come experience healing.....

Maunawili Falls. Once upon a time, this special place was an oasis for our shared years of teenage angst. The Falls (or "da' falls" as we affectionately called her) was that special little K-town hike that only kids willing to jump a fence and navigate the Maunawili flood control system enjoyed. Here, adventure was young and boys became men on a '40 foot cliff.

But alas! The cogs of island development and economic progress have mangled the clandestine refuge into a tourist trap overrun by hordes of obnoxiously loud, chain-smoking invading hooligans who often leave their opala on our aina. Auwe!

BUT……in a strange twist of fate, the Falls has raised up a subversive element in the humble form of a 12” plastic gnome to ensure we have the last laugh. Each week, this tiny, unassuming aumakua of ours slips the pins out of watch bands of those who would trample our oasis. While they are underwater, our little guy is collecting a sort of toll for their trip. Each week, the invaders emerge “triumphantly” from their leaps to find their left wrist naked as the day they were born.

We are the Extreme Hawaiian Treasure Hunters, and we’re not going to take it anymore! (I mean the injustice, of course. We will, however, take the watches…he he he)

8.25.06. The Gnome Fails Us Not!

9.10.06. The Gnome Goes M.I.A.

9/28/06: The Gnome Returns to His Home

The following moving sentiments were made by veteran Jeremy Lim on the record dive where a $375 watch was recovered:

"i feel like a proud father whose kid just scored his first goal. allthe training, coaching, encouragement, and frustration...it was allworth it. i believed in you, fatty, and now you make me so proud. soproud. congratulations, son. and happy birthday to you as well. may mygift of the secrets of maunawili falls be an ever increasing source ofjoy, excitement, and wonder to you.jer"

Thanks, Jer. You truly are the wind beneath our wings, brah.