Aloha dear members of our 'ohana family,

At a time when everyone is concerned about the environment, and about doing their part, Kalani has embarked on a program of growing greener.

To reduce our carbon footprint, we are building a 50 kilowatt solar panel installation with 350 solar panels. The electricity generated from our new facility will not only help the environment, but save us money we can use for all the wonderful workshops and volunteer scholarships we offer.

Will you help?

If every member of our 'ohana donated just $25, we'd be well on the way to our new facility. Every bit helps!

And since Kalani Honua is a 501c(3) non-profit organization, your contribution is fully tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt.

(And your name will NEVER be given to anyone else - you're 'ohana, after all!)

To securely donate online, just click this link and we're on our way to a greener future:

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22397


Mahalo for your support, and for spreading the spirit of aloha wherever you are!

Kalani staff and volunteers


All of us here at Kalani wish you a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for the new year to come.


a hui hou!

by Beverly Mendoza

I've always been hyperaware of synchronicity ever since I read my
first New Age book, The Celestine Prophecy, at the ripe old age of
nineteen. I started to look at the moments of my life for deeper
meanings. I started to notice coincidences and instead of just
shrugging them off with nonchalance, I wondered why these moments are
converging in such a way. I also started to look at encounters with
people from the random man sitting next to me on the train who for
some reason wants to go on a monologue about something for the entire
ride to a soul-mate type of encounter with a fresh new person --- I
started to realize that no connection or meeting is random. That
every person we encounter every moment has some message to give us.
Be it from the most basic you're got something on your face to the
more profound message that will change our lives forever and
everything else in between, there is a reason we are connecting at
this moment and it's to our benefit to figure this out. Despite the
cheesiness of that book, it really raised my consciousness. And
immediately, once I started to look at life this way, it flowed
better. It was easier to live. Grace was abundant. Spontaneous acts
of synchronicity were so fun to experience. Signs were everywhere.
And not only were my encounters with people and circumstances more
magical, I became very aware that I too hold the responsibility of
being as clear of a channel for the Universe as I can to live from my
instincts and from my heart so then I am ready at any moment to
present to whoever I am with, in whatever moment I am existing in, a
message, a secret, a connecting thread that will keep the flow of
life going as smoothly and magically as possible. And I felt
embraced by the Universe more than ever. Feeling embraced by and so
connected to the Divine Source --- shoots, that's like the most
intoxicating feeling ever. It's like being part of the band, it's
like touring with The Beatles.

And when you're disconnected --- it feels like you're touring with
Fred and the Polka Twins. And since then, I've fallen off the wagon
many times. My mind narrows, my ego becomes tyrannical and takes over
and I get blocked in all aspects – mentally, physically, emotionally
and creatively. I get so self-absorbed that I am incapable of seeing
the big picture. I fight the current to gain some control only to be
utterly thrashed in the water. Before I moved to Hawaii two years
ago, I was touring with Fred and the Polka Twins. Life was not easy.
Life was pretty lame. I was so engaged in the mundane conformity of
post-collegiate twenty-first century ennui, my existence seemed to
slowly begin to combust along with the rest of the menagerie we see
on CNN. I was living from my mind, not my heart and not my instincts
and I went a little crazy. Some folks would call it a nervous
breakdown. I like to call it a nervous breakthrough. I had a three-
year writer's block that didn't seem like it was going anywhere and
despite the surface appearance of my life, I was pretty miserable.
And so I bailed and traveled West (a last ditch effort to save myself
without medication or psychoanalysis or self-destruction) and landed
on the shores of Oahu. And ever since, I've opened myself up to this
magical thinking again. And life began to flow effortlessly.

Now I'm on the Big Island and it's even more magical. It works even
faster. Pele has a lot to do with it, no doubt. She's an extremist
just like me. I was told that she abhors the repression of passion.
If you try to quiet your heart with your neurosis you're in for a
metaphorical spanking. These days, Pele plays the stern teacher for
me. An auntie that pushes you off the cliff into the ocean and waits
for you with a towel when you surface and crawl back to the shore. I
give in (to my detriment) to my passions and desires these days. I
can not help myself. I deconstruct the signs with the focus and
precision of a scientist. And I'm not only howling into the wind from
the intensity of it all, but I let myself be blown in whichever
direction it goes. It's been particularly windy here on the Hilo
side. The Kona winds are blowing our way. The bamboo trees and
coconut trees that surround my hut are dancing ecstatically,
thrashing my tin roof, blowing leaves and flowers all over my porch,
knocking paper cups all over the place, tangling my hair into a
knotted mess as I step out into the world and blowing change into all
of our lives.

I'm leaving Kalani for a month or so. I'm disengaging so I can finish
this long awaited thesis of mine. Being the social addict that I am,
I needed to go to an island where I know no-one. The signs pointed to
Maui. From meeting Chris who lives in Maui (from the We Network film
crew) and realizing we're from the same neighborhood in Chicago and
went to the same art school, from having this Deeksha (oh please read
this) book fly off the shelves at Borders into my hand one fated day
when my job at Miyo's (the best Japanese restaurant in the world)
cancelled my lunch shift on me and I found myself drawn to this
particular spot on the bookshelf, from not being able to give my van
run away in the early morning only to realize that I was meant to
drive one of our shamanic guests from the UK, Claire, to her scuba
diving appointment so that she can tell me about a man named Luke who
just arrived to Kalani via the volunteer program to give deeksha
blessings out to us ("but I was just looking for a deeksha
practioner!," I exclaimed), to looking up deeksha centers on the
islands and finding out that the one center is in Maui, in the town I
happen to be staying in with Chris (for he is generously housing this
poor writer so I can finish my thesis), from finding out through my
research that the woman who co-founded the deeksha center in Maui
shares the same name as I do. They are minor coincidences, yes. But
strung together, they are petals on the road we can choose to follow
in the spirit of manifest destiny. I'm leaving out one thing too.
Shoots, I might as well disclose it all right? I've fallen in love
here at Kalani. I'm in the thick of it. Falling in love is a
beautiful thing but it's dizzying and it has spun me and taken me
through the very human messy trial of it all and I am ready to
surrender it to the Universe. I am ready to disengage from my desires
and dreams and all my identities and let them go so that I can be
emptied out to simply exist in the reality that we're in with a
little less pain and full acceptance. I can't articulate deeksha.
It's all theory right now. I've barely begun the journey and am in
the process of packing up and prepping to be lost in the world of the
stories I'm writing while appreciating every moment this week with
the people I'm connecting with and with all experience.

I watched the last showing of "Into the Wild" last night at the Place
Theatre in Hilo. It was profound (anything Sean Penn touches I love).
Signs have also lead me to make plans on going to Alaska next summer
with some people I absolutely adore. Meeting Chinmayo (a mid-wife
from Alaska and a guest at Kalani) and Mavis (our artist in residence
at Kalani from Alaska), meeting Todd and Chris Angel (two boys coming
from Alaska), again all separate connections but when strung together
points the way. When Christopher (aka Alex Supertramp) has eaten
the poisonous plant that will eventually kill him alone in the magic
bus, as he is trapped in the wild, he writes his final sentence in a
book he was reading, "Happiness is only real when shared." I realized
last night in this old beautiful theatre, being the social being that
I am, I can never disengage from people or society for too long,
despite how deep into the wild jungle I go, I can simply disengage
like a bird would in a windstorm, let the winds blow, let it take me
for a ride. But the grace of it all shall be shared --- the deeksha,
the love, the inspiration, the flight, the poetry.

"Empty Vessel"
from Deeksha: Fire From Heaven by Kiara Windrider

Was there ever a longing
That was empty of truth?
Is the bee ever drawn
To a nectarless flower?
Then, why bang my head on walls?
I have identified with the "seeker"
When all that I am
Is a vessel to be emptied!
I am so full of myself,
Pictures, expectations, longings-
What happens if I surrender it all?
True surrender is an act of grace.
Surrendering even the need to surrender.
In letting go, I am already filled.
In giving up control,
Every dream I have ever had
Finds its home.
So hard, yet so easy,
It takes a million to realize
That it only takes an instant.
I've hit bottom in the bottomless pit of desire.
I am ready for you now, beloved Friend.

by Mike Bailey


I voted for George W. Bush. Not once, but twice. I'm from a conservative Christian town in the mountains of Virginia. The monotony of my life was overwhelming. The same cup of coffee, the same bagel, the same shirt and tie. I didn't smile enough. I needed a change.

I felt common. But, Kalani was uncommon, and I feared I would never fit in. I was afraid of people I thought I would never understand. I was afraid to be open. I was insecure and defensive, and I judged you before I knew you. At times my wall wouldn't let you in. I was afraid to put my foot on the EMAX dance floor. I feared I would look silly. My soul heard the music and longed to explode into feverish dance. My brain talked me out of it. I envied those who were braver than I. I was surrounded, but felt alone. I was afraid of what you might think of me. Real men don't cry. I'm a coward.

Risks are never easy, and change doesn't always come fast. But, I remembered how I was as a child. I remembered how I dance when no one is looking. I remembered the joy of Christmas morning, and innocence of youth. I felt like letting go of all the burdens the world told me carry on my back. I wanted ignore the voices that said I wasn't good enough. I wanted to tell you what you meant to me. I wanted to love with reckless abandon. It scared me to know you could see right through me. I wanted to be more like you. I wanted to be me.

You and I became friends. Sometimes you couldn't tell if I was joking, or being serious. Sometimes I couldn't tell. You and I went to the mountain top, saw the sun set, allowed the rain to fall onto our skin. Each conversation, each hug, each soft kiss, removed a brick from my wall. You were real. This was not a dream. I have the power to change. I have the privilege to change what I can. Change is my responsibility. Love changes hearts. I must remember you.

Three months passed. You were a part of it all. Even if I didn't know you well, you were a part of it. An internal revolution occurred. A war between the dreamer and the cynic. The cynic looks pretty beat up. The dreamer has had a second wind.

I danced my last ecstatic dance. You saw me smile and you smiled back. No words necessary I read your mind. I wanted to dance so hard my feet would hurt. I wanted to remember why my feet hurt. I danced with fire. Sometimes the flame came from the staff, sometimes it came from inside. They both burned so bright.

I hugged you goodbye. You managed to squeeze a final smile from my lips. We were strangers to start, but friends as we part. I am sad to go, but am happy to have met you. I realize what you really mean to me when I know you won't be in my life every day.

I waived goodbye from the car window and honked my horn as I drove from Kalani. I cried in my car, and cried all the way to the airport. Real men can cry. I have 16 hours on a plane. I dread being alone with my thoughts for that long. I wish you were with me to talk to. It's so quiet without you. The world I return to feels black and white. Kalani gave me a paint brush. The colors are brilliant. Time to start painting. The pages of tommorow are blank. I have a pen. Time to start writing. Will you take my hand?

It was never about fitting into Kalani. It was about fitting Kalani into me.

The following is the poem I shared at the Ohana night. I hope you enjoy it!


Michael's Poem

From Virginia to Kalani, what would I find? A place I could really be me, body and mind?
A frames of ants, ecstatic dance, kirtan chants, hold onto your pants.
I had found a place of open hearts, open eyes, and open doors. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
Surrounded by nudity and gay men I thought I was in trouble.
I just wanted to go home to my safe, conservative, Christian bubble.
But, all bubbles burst and worlds collide and this time I decided I'm not going to hide.
Because you can't live life like a game of hide and seek.
So hours became days, and days into weeks.
My mind began to open like a flag unfurled. I was experiencing all of this strange new world.
Capoeira moves, hip hop grooves, nature walks, opening circle talks
I witnessed people being true and free. I witnessed what sometimes the eyes don't see.
Although there were many moments from August to November, surely it is you I will
Always remember.
A full lunar eclipse, volunteer trips, hula moving hips, songs from Kimo's lips.
Perhaps it was Gerard in the café, going to Hilo bay, or watching Charlie's DVD's on a rainy day.
I saw human tenderness between Kathy and Kasi, and got dressed like a woman with a little help from Bree.
Or what about talking story late on the lanai, or the crystal clearness of the night sky.
I saw rainbows and moonbows, went ecstatic at EMAX, and saw the passing of the torch when we said goodbye to THE Max (Fathom).
Hemi Sync and mystic thought, I even got little naked. Who would have thought?
But not all days was I happy and glad. I'm know I made mistakes that made you mad or sad.
And although there were storms in our spiritual weather, my only regret is you….that I didn't know you better.
It's only now I truly understand.
I have gay friends, straight friends, friends from far away lands.
So now I pray for you to God above.
And I bid you farewell, Aloha, from Michael with love.

Love,
Michael

by Beverly Mendoza

"It sure as hell doesn't feel like Thanksgiving," Todd said today as we were driving down the Red Road, windows down, Al Green playing in the background, eighty-something degrees, sun just roasting our skin, typical day off, doing errands in Pahoa.

We're both from Chicago and Thanksgiving in Chicago is more like: driving your car through crowded streets, shoppers everywhere getting their Thanksgiving Sale on, Christmas music ad nauseum spilling out of every store and restaurant, scarf weather, boots weather. Not a bad scene either, we reminisced.

So this is my first tropical Thanksgiving with this new group of kids and I couldn't be more happy and thankful for all that has happened this year. For all the lessons, for all the tragedies, for all the moments of redemption, for all the people I've met, for the embrace of this beautiful island and I couldn't imagine celebrating this holiday elsewhere.

We're all away from our families this holiday. And as one of my great friends, Marco, said today to me, "because we're in the jungle and so far away from the mainland and our families, holidays like this bring us so much closer to each other, we cling on."

There's something about surrogate families. The family we create outside our bloodline. The people we choose to love and surround ourselves with are truly reflections of who we really are. They are our mirrors, they become our foundations, they become the fire within us to live the best and most compassionate lives we can. They come from all over the world (especially at a place like Kalani which seems to just be magnet for super cool folks) and imagine all the stories and fates and destinies that have to line up to get us all here at this time, in this moment. From a fated conversation to a lost job to a random article read in the New York Times – whatever the catalyst was that sparked the idea to come to Kalani, it is all connected to this larger and more profound web that is constantly being spun, that is constantly connecting us.

Todd is going to cook some turkey on the grill tomorrow which he helped build for Kalani years ago when he was here last. His name as well as this Japanese kid's name, Ichiban, is carved into the cement. We bought the wine and the beer from town today and we're pretty set. We're going to set up Thanksgiving games on his lawn and have it be an all day affair. Corn hole (aka bean bags), football, Frisbee, dodgeball… you name it, we're going to play it.

I'm also going to take this filmmaker, Alli, a guest here, who is doing a film on Kalani volunteers, on a real estate tour of A-Frame land tomorrow. We're going right after breakfast and I'll be playing host. My TV days have begun, apparently. As my friend Claire Cooey (aka Cooooooooeeey) says, "who am I?" It's her signature motto when we wake up every morning and have our "morning meetings" about the day before and always there is a story which makes us both wonder "who are we?"

I took a guest from the Gaia group on a real-estate tour yesterday of A-frame land. She was just walking across the lawn and wanted to take a peek. So we A-frame hopped. She owns a healing center in Australia. She's angelic --- long blonde hair, deep blue eyes, a flowing white sundress on, she practically walks as if she was levitating. She asked me what brought me here.

"Magic," I said. "I got a random email from who knows who on the day I was laid off from my job. I went into my office and wondered what the hell I was going to do next and there in my inbox was an email about Kalani's Volunteer Program. I still don't know to this day who sent it to me, to my work email of all places. It was so illogical, it was so random, I knew it was the next adventure. "

She asked if this was enough for me. If I was happy. That day (yesterday) I spent the whole day hopping from the sauna, to the pool, to the hot tub with my friend Marco and Chris Angel. We soaked up the sun, we made English Breakfast tea, we drank lots of water and I swam around the pool with my snorklers under water for hours pulling Marco around in his round float with just one finger linked to his. I did back strokes away from the reclining six-ton Buddha in our meditation garden existing between these beautiful bamboo trees. I've had the most wonderful conversations all day. I was told that this gorgeous man named Reese, a master of martial arts, covered in tattoos, with the lightest bluest eyes you just want to dive in and never surface, his friend told me in the sauna, "I'm not supposed to say anything to you, but my friend over there has been admiring your beauty all morning. He thinks you're so beautiful." I've gotten and given at least thirty kisses all day and who knows how many warm hugs. I live in a great lil' a-frame. I love people so much that it hurts sometimes, but it's worth it. Yeah, I think this is enough for me. Yeah, I think I'm happy.

"What did you used to do in your past life," she asked.

"I was an editor for three magazines in Chicago," I answered.

"Life was insane. And now I am here," I said, as I opened my arms in the middle of the jungle encompassing "here" while Tangerine (our resident orange cat in our neighborhood) meowed at us as if confirming that yes, life is good, there is plenty to be grateful for. "Word."

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Wherever you are, I hope you are surrounded by wonderful people, lots of laughter, and love.

by Beverly Mendoza

The WE (Women's Entertainment) Network flew through Kalani this week and filmed our retreat for their Great Escapes show. They took shots of the sunrise, of Kehena Beach, of our food spread on the lawn, of our beautiful rain forest, of our weekly hula class with Kimo and Richard, and interviewed a few folks.

There was such a buzz that morning. Not only were the kitchen staff clad in Kalani shirts and looking extra-peppy in the morning, but the Gaia group brought in a lot of great energy with them as well, especially the fairies (the women with wings and fairy giggles that hug and kiss everyone they pass). The giddiness was so contagious that day.

I had a great morning relaxing by the pool and swimming and catching up with some girls at the pool, where small talk is simply impossible. We just dive on in. That's one of the greatest things about Kalani and the people that come through, the conversation always just cuts through the surface within the first minute. I've never had more interesting and honest conversation in my life. We recharged in the sun and talked about future plans and always recognizing how lucky we are to be where we are with the people we are with. We spoke of freedom and happiness and living in the moment and love. Wonderful poolside revelations.

My interview took place right after lunch. We set up a chair on the lawn with people frolicking in the background by the pool. As I was hooked up to the microphone and got situated it started raining (the first time that day as it was as clear and sunny all morning). We then had to pack up and move on to the tree house and filmed there.

Chris and Mike, the film crew from Maui, are cousins and couldn't be any more Chicago. Big burly guys, down-to-earth with a Midwestern teddy bear quality about them. Chris actually lived where I grew up in Chicago and even went to the same art school as me. Such coincidences at Kalani no longer surprise me because we chance upon such connections all the time here. Just a few weeks ago, the family of our resident surfer and artist, Roy Ruiz, was visiting from Canada. I was talking to his father over lunch and we just happened to realize that the one person he knows in Chicago (the ONE PERSON!) his cousin, is my godfather and father's best friend. Ana Lisa, our resident fashionista extraordinaire from Oakland, California, we share so many mutual friends, it's so weird that we've never met before Kalani. Everyone here is connected not by six degrees of separation but more like two degrees of separation.

The set-up took awhile. We had to wait for the helicopters to stop flying over Kalani. They had to get the lighting perfect. I sat in front of light for awhile, I felt a bit like chick incubating under the hot lights. We were talking story the entire time and I couldn't have felt more comfortable. But once the camera lights went on and the countdown began… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and Nathan, our Marketing Manager, started in on the question and morphed into Matt Lauer, the butterflies began to revolt inside my stomach, my brain, my throat.

"You're just talking to a piece of equipment," Mike said.

"And my mother," I responded.

I got through it. I don't remember what came out of my mouth, but it was a fun experience. We talked about what 'ohana means to me and about the volunteer experience. It's going to be so funny watching this on TV.

We had a wrap party afterwards at Todd's house. Todd is one of our chefs, also a Chicagoan. The film crew came. A few guests joined us and some volunteers and it was a great evening. Chris and Mike looked like they felt at home immediately.

I don't know if cameras can ever capture the magic that is Kalani. You have to just be here. You have to just sit by the pool and soak up the sun and look into people's eyes and have a laugh. Then you may begin to get it.

by Beverly Mendoza

We get a lot of New Yorkers and East Coasters that come through Kalani. You can spot this particular species in a heartbeat by their style and swagger. The easiest way to identify an East Coaster is by their accent of course. My personal favorites are Boston and Brooklyn accents. So when I stumbled upon Jaime on her first day on the lanai eating lunch and heard this Brooklyn drawl come out of this wide-eyed, curly-haired girl, I sat right in front of her and had lunch and got my New York fix for the hour. Her accent is as Brooklyn as you can get. And her energy was sooooo New York. I knew from the getgo that she's got quite an adventure ahead of her simply because she was just bubbling with this potential energy and I think I can speak for many people here at Kalani --- but it was so much fun watching her transform and get her jungle on --- a la Brooklyn. She never lost her Brooklyn swagger, she simply amplified it with this Jungle Jane sense of adventure and with her openness to experience it all and her ability to laugh at everything.

On her last night at Kalani, I passed by her on the lawn as she sat watching the stars. We hung out on my porch and talked for quite awhile about what a strange and wonderful trip it has been this summer. We talked about our adventures. We talked about happiness. We talked about love and lessons. We laughed so hard about the embarrassing faux pas we've committed throughout these intense whirlwind moments. And she said something I will never forget: "I'm just so happy here. In the past I always had to have some reason why I was happy. But here, on the Big Island, I don't need any reasons, I don't seek out any reasons, I'm just happy." Brilliant, right?

Q&A: Jaime

1. What brought you to Kalani?

During the past four years my outside world was right on track, just as planned. By age 24, I received my Masters degree in Mathematics and was granted tenure at the high school in which I was teaching. On the inside, however, I felt like I had already jumped off the track a long time ago and was living in a lonely, lost world. There was a voice inside telling me that there was more for me out there; more for me to see and do. Since I grew up in a low-income family, I was never able to travel. The idea of going to Hawaii was so foreign to me. I lived my life thinking that only rich people and honeymooners went to Hawaii. One day in January 2007, I had just finished reading the book, The Secret and I was ready to manifest my dreams. I remember writing down in my journal that I would love to go to Hawaii for at least a month. I was unsure as to how I would afford it, but I was determined to use the law of attraction. The next day I was messing around on the computer and I googled, 'Hawaii-Retreat-Wellness Center'. The first option that appeared was this place called Kalani. Even though I did not have the money to travel to Hawaii, I was tempted to just look at the website. And all of a sudden I saw the magic word…VOLUNTEER. I could not believe it! And the rest was history.

2. What was your first impression of Kalani? Of the Big Island? Of the people?

The best way I can explain my first impression of Kalani and the Big Island is by visualization. Ok picture this...its Monday the day before I leave to Kalani. I jump on the train and rush to the Bronx to do paperwork at my college. Then I race to Times Square for some last minute shopping, surrounded by huge buildings and bright lights. Lets not forget to mention that I almost got run over by a taxi at least three times, people were bumping into me because everyone's in a rush, and I got cursed out by a lady because I did not put my Metrocard into the slot for the train quick enough (all normal daily events for a New Yorker). Finally I am on a train back home to a loud, traditional Italian family who cannot fathom the idea that I am going to live in Hawaii since to them, Brooklyn is the best thing created since sliced bread. Ok so now it's Tuesday, the night of my arrival to Kalani and boom! I'm in the middle of a jungle with loud frogs, huge trees, and people who actually take a few seconds to speak between each sentence! The first thought that popped into my mind was, "What did I get myself into?!?"

3. What was your favorite activity out here? What will you miss most about this place?

Believe it or not…it was weeding! Even though it was a part of my job, it never felt like work. It was very meditative for me. During those hours I was able to reflect on my experience at Kalani and develop myself as a person. Not to mention that while I was weeding I was enjoying my two favorite pastimes: listening to music and tanning. J

4. What advice would you give first timers?
Be prepared to let the "old" you go. Many life lessons can be taught at Kalani if you are willing to be a student.

5. Top three items you couldn't have lived without on this island?

1) Ipod
2) Maui Babe
3) Hair Straightener. (There were some days where the humidity made me look that I had a birds nest on the top of my head!)

6. What was your most memorable moment here?

Not only was this the most memorable moment for me at Kalani, but it was the most memorable moment of my life! It was when I jumped off a 30ft. cliff into the water. Ever since I was a little girl, I had always dreamt of jumping off a cliff (I have always loved heights). When I was standing there looking down into the water I was like…holy crap this is high! But when I landed into the water and looked back up to the cliff, I had a tear in my eye and thought to myself, wow, dreams really do come true.

7. How have you changed? What imprint has this experience made on you?
It's amazing how the aspects of my personality that needed fixing were adjusted in Kalani. For one, I have a new sense of confidence. Before Kalani, I was confident in myself due to my achievements in school, career and running. Now I am confident in myself overall just because I am me. I have also become more courageous. I have decided to leave my teaching job in January 2008 to travel the world for the next five years. Besides getting the imprint of the Big Island in the form of a tattoo on my wrist J, the most powerful imprint this experience has made on me was realizing that life is too short and beautiful to feel any negative emotions. Just smile and dance!

8. Since you've jumped ship, how is life out there? How has the transition been back to mainland life? What next?

I remember the night before I left Kalani: I was outside by myself staring at the stars crying, because I was so afraid to go back to NYC. The idea of buildings, TVs, taxis and impatient people created a panic within me. Would I be able to survive? Will I keep my "Aloha" attitude when I go back? Contrary to my beliefs, the transition has been remarkable! When I got off the plane and waited thirty minutes to retrieve my bags, an observation made me bust out laughing…as I was talking on my cell phone, drinking my Starbucks Frapuccino, looking for the best possible route to run out and get the first yellow cab, I was tapping my foot with this expression on my face like how long does it take to get bags off the plane?! Right then I said to myself (with my Brooklyn accent of course)….ahhh you can take a girl out of NYC, but you can't take the NYC out of the girl! What I came to realize is that I can have both: a NYC attitude and my Aloha peace. I also realized that I want to continue my travels. After I complete teaching this Fall semester in Brooklyn, I will return to Kalani for a few months and I will then teach overseas in September (either Australia or Italy).

9. You know you're Kalani-nized when...

You extend your trip!

10. Most memorable lesson from Pele?

Detachment. Before Kalani, I was attached to many things in my life: family, romantic relationships, my job and New York City. Once I learned to let go of my attachments, there was room in my soul for future discoveries of new people and new places to explore. I am grateful to Pele for giving me loving peace, to the many beautiful people I met at Kalani who helped inspire and shape me, and to Richard Koob and his team for creating a sustaining my heaven on earth…Kalani.

by Beverly Mendoza

Ahh Betsey. Betsey is one of the sexiest ever to blow through Kalani. The first time we hung out was at Kehena Beach. It was my first time ever going to this black sand clothing optional beach. And it was as if the set was taken from some Hollywood movie. After climbing down this short cliff and turning the bend a man named Congo from Trinidad sat perched on a gigantic black rock. Two hippie kids from New York played their guitars while Congo carved a wooden stick with his knife and sang a sort of reggae that could have been categorized as the blues for it was that soulful. I couldn't believe the scene. That a world like this actually does exist outside the movies.

Across the beach were circles of people picnicking, laying around, talking story, laughing and throwing themselves backwards into the waves. Betsey took her clothes off immediately. She laid on the sand where the surf just barely reached her. And ever so often, a gigantic wave would come and crash over her, sending black sand everywhere. We did this forever. Just talking, laying on our stomachs, letting the sand just naturally exfoliate our bodies and letting the Ocean decide when to toss us about. It was a thrill not knowing when the big wave was coming and mid-story, we'd have a mouthful of sand. It was somehow the most hilarious thing ever. Betsey talked about experiencing bliss in the interview below. And so many moments just reeled through my head when I think about my own bliss. This day at the beach was definitely one of them. And Betsey's happy-go-lucky blissful spirit was surely the catalyst for happiness that day. She emanates this bright joyful glow always and that is oh so sexy, don't you think?

Q&A: Betsey Carney


What brought you to Kalani?

I was on a sabbatical and looking for a place to get away from the mainstream to do some yoga and some spiritual work.

What was your first impression of Kalani? Of the Big Island? Of the people?

My first impression of Kalani was Mary Lou who picked me up at the airport. I felt comfortable with her immediately and knew right away that if she loved the place (she talked about how she loved Kalani on our ride from the airport) so would I. The smell of Hawaii is such a welcoming and comforting smell to me. Every time I land, I feel warm and happy inside. As we drove down Route 130 and I saw the Ocean, I knew I was home. All of the people I met were welcoming, easy-going and happy… my kind of folk.

What was your favorite activity out here? What will you miss most about this place?

My favorite organized activity was yoga. I attended as many classes as I could; sometimes twice a day. In addition to that I loved the road trips with my co-volunteers to visit other places on the island. We always had so much fun. Meeting and getting to know people from such varied places while exploring and enjoying Hawai'i was simply terrific. I can honestly say that some of the happiest times in my life took place during those trips. I miss that immensely.


What advice would you give first-timers?

Just be and allow. And, take advantage of every opportunity you can.


Top three items you couldn't have lived without on this island?

1) Other volunteers 2) my job at Kalani 3) my open mind.


What was your most memorable moment here?

In the car on the way to hike to see the new lava flow (the cops wouldn't let us in). Mike, Jill, Jamie and I were "so happy, we couldn't stand it!"


How have you changed? What imprint has this experience made on you?

I now accept everyone and everything as is. I experienced what it feels like to be "blissed-out". I know now that it is my choice to be happy doing whatever I'm doing, wherever I am.

I've taken that back to the mainland with me and refuse to lose my "Bliss".


Since you've jumped ship, how is life out there? How has the transition been back to mainland life? What next?

See above. It took me about a week to become grounded and I realized that I love where I live on the mainland (Annapolis, Maryland) and I also love Kalani and the Big Island. I want to incorporate both places in to my life from this point forward.


Most memorable lesson from Pele?

It wasn't a lesson but a realization. She's a gracefully violent creator, and a sensual, dangerous, wise and beautiful sage. The realization she brought to me was to love and revere everything she has created. If not, I'd be disrespecting her, and since we all are one, that would be disrespecting not only every personality but more importantly what we all agree upon as our universe.

by caroline lamery.

You are hereby granted license to be your real self regardless of how the world sees you or your own distracted opinions of yourself.

Vous venez de recevoir la license d'etre vrai peu importe la facon dont le monde vous regarde ou la facon dont vous vous voyez a l'interieur ou a l'exterieur.

You are also encouraged to live out and indulge in your wildest dreams and explore the unknown cosmos without hesitation.

Aussi vous etes encourage a vivre pleinement et a plonger enntierement dans vos reves les plus fous. A explorer l'inconnu cosmos sans aucune hesitation.

This license open the doors for you to dance, laugh, cry, scream,celebrate and applause for your own beauty and the beauty of the universe.

Cette license vous ouvre la porte pour dancer, rire, pleurer, crier, celebrer et applaudir votre propre beaute et la beaute de l'univers.

Starting now you must agree to follow your passion and find satiety in all aspects of your life.

A partir de maintenant, vous devez accepter de poursuivre votre passion et d'etancher la soif dans tous les aspects de votre vie.

Valiantly seek-out your unique hungers as an opening in your search of your rare self, because satiety is the key to transformation, full embodiment and GOD realization.

Vaillemment rechercher votre propre unique faim comme une ouverture a la recherche de votre rarete, parceque satiete est la cle de la transformation, la realisation de Dieu et de votre acceptance totale de votre corps.

By express concession you hereby are empowered to feel the depths of your soul and being, to bring ahead full recognition of the perfect gift that you are.

Par demande expressive vous avez le devoir et le pouvoir de sentir la profondeur de votre ame et de votre etre, de montrer au monde la pleine reconnaissance du parfait cadeau que vous etes.

You are asked to shine your beauty as a full rainbow and spread your colors to ignite the beauty of others.

Vous etes priez de faire briller la beaute de l'arc-en-ciel que vous etes et d'etaler vos couleurs pour faire ressortir la beaute des autres.

From now until eternity you have privileged admission to live in excruciating powerful beauty for all to see.

A partir de maintenant et jusqu'a l'eternite vous avez le privilege de vivre en montrant votre extreme beaute a tout le monde.

You are given approval to become pleasure itself, to give and receive pleasure endlessly for all eternity to the limits of your perceptive ability.

Vous avez l'autorisation totale de devenir le plaisir lui meme, de donner et de recevoir du plaisir sans fin pour l'eternite jusqu'aux limites de l'habilite de votre perceptivite.

You must investigate the full dimension of inner and outer worlds with the greatest sensitivity.

Vous devez investiguer la dimension totale des mondes internes et externes avec la plus grande sensibilite.

You have full and absolute right to no longer carry the once accepted weight of inheritance and from now on be happy and feel whole as a unique perfect being.

Vous avez le droit complet et absolu de ne plus porter le poids de votre heritage que vous avez un jour accepte et a partir de maintenant vous avez le droit d'etre heureux et de vous sentir complet en etant un etre unique et parfait.

You are blessed and given permission to exist in your own chosen path and in your glory.

Vous etes protege et avez l'entiere permission d'exister sur votre propre chemin choisi et dans votre gloire.

Thank you for being.
Merci d'etre.

LOVE AND PEACEFUL HEART ON EARTH MY BEAUTIFUL....

"Eye Opening, conciousness expanding and full of warm juicy aloha!"

"Never have I experienced such acceptance from all so quick, I thank you all!"

"Fantastic food. Exstatic Dance is amazing. Great shift leaders in the kitchen. Watsu massage by Lynn ahhhh...."