Tidal Tears

 So many remarkable stops on the road to Hana, but this quaint village of Ke'anae

where no sooner had I stepped off the coach, I sensed a calm, divine presence

and immediately fell in love with the place.

Created from immense lava flow originating from the Haleakala Crater, Ke’anae is incredibly pretty and captivating.

Ke’anae's congregational church was built from lava rock in 1856 and is the sole surviving building of the April 1st, 1946 tsunami which wiped out the entire village.

The earthquake registered 8.6 on the Richter scale and huge waves that hit Maui Island, Hawaii, reached in excess of thirteen metres in height. Twenty children and four teachers were lost to the massive waves.

Imagine; there was no tsunami warning system in the Pacific at the time, so Hawaii was caught completely unaware.

Consumed with peace and sentiment, I entered the rustic house of worship that still operates on the third Sunday of every month. I took my pew where I knelt to pray for those souls who previously departed this land of aloha, in addition for my own family and loved ones.

Soon after, I strolled through the surrounding grounds, capturing photos and delighting in the countryside of lush vegetation. The misty volcanic mountain ranges located in the background with yet another splendid rainbow overhead completed a perfect picture.

I paused to read various headstones pertaining to lost loved ones of all ages and a little boy’s grave-site, particularly tore at my heart as it was lovingly decorated with toys and things of symbolic of faith.

This enchanting little village embraced peace and I may, without doubt have spent the whole day here... to just sit quietly, close my eyes and be.