Wednesday, August 7, 2024

THD New Activity Director- Hawaii State Tree and Flower


This is the last series of my postings on Hawaii. Meanwhile here's the latest THD News - We have a New Activity Director( see photo above)-Kellie Schuyler. Galen Corson is no longer employed by THD. Rumors is circulating that she quit on her own free will, but a more persistent rumors was that she was fired for inefficiency and also because she was not getting along with THD management. The truth will never come out because frequent employee turnovers here THD is never announced and appeared very normal and the way of life here at THD. There has been frequent employee turnovers in the Activities Department here the past year after my move.  Galen was hired around the beginning of 2024. She started a very successful Series on Travel Around the World. It lasted for about 4 months. Just recently, she organized the Resident Art Festival which was participated by 91 residents and their families. The Art and Music Programs provided to Residents were excellent. So I was surprised when I heard she was fired because of inefficiency. Anyway, Good Luck Galen and Welcome Kellie Schuyler.

I hope your stay will be a little bit longer than normal. Good Luck in your new position and looking forward for more enjoyable activities you will be in charge in the future.

Story of the month : The Legend of Ohi'a and Lehua
In the lush heartlands of Hawaii, where volcanic mists whisper ancient tales, stood a brave warrior, Ōhi'a, and his beloved Lehua. When the fiery goddess Pele desired Ōhi'a for herself and he refused, she transformed him into a tree, rooting him forever in her volcanic domain. Heartbroken, Lehua pleaded for mercy, and Pele, moved by her tears, transformed Lehua into a beautiful blossom on the Ōhi'a tree, uniting the lovers for eternity.
Now, when a Lehua blossom is plucked, the skies weep with rain, mourning the lovers’ plight. This legend reminds us of love's enduring power and the sanctity of nature. Let's protect our precious Ōhi'a forests, home to these eternal lovers.
Next time you are visiting the big island and heading towards the bakery. Keep an eye out for the beautiful Ohia Tree's nestled among the dried lava flows.

Source Wikipedia: Metrosideros polymorpha, the ʻōhiʻa lehua,is a species of flowering evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that is endemic to the six largest islands of Hawaiʻi. It is a member of the diverse Metrosiderosgenus, which are widespread over the southwest Pacific. It is the state tree of Hawai‘i.

It is a highly variable tree, being 20–25 m (66–82 ft) tall in favorable situations, and a much smaller prostrate shrub when growing in boggy soils or directly on basalt. It produces a brilliant display of flowers, made up of a mass of stamens, which can range from fiery red to yellow. Many native Hawaiian traditions refer to the tree and the forests it forms as sacred to Pele, the volcano goddess, and to Laka, the goddess of hula. ʻŌhiʻa trees grow easily on lava, and are usually the first plants to grow on new lava flows.

Lehua blossoms (ʻōhiʻa lehua), Hawaiʻi

The state flower of Hawaii is the Yellow Hibiscus, The Yellow hibiscus is also known as hibiscus brackenridgei.

Good Day to All!!!

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