Big City Reflections From A Country Mouse

An end of summer update, public service announcement, and what’s on the horizon for Fall

Dear Reader,

It’s been a full couple of weeks in my corner of the universe — hence my absence — but I’m catching up, stoking the dream fire and simultaneously taking things slow and easy. Thank you for your continued support and loyal readership as I make my way back to the pen (keyboard).

Summer was rather wet and dreary on the island this year. Out of the norm of our usual pattern, it stalled our progress on the exterior finishes of our casetta (the never ending project) and forced a slowness to our living beyond the sweet spot we aim for. Since moving into this tiny home and onto our shared land in April, life has generously offered opportunities to get our sh*t together. Review, refine, organize, make a plan. For me personally, it’s pedestaled health. Scheduling appointments for routine exams I’ve neglected since pre-2020…or longer. Taking steps to finally step-up on health insurance (is it even feasible?!). Leaving more space, where I can, for rest and gentle recuperation when needed. Things aren’t optimal, but I’ve welcomed the invitation to tune in to deeper relationship with my physical, spiritual and mental health.

I spent last week in “the big city” of Honolulu. Whenever I land in the hustle and bustle of a concrete jungle, I am awed by the contradicting existence of chaos and harmony. Every city it’s the same, but with its own flavor. I’m reminded of waking up in Florence and opening the window shutters to be blasted with light and the outside noise of moto, sirens, and so much chatter. And, the charm of cobblestone streets, architectural masterpieces, and the musicality of all that chatter. Here, the stark contrast of the verdant pali (cliffs) in the distance and cement underfoot for seven days; the translucent turquoise of shoreline waters and the inexcusable amount of rubbish washed into the marina; gusts of stormy sea air and whiffs of restaurant dumpsters, is that sewage?, and cigarettes; the gentrified and pristinely manicured and the streets you immediately regret walking down.

I consumed more coffee in my big-city venture than I typically do, but it was well worth it. I love, love, love when regional flavors are used to reinvent a classic. These couple stands at the festival were most definitely doing things right.

I island-hopped for my current non-Hina-Luna-related job as we participated in the Made In Hawai’i Festival, a weekend long marketplace at the city’s Convention Center, packed with seven-hundred local vendors from across the island chain and, this year, a record seventy-thousand shoppers. Our gaggle of small-town girls felt out of our element but embraced pockets of pleasure in the culinary cornucopia of city grocery stores and restaurants, a walkable ‘hood, and early bedtimes. The thing that surpasses the exhaustion and any metropolitan-phobias, is all the aloha. Hawai’i, you never cease to show up for your own, to care for your elders and young ones, and give generously to your neighbors. Mahalo.

I wrapped up the week of long days, sofa-bed sleeping, and walking, walking, walking with a planned medical procedure (the cherry on top). Consider this a Hina Luna Public Service Announcement: schedule that appointment with a dermatologist for your annual full-body skin check. Home now and healing, I am excitedly tending to my own creative cauldron.

As promised, I am preparing to relaunch the Hina Luna online shop for the fall and winter and, still hoping, if the stars align, in person as well. Since closing my brick and mortar in spring of 2023, I know all to well that securing commercial real estate in this small town is hard to do. And I just couldn’t wait. I operated Hina Luna solely online for over six years before my brick and mortar venture, and although I prefer the face to face connection of the latter, the online realm is familiar territory and I know I can make it work — even from a tiny house.

With hyper-focus and the joy of seeing a vision coming to fruition, I’ve been working on preparing the website for an October first opening. It will be stocked for the season with a thoughtful collection of treasures and simple luxuries for that time of year when the world turns again and change is in the air, and invitations to gather around the table to toast the year are abundant and welcomed, and in between we pause for restful evenings at home by candlelight. I am lovingly curating some of my favorite things to share with you and for your to share with your dear ones. Purposeful, beautiful, and even delicious things to delight and comfort your quiet days and gathering occasions ahead.

Happy September, Dear Reader. Fall is soon to come.