Page 58 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2025_WEB

EDITORIAL

Hawaii-An Island Paradise

or more than 20 years I have designed materials, be grown here to be called “Kona Coffee.” On the grounds,
including Free State, for MNLGA. I thought I would no pun intended, is a lava tube, that’s about the length of a
Fshare some of my photographs of one of the most football field.
beautiful places I have ever visited. Hawaii.
On the big island of Hawaii is St. Benedict's Roman Catholic
As I design many of these pieces I am always amazed at the painted church, the painting by Father John Velghe were
beauty of many of the plants, flowers and places that many done in 1899. Without any professional training and using
of you have visited. This past March my wife, Cindy and I house paint on ordinary wood he beautified the church
took a seven day cruise out of Honolulu, Hawaii. Deciding with his paintings. The church overlooks beautiful and
that since we’re going that far, we may as well add on a few historic Kealakekua Bay. In Pu’uhonua o Hoanunau National
more days, which we did, to extend our trip to 2 weeks. Historical Park, brings you a glimpse into Hawaiian culture.
I was amazed at the history of our 50th state. During our On the shores of Kealekekua Bay is a monument to Captain
time there we took in as many sights as possible. Every John Cook, who was the first European to travel to the
island offering something different. Hawaiian Islands.
We visited Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial and the You cannot visit the islands without going to a luau. Ours
Battleship Missouri Memorial. Our guide told us that the was, Luau Kalamaku, a 105 acre Kilohana Plantation, which
name comes from the Hawaiian term “Wai Momi,” meaning had groves of mango, banana, papaya, pineapple, among
“Waters of Pearl,” due to the abundant pearl oysters that other fruits which are harvested and used for the luau and
once thrived in the bay. also donated to local food banks, schools and churches.

We also toured Liliuokalani Gardens, an authentic Japanese Back o n Honolulu, we took an island tour on a luxury
ornamental garden and Wailuku River State Park, the sight motor coach. The tour included Koko Crater Arch Trail, a
of rainbow falls, and the monument of King Kamehameha Buddhist temple in Ahuimanu, Haleiwa, a small town that is
the Great, of which there several on the islands. designed to look like “old” Hawaii, and the Dole Pineapple

You can’t go to Hawaii, without a stop at Royal Kona Plantation.
Coffee. This coffee is only grown on a one mile stretch of I hope you, like me, will one day get to experience this
the mountains by a co-op of about 12 local growers. It must magnificent island paradise. A

Waikiki Sunset Ti Plant, Honalulu Local Farmers Market, Hilo

58 SPRING 2025 • Free State News