The Legend of Sweetheart Rock

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Sweetheart Rock , Lanai

We were on our way to spend the morning on Lanai. As we passed a large cliff we could see waves crashing on a smaller rock at its point. Small is a relative term because this little rock is actually 80 ft. tall! Named Puu Pehe in Hawaiian, Sweetheart Rock is s recognizable landmark even for tourists like me. Like so many of Hawaii’s landmarks, this one has a legend attached to it too. 

The Legend of Sweetheart Rock

Once upon a time a beautiful young princess from Maui was captured by a young warrior from Lanai. He was so taken with her looks that he made her his wife and brought her back to his home island of Lanai. But the warrior was so jealous of her beauty that he was afraid to let any other man see her. To keep her secluded he confined her to a sea cave near the rock.

One day while the warrior was away a huge storm came up with the sea pounding the rock and flooding the sea cave. Frantic the warrior rushed back to the cave but it was too late. His beloved bride had drowned. With the help of the gods the heartbroken young warrior retrieved her body and took it to the top of the steep rock island. There he made a tomb to lay her to rest. Then, overwhelmed with grief, the young man jumped off the top of the island to his death. 

Puu Pehe’s Tomb

Puu Pehe is located between  Manele Bay and Hulopoe Bay .  If you look closely you may see a small mound at the top of the rock that could be a tomb. We were too far out in the channel to see but I’m told its there. Archaeologists who have studied the sea stack say the only bones are those of sea birds.  The legend is romantic and tragic but don’t let that draw you into exploring the rock. The sides are steep and treacherous and the waters surrounding the island are filled with strong currents and swift waves. 

Good Bye My Rocky Rock Star

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The last Good Bye

My Rocky Rock Star crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning at 11:15 am. I had a house call vet, Dr. Ross from Raynham, come to the house so Rocky could make the trip peacefully. It was the best decision ever. Rocky was asleep when she came in. He woke up and she petted him and talked to him. He seemed to like her and was very relaxed. She gave him the first shots right there in bed and he just went to sleep. She then gave him the last and final shot and his heart stopped. It was the most peaceful and gentle euthanasia I’ve ever experienced and I’ve had to do this for a number of my pets.  I will never have it done in a Vet’s office again!

Rocky

Rocky was a pretty amazing cat. Right from the first he was a fighter. Rocky was born feral and a neighbor’s young son found him when he was a tiny kitten. I saw the son throwing something up in the air and catching it like a ball. As I watched I realized it was a tiny animal. I went racing outside to intervene and the kid threw the creature into a shopping cart. It was so tiny it fell through the grid to the ground. The tiny creature stood up, shook his head and meowed. Then it did that wobbly kitty walk right up to me. That was my introduction to Rocky.

Named after Rocky Balboa

Rocky isn’t much of a cat name. But I had to think on my feet. When I took the little scruff of fur to the vet to get checked out he wouldn’t treat him until I named him. All I could think of was the scene from the Rocky movie where poor beat up Rocky is calling for Adrienne. That’s what it felt like the kitten had done when he came to me after falling out of the shopping cart so Rocky he became. 

My Rocky Rock Star

Even as a tiny kitten Rocky knew his name and came to me when called. That was good because he got himself in some pretty crazy predicaments. If he couldn’t  get to me he would meow so I was always able to find him. Rocky was good with other cats and until fairly recently he was always in a multi-cat household. He would play fetch, walk on a leash, ride in a baby carriage and greet me at the door when I came home. And boy if I was late or when I’d been away I’d hear about it. He had a very loud meow to scold me with. 

When I had my hip replaced Rocky never left me. My Pet Sitter would come in to feed him and take care of him while I was immobile. She’d always say “Where is my little man” and I’d point to my lap. He was my buddy until the end. 

It was time

Although medicine helped Rocky along, he actually died of Chronic Renal Failure. Not uncommon in senior cats. He was in pain and on fluids. He was barely eating and drinking. It just wasn’t a good quality of life. He deserved so much more. It was time to let him go. I will miss you my Rocky-poo. You will always be my Rocky Rock Star. 

 

 

 

 

Red Sand Beach

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Red Sand Beach of Maui

You don’t want to miss the Red Sand Beach while you are on Maui.  It’s called Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaiian. Located just outside of Hana we made a stop after we went to the Black Sand Beach. It’s just a tiny beach tucked into a pocket cove. The rust colored sands of the beach are just that, rust. The lava that forms the Ka’uiki Head cinder cone is filled with iron which rusts. The lava breaks off and washes up onto the beach breaking down into the red sand. 

Beaches of Many Colors

The Islands of Hawaii are blessed with many colored sands in their beaches. We visited both a black sand beach and a red sand beach on Maui. There’s a green sand beach on the Big Island. The green sand is created by a common mineral in Big Island lava called olivine,

All of these beaches get their colors from the lava rock that breaks down to form the sand. The exceptions are the beautiful white sand beaches. White sand beaches are actually fish poop. Shocking I know. But the parrot fish eat the coral to get the algae that grows there. Then the hard coral passes through their system to come out as , well,  Fish poop.  It then washes up onto shore to form beautiful white sand beaches. Parrot fish can poop up to 200 lbs of sand per year per fish! Think about that next time you spread your blanket on that pristine beach. 

Stoplight Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) at Salt Pier

Be Cautious at the Red Sand Beach

Like most of the beaches in Hawaii there are no life guards on duty so you swim at your own risk. Kaihalulu Beach is beautiful to visit and look at. The water is usually a deep blue with splashing white where it breaks against the rugged coastline.  That very rugged coast creates currents and rip tides that can drag an unsuspecting swimmer out to sea or toss them against the sharp lava rocks. Either way the swimmer is likely toast so Beware. 

Cultural Highlight

Ka’uiki Head is the birthplace of Queen Ka’ahumanu, and site of historic battles and an ancient heiau.

The Hawaiian name means “roaring sea.”

 

Rocky News

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Rocky News

Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that Rocky is an important part of my life. He even wrote some posts and acted as Editor in Chief cat for awhile whenever I had writer’s block. Rocky retired a few years ago and has been living a quiet life but he remains very involved in my life. He has reached the ripe old age (for a cat) of 18.5 years. He’ll be 19 in May.

Rocky isn’t feeling well

Rocky stopped eating and drinking on Monday this week. That is not good for a cat but Rocky can be finicky. He could give Morris a run for his money but he continued his hunger strike on Tuesday and didn’t poop or pee in his litter box. Time for an emergency call to our vet, Taunton Cat Hospital. Rocky showed lots of life when we got there . He proved he still had a good set of lungs too! Because he hadn’t drank any water for two days the Vet couldn’t get a urine sample so her best guess is that he has a kidney infection.  The Vet staff administered fluids because he was dehydrated. They drew blood and sent it out for a senior panel and Rocky got to come home.

Rocky my catRocky’s Blood Tests

Rocky’s blood tests came back and didn’t show any fatal or end of life numbers. That was a big relief but he still wasn’t eating or drinking or using his litter box. So I went in without him and they gave me a lesson in administering fluids. They used a stuffed cat to demonstrate. I left with antibiotics, iron supplements and an IV bag of fluids. Rocky finally ate some dinner so that was a good sign.  I started  Rocky on his meds as soon as I got home and I was joined by my pet sitter this morning to administer the fluids. He was such a good boy. He just lay still and purred while the fluids went into him, so relaxed and calm. He used his litter box too! Who knew I would get so excited over cat pee! But I was. It made me sooo happy.

So time will tell

Rocky is sleeping now. I guess time will tell if he can shake off this infection. I know one thing, if he recovers he will be even more spoiled than he was before. I was carrying him around on a pillow this morning! All Hail King Rocky. Long live the King!Rocky's happy to see me

 

 

The Black Sand Beach

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The Black Sand Beach

There is a Black Sand Beach on Maui. We stopped for a visit while on the Road to Hana Tour.  Waianapanapa State Park is located just outside  of Hana. I think this is one of the most spectacular stops on the Hana Highway. The beach is nestled in a private cove. The tour bus dropped us off in the parking lot and we followed a wooden walkway. Eventually you come to the stone stairs down to the black sand beach. I never got down there as I was captivated by the views from the lookout.

Not just the Black Sand Beach

Waianapanapa State Park is not just the black sand beach. It includes Hawaiian Cemeteries, Sea Stacks, Blow Holes and even a Lava Tube. There are various legends associated with the park. One such legend is as follows: 

A Hawaiian legend states that long ago in Hana a Hawaiian princess named Popoalaea was forced to marry an older chief named Kakea.  The chief was very jealous and suspicious of his young bride and beat her often.  One day she fled with her faithful serving maid and they hid inside a lava tube cave near Hana’s black sand beach.

To enter the cave required a dive into the fresh water pools called Waianapanapa (the meaning of the word is “glistening fresh water”).The king and his men grew furious looking for them.  Finally one day while searching for her he spotted the two women’s reflections in the waters of the cave as they sat on the ledge.

They were killed on the spot and every spring thereafter during the dark nights of Ku when this murder took place the waters seem to glow red, signifying the blood of the princess.

Cliff Jumping from the Sea Stacks

As I sat quietly enjoying the sun, the sea bird colony on the large sea stack became quite agitated. Moments later a head appeared. Then the rest of the body followed. A young man must have swum out to the Sea Stack and was now climbing the huge rock. Eventually he made it to the very top. I watched him set himself then cannonball out over the water. What a long drop! He is either crazy or far more brave than I!