Leaving Honolulu

I leave Honolulu tomorrow and hope to be in Denver by Sunday. Barely stopping in Atlanta for a day, I plan to drive 1-20 to Dallas and head upwards to Amarillo crossing the narrow panhandle of Oklahomo into Colorado. (Hey, Amarillo and Colorado end with an O, why not Oklahoma). Uri will be joining and flying back.

Today I saw 2 rainbows right next to each other as I was caught in a rainshower on the Puu Pia trail in the Manoa Valley. At first I thought it was cheesy for Hawaii to use the rainbow as its logo on license plates and all over, but I have seen so many rainbows including some double rainbows which were spectacular. I understand why there is a special blessing for the rainbow: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh HaOlam Zocher Habrit V'Ne'eman B'Virito V'Kayam Ba'Mamaro. Blessed are you Source of Life, Our God Sovereign of the Universe who remembers the covenant, and is faithful to Its covenant and keeps Its word.

It was a moderate hike to a small peak. On one side there was a hill with lush canopies of trees. The clouds (which soon brought the rain) played on the higher peaks around us and the scene looked like a Japanese watercolor mountainscape. On the other side, the view was of Waikiki glowing in golden sun which was reflected by the vast ocean only marred by the highrises and buildings. Quite a view.

Then I went to an exquisite Korean Buddhist Temple: the Mu-Ryang Buddhist temple. The artistry was elaborate, stunning and fierce. It was without a doubt one of the most colorful and vibrant places of worship I have ever seen, It was in a suburb of Honolulu called Kaimuki. The monks waved at us and smiled as we wandered around the property. It made me excited to think about our prospects of having a place of worship in the future.

I am sad to leave Honolulu, perhaps I will return. There are so many spiritual communities doing wonderful work. I look forward to sharing with you about the meaning of "Shaloha" and the synagogue in Honolulu where I spent Hanukkah services.