiko drum we (many thousands of us) watched as the sun rose over Molokai 40 miles across the channel, and Haleakala more than 100 miles away. Sunrise photo by my friend and professional photographer, Debra Casey. (You can't get a shot like this on a cell phone.)
There can be no doubt that these islands are sacred, entitled to reverence and respect.
Then, to make it perfect, whales were swimming and spouting just past Makapu'u lighthouse.
