Kawai'nui Marsh with birds in flight
Good Morning, God!
Such a lovely day, yesterday! While I was driving a friend over to Kailua for our haircuts, she asked if we could check out an upholstery shop. We stopped, Googled, called, drove down a very narrow lane — and there it was.
My friend was happy visiting the upholstery shop. And I was surprised and thrilled finding Kawai’nui Marsh at the end of the lane. I had heard about the marsh and its maintenance troubles. But I had never seen it.
I had no idea that wetlands could be so beautiful, God! I took over 30 photos from various angles. And, “Thank You” for my good luck in catching these two birds in flight. That was a special treat!
The early Hawaiians’ used the marsh for flood control as we do today and they also used it for fish ponds and irrigation control for the taro beds. According to Kailua historical records, “About 500 years ago, early Hawaiians maintained the freshwater fishpond in Kawai’nui, which was joined by a stream to nearby Ka’elepulu Pond (Enchanted Lake). The fishpond was surrounded on all sides by a system of canals (‘auwai) bringing water from Maunawili Stream and springs to walled taro lo’i.”
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for keeping the marsh free of “trees” and maintaining the canal out to the ocean. Recently the levees were raised. Sediment keeps coming, doesn’t it God.
It makes me think of the “waterways” of my life. I, too, need to be aware of “trees” taking root and of canals needing dredging. Busy-ness — carrying countless small tasks and duties — does deposit silt in my waterways. Perhaps, God, You use “illness” as an opportunity for “dredging?”
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
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