Journal
Notes from the land.
Garden news, the weekly rhythm, the people who pass through, and a local's guide to this wild coast.
Things to Do in Puna: A Local's Map
Red Road, Kehena Beach, Pohoiki, the hot ponds, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — what to see around Sundari Gardens on the Big Island's wild southern coast.
WeDance — Wednesday Evenings in Puna
Every Wednesday, the Rainbow Shala fills with barefoot movement. Here's what WeDance at Sundari Gardens is, and how to join — all are welcome.
Welcome to Sundari Gardens
A wellness retreat, spa, and living garden on the wild southern edge of the Big Island — here's what it means to come back to earth in Lower Puna.
The Return to Earth, and the Body as Wholly Holy
For She So Loved the World For g-d so loved the world She breathed you into being She dreamt your lovers awake and blessed you with daughters and sons She devised warm kisses Hot springs New moon nights Mountain Vistas The Milky Way She imagined slipper orchids Toucans Pink lace…
Coffee Plants and Other Farm Updates
Earth Provides the Mocha In a moment of silliness, we joked about having a “mocha garden” on the land: coffee, cacao, vanilla, miracle berry or stevia, cane sugar. So fast forward..there are a few 3-foot tall coffee plants, and last year we saw the first beans. AND now, there are 55 new…
The Inner Equinox
Happy Fall Equinox! The seasonal shift is a great time to check in with yourself- what’s working, what’s not, what’s your desire, where do your skills and desire meet what the world needs now? In our community, we are working on the inner equinox: staying even-keeled in storms and change. For…
New Earth: Upcoming Call Framework
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Being in the Gardens as Mind Medicine
During this pause to guests and events, here’s some beautiful observations from the beloved Craig Stone on being in the gardens. “Gardening, for me, allows space—and that that space has allowed me to find some presence, and to practice mindfulness on a daily basis. I’ve always meditated. But…
Meet Anthurium, One of Our Specialties
Meet Anthurium: An architectural beauty, a NASA clean air plant, hermaphroditic – but toxic to mammals if eaten. Anthurium is a genus of flowering herb, with more than 1000 varietals and cultivars. At Sundari, we’re cultivating a wide variety of Anthurium, mostly derived from anthurium…
Two Year Anniversary!
Today is the second anniversary of us acquiring the land. It was love at first sight for us, standing there on the Kaimu hillside, in April of 2017- the hypersaturated color and open horizon, the mature fruit trees and the feeling of magic. The owners had long vacated and left shacks and debris…
I Am the Sweet Smile on your Face
“I am the sweet smile on your face when you discover home in yourself.I am the intuitive whisper within you.I am your truth.” It’s a joy to bring the timeless, life-affirming teachings of Tantra into community- this time with the gifted and devoted Sanskrit scholar Chris Tompkins, like we did…
Welcome Back, and Thanksgiving
Last night Kaliloa sounded the conch and blessed the land, with more than a hundred people standing in the circle. We called in the oversoul, and the ancestors and gave thanks. As many of you know, the 6.9 quake was epicentered on the land, and many of our neighbors and friends lost ther homes…
Tutu Pele Speaks: Lava Erupts in the Neighborhood
In late April, 2018, the long time lava flow from Kilauea, viewed by millions of visitors from a distance, suddenly dried up. Then, the lava lake in the crater summit began to drop. The lava was on the move, but where to? Seismic monitors began to detect her path: hundreds of tiny quakes…
Volcanic Skyscapes: ThermalPlay and LightMagic
Our friend and artist in residence, David Lawell, has been capturing time lapses of the impact on the volcanic activity on the skyscape. Profound thermal interchange, light play, color. Continue reading →
Introducing Jun, Prana Stone Carving
Along a busy road outside of Ubud, on the Island of Bali in Indonesia, a young boisterous muscular man meets us with a huge smile. He’s been expecting us. Jun is the friend of the artist David Lawell, and they have collaborated together to turn David’s painting of Pele, the Hawai’ian goddess of…
Kehena: Our Local Black Sand Beach
In the mornings, we often run down to Kehena, on bikes or in the car, and swim in the early day. Here’s a short video Christine made to give you a taste of the experience. Continue reading →
The symphony of Coquí Frogs: Invasive and Intense
Okay, for the record, these guys are loud and they begin singing at sunset. A chorus of humming, in perfect rhythm an unison. The ultimate white noise of the jungle. But they are invasive, and as such are causing a lot of damage to insect populations, which in turn impacts bird population,…
New plants arrived!
Adding to the extensive edible, medicinal and decorative plants on the land, another nursery arrival! Planting lushness, a garden of Eden. Continue reading →
The Trees of New Earth Mandala: Free Book
We just finished putting together a little book about the trees on property, which include, Avocado, Banana, Breadfruit, Coconut, Guava, Gunpowder, Lilikoi, Lime, Macadamia, Mango, Orange, Neem, Noni, Papaya, Starfruit, Tangerine…and more! We’re thrilled to offer you this image rich booklet…
Full Moon Rituals
Feeling very good today, to be invited to join some local women for a full moon ritual. What has been completed in this moon cycle? What are you done with? Around the fire, we share stories and songs. Community is strong here. Continue reading →
Solar is In!
This is a milestone day, as the beautiful men of Solar Saints have turned on the 3.5KwH solar system, and we have green power on the land to last through the build out phase. Continue reading →
Moon Cabin Preview!
One of the first charming cabins, Moon Cabin, is nearing completion. We’ve been sleeping in here, and it’s soooo lovely. Amie chose this beautiful periwinkle, the color of sky and sea. The bathroom and tub are indoors, the kitchen is outside, facing the ocean. Dreamtime. Continue reading →
Clearing the Land
Dave, the Orchard manager, and I are bushwhacking through cane grass to see where the new camping platforms might go. The land is very overgrown, we have a lot to clear to free the plants of invasive species and weeds, so that the garden can be as robust as it can be. Continue reading →
In the Neighborhood
A short drive away from Hilo is this fantastic walk and waterfall vista. There are many day excursions (or even hour excursions) near us: Green Sand beaches, Volcano’s rim, Lava flow. Continue reading →