Valley Of The Temple's 4/2013

Located on the windward side of Oahu in a little town called Kahaluu lays the resting area of those who have past in a valley like setting called " Valley Of The Temple's ". This unique name will describe the many mausoleum's which currently decorate the little hill's along the valley. Owned by private owner's who value their deceased so preciously by entombing their loved one's for secret visitation's in a free- standing tomb above ground. As you approach the entrance the Catholic and Christian Temple's will be the first to greet you. Offering serenity for those who mourn the lost of a loved one. As you continue to drive toward the rear of the valley . You will past many different grave site's all of which have been divided by denomination of religion & faith. On a late afternoon the monstrosity of the Koolau mountain range overshadow's the beautiful landscape bringing an awareness that the hour nears to allow the dead to rest. Continuing on you will approach a turnaround which allow's for beautiful photography of the Buddhist temple from afar. It sit's bright red in color and Asian decor construction. Peacefully surrounded by pond's filled with Koi fish , swan's , a few duck's and a variety of bird's. Offering it's many visitor's the opportunity to meditate and to offer up incense at the alter of the great teacher " Buddha ". Buddha was a man many believed to be a very wise prophet. Buddhism which derive's out of the great doctrine's he preached as a prince is a religion that many still continue to practice all over the world. I myself have studied many different religion's in truth of how human kind came to be. And from a very young age excepted Christ as my truth. I do believe however that Buddha was blessed with a gift that only come's from the creator of us all. The lord GOD. On this particular day. My intention's were to bring to remembrance the live's lost in the Boston bombing's which took place the day before. And also to continue on to another trail I desired to hike in the area. Before entering the temple the tradition is to ring the bell which sit's toward the left of the entrance bridge. It is to show your respect's to the spirit world. Upon entering the shrine you are asked as in most Asian custom's to remove your foot ware before entering. As the inside of the temple is considered the alter room. There in the door entrance sit's a statue of Buddha himself above an alter of candle's , flowers and incense. His facial expression can only be taken as " One Who Is Sit's With Wisdom ". With the aura of patience many are made wise. Time is a true teacher. Because with time it reveal's the path of life , intention's , and our destiny as individual's. Many religion's believe that each person's fate has been planned by the almighty creator prior to each soul entering the earth realm. Christianity also based the " Word Of Life " on this same belief. But the singular difference between the many religion's and Christianity is " Faith " . God teaches us " Faith without work's is dead ". For example : your car dies out for no apparent reason. Do you sit there and believe eventually it will come to it's senses and start back up on it's own , that the universe has somehow blessed you with supernatural power's to do such a wonder ? No ! With " Faith " you would believe that if you hopped out of the car and open it's hood. You just might find the problem to why the car died out in the first place. You may just learn that you actually caused the problem when recently changing your battery. You failed to tighten the bolt's on the terminal's which cause a non - fusible link to short circuit the battery in the first place. By tightening the cable's the problem would be solved. Religion's such as Buddhism teaches deep meditation , contemplation and much analyzation to determine decision making. Lacking faith and leaning toward science to offer up a solution instead of the confidence of " One's Self " and the faith of true love that our creator has ordained for us from birth. But this is another subject in which I cover in a blog called " In Jesus Name " written by me of the word's I have come to trust which come from " One Who Know's All " . As you continue around the garden's you will notice how each pagoda and statue is so eccentrically placed as if the engineered master plan had a meaning for these placement's. There is a gift store on site. Deva's also known as " Hindu Avatar's " stand in the doorways of this gift shop. Which hindered me enter because of my belief in Christ. In Hinduism these " Deva's " represent the different deities of various god's they worship. For me my belief ... is that it is better to believe in something.... Than nothing at all. The landscape is filled with beautiful rock gardens , waterfall's and bridge's. I was able to enjoy these peaceful surrounding's until 3 tour buses pulled up at the admission booth out front. It was my sign that my quiet visit was expired. I have visited this site on many occasion's and often come here to relax and enjoy the fresh air. There is something so tantalizing of it's architectural design that fascinate's me with each piece of tile set on it's roof top's down to each piece of gravel that is so perfectly manicured in it's rock garden . I hope each person who visit's this site will find peace and serenity to close one door in their life to allow the many door's that yet await each person leading them to happiness that was destined for them from the beginning of time. Happy Hiking !! Direction's : On Kahekili Hwy from Kaneohe Town continue North bound and the site located to the left across from Teple Valley Shopping Center. The landmark is Kahaluu McDonald's. Admission : GENERAL : $3.00

THE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN 4/2013

The ~ Friendship Garden ~ located on the hilltop's overlooking Kaneohe bay is a mini hiking trail nestled along a residential area called Kokokahi. The trail takes about an hour to complete. The view's are very remarkable even with the home's that surround this hill side. As you enter the garden the sound of native bird's chirping and the whistling of bamboo fill's the air. And the sunlight beaming through the tree's are like you were entering the pearly gate's of heaven " I kid you not". There many flower's , butterflies , a waterfall that was dried up and even a little tea house mid way. This hike is simple for any age , any day ... On a rainy day would be perfect to see the waterfall that flow's directly under the tea house floor. There is a history about the original owner's who purchased the property and a very unified story of how this garden came to be. You may Google it's history. To my knowledge the lands were purchase to form a friendship of the land owner's who owned the surrounding properties in Kokokahi neighborhood. It's so amazing to have such a beautifully preserved trail sitting right in the middle of a neighborhood. This is why I love Hawaii <3 In all of the state's Ive traveled ... there is truely no beauty to compare to the beautiful mountain's and beaches we are so lucky to utilize. I plan to do a photo shoot here next month. This site is perfect to hike up a lunch , some cold beverage's. And to enjoy the company of each other in conversation for a day in privacy. And so perfect as the parking is right below you as you sit atop. The trail is lined with natural rock and wood to ease your path. There is also a caretaker home which hold's simple tool's for those who maintain the trail. You will love this one. Parking : Kaneohe Bay Drive going ocean bound towards Kailua. You will past an over head walk way after Castle High School. Take a right up Kokokahi Place and continue up about 3/4 of a mile. There is a white bridge photo posted in this blog. Once it is in site. The entrance to the garden's is located directly across. You will need to find parking a long side the narrow road in front of the home's. The neighbor's were very friendly to me. But not all cases are the same ... Goodluck !! Happy Hiking !!