Beautiful film and fascinating science. It relates to a project I'm working on and other docs of mine about the intersection of science and ancient knowledge and intuition. Would love to discuss.
This is a lovely snapshot of a marriage of traditional stewardship of the environment and modern science. It makes me want to know more, more, more! Such a contrast to the looming threat of utter disregard for the health of our world in the public discourse today. The brutal truth is that there needs to be less of us, fewer of us, elimination of the extremely durable impact we are making on our surroundings. We need to make a light, clean footprint on the planet, much like our ancestors of 10,000+ years ago. We can do this with reverence for the incredible world bestowed on us and still move knowledge and better lives forward. We are in need of SO MUCH healing in our approach to the world we live in and how we relate to it and each other. This film encapsulates the attitude needed to stop exploiting and begin stewarding the wellspring of life around us.
Reminds me of Robin Wall Kimmerer and her gorgeous book *Braiding Sweetgrass.” Two kindred indigenous sisters telling through scientist’s eyes what the heart knows. We are stewards of this magnificent earth. It is well past time to stop raping it.
Well done! Beautiful and enlightening. I am already appreciative of the gut microbiome in my fight against multiple myeloma and kidney disease. Such a delicate balance to be struck.
I am sorry you are dealing with illness, Have you read works by Dr. Joel Furhman, or Dr Michael Gregor? They use a whole food plant based diet to help heal our microbiome. You are an inspiration in your appreciation of beauty and enlightenment. I hope you continue to find joy.
I loved this story. I have visited Hawaii many times over the years. I have enjoyed the gardens, the ocean floor as a scuba diver and beauty of the people. There is a gentleness and kindness that is just there in the core of the people, and it doesn’t matter which island you are on, it’s just how they everyone makes you feel. Welcomed always.
I only had time now to watch, it was beautiful. I had thought aloha meant hello and good by until I watched United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell interviewing native Hawaiians, I learned aloha has a much deeper meaning that is part of their culture, but more deeply it is part of their souls. My understanding is that Aloha is an essence of being: love, peace, compassion, and a mutual understanding of respect. Aloha means living in harmony with the people and land around you with respect, mercy, sympathy, empathy, grace, and kindness. When greeting another person with aloha, there is mutual regard and affection. There is an acknowledgment of the exchange of breath, the very essence of life, What if we were all taught this from birth? What would our national identity be then?
What great stewards of this planet our species could have been and hopefully will become.
The wisdom of many indigenous people around the world hold these values, and they understand the interconnectedness and symbiotic relationships that are necessary to maintain the homeostasis of this planet. I hope you make many more films such as this telling the stories of people who have been great stewards of this planet. Hopefully our species will evolve out of its egocentric adolescence and realize they have an integral part to play in protecting, and being a part of LIFE. All life breaths out, and we all breathe in all life.
Top o’ the morning Elliot. When I see your name in my email, I smile because I know that my day will be a bit brighter, thanks to your essay. The Hawaiian film was engaging on so many levels that I’d run out of adjectives. So I won’t try. It, especially resonated with me because decades ago, I volunteered as a docent at our local Marin museum, then called the Miwok Museum. Our education was so thorough and inspiring that after some years of docent work I reentered Sonoma State my early 50s as a junior, graduated, and moved on. But enough nattering.
Here is my favorite Irish Blessing: May those who love you Love you. May the Lord turn the hearts of those who don’t love you. If he can’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so you’ll know them by their limping.
In January 1960 my husband and I, with a 2 month old baby under our arms sailed by ship from New Zealand to Hawaii. Hawaii had just become an American state just the year before so we had to go through immigration proceedings there. We spent a few days walking up and down Waikiki and sat on the beach listening to the locals playing their Ukuleles. We thought we hand landed in Paradise and we wanted to get off the ship there and then and stay. We went on to San Francisco, also a wonderful place in 1960. 11 months later on our way to Japan we stopped off in Hawaii again, still as wonderful. We visited Hawaii every two years after that ,visiting many of the other islands, until 1979. Hawaii had been destroyed by 1979. High rises along Waikiki, prostitutes everywhere and overrun by American tourists. The last straw came when we saw a Guard walking around the gardens of the Hilton Hotel with a rifle.
How sad, we thought. We spoke to many Hawaiians who told us that they could not afford to buy a home anymore on their own islands. I often listen to the music of Israel Kamakawowo'ole and think back to what Hawaii had been and remember the fun we had had with all our visits.
Thanks so much for sharing this film. I so wish all of us would be as mindful of how the environment shapes us and vice versa as native cultures. And how the stories told in those cultures spoke such real truth.
What a refreshing sip of hope for the planet. Thank you!
Beautiful film and fascinating science. It relates to a project I'm working on and other docs of mine about the intersection of science and ancient knowledge and intuition. Would love to discuss.
Uplifting story about how one person can use an understanding of their culture and science to preserve our natural resources.
This is a lovely snapshot of a marriage of traditional stewardship of the environment and modern science. It makes me want to know more, more, more! Such a contrast to the looming threat of utter disregard for the health of our world in the public discourse today. The brutal truth is that there needs to be less of us, fewer of us, elimination of the extremely durable impact we are making on our surroundings. We need to make a light, clean footprint on the planet, much like our ancestors of 10,000+ years ago. We can do this with reverence for the incredible world bestowed on us and still move knowledge and better lives forward. We are in need of SO MUCH healing in our approach to the world we live in and how we relate to it and each other. This film encapsulates the attitude needed to stop exploiting and begin stewarding the wellspring of life around us.
Reminds me of Robin Wall Kimmerer and her gorgeous book *Braiding Sweetgrass.” Two kindred indigenous sisters telling through scientist’s eyes what the heart knows. We are stewards of this magnificent earth. It is well past time to stop raping it.
Yes! I thought of Robin Wall Kimmerer too. So much insight into such small and ancient beings.
Well done! Beautiful and enlightening. I am already appreciative of the gut microbiome in my fight against multiple myeloma and kidney disease. Such a delicate balance to be struck.
I am sorry you are dealing with illness, Have you read works by Dr. Joel Furhman, or Dr Michael Gregor? They use a whole food plant based diet to help heal our microbiome. You are an inspiration in your appreciation of beauty and enlightenment. I hope you continue to find joy.
I loved this story. I have visited Hawaii many times over the years. I have enjoyed the gardens, the ocean floor as a scuba diver and beauty of the people. There is a gentleness and kindness that is just there in the core of the people, and it doesn’t matter which island you are on, it’s just how they everyone makes you feel. Welcomed always.
I only had time now to watch, it was beautiful. I had thought aloha meant hello and good by until I watched United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell interviewing native Hawaiians, I learned aloha has a much deeper meaning that is part of their culture, but more deeply it is part of their souls. My understanding is that Aloha is an essence of being: love, peace, compassion, and a mutual understanding of respect. Aloha means living in harmony with the people and land around you with respect, mercy, sympathy, empathy, grace, and kindness. When greeting another person with aloha, there is mutual regard and affection. There is an acknowledgment of the exchange of breath, the very essence of life, What if we were all taught this from birth? What would our national identity be then?
What great stewards of this planet our species could have been and hopefully will become.
The wisdom of many indigenous people around the world hold these values, and they understand the interconnectedness and symbiotic relationships that are necessary to maintain the homeostasis of this planet. I hope you make many more films such as this telling the stories of people who have been great stewards of this planet. Hopefully our species will evolve out of its egocentric adolescence and realize they have an integral part to play in protecting, and being a part of LIFE. All life breaths out, and we all breathe in all life.
Top o’ the morning Elliot. When I see your name in my email, I smile because I know that my day will be a bit brighter, thanks to your essay. The Hawaiian film was engaging on so many levels that I’d run out of adjectives. So I won’t try. It, especially resonated with me because decades ago, I volunteered as a docent at our local Marin museum, then called the Miwok Museum. Our education was so thorough and inspiring that after some years of docent work I reentered Sonoma State my early 50s as a junior, graduated, and moved on. But enough nattering.
Here is my favorite Irish Blessing: May those who love you Love you. May the Lord turn the hearts of those who don’t love you. If he can’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so you’ll know them by their limping.
In January 1960 my husband and I, with a 2 month old baby under our arms sailed by ship from New Zealand to Hawaii. Hawaii had just become an American state just the year before so we had to go through immigration proceedings there. We spent a few days walking up and down Waikiki and sat on the beach listening to the locals playing their Ukuleles. We thought we hand landed in Paradise and we wanted to get off the ship there and then and stay. We went on to San Francisco, also a wonderful place in 1960. 11 months later on our way to Japan we stopped off in Hawaii again, still as wonderful. We visited Hawaii every two years after that ,visiting many of the other islands, until 1979. Hawaii had been destroyed by 1979. High rises along Waikiki, prostitutes everywhere and overrun by American tourists. The last straw came when we saw a Guard walking around the gardens of the Hilton Hotel with a rifle.
How sad, we thought. We spoke to many Hawaiians who told us that they could not afford to buy a home anymore on their own islands. I often listen to the music of Israel Kamakawowo'ole and think back to what Hawaii had been and remember the fun we had had with all our visits.
Thanks so much for sharing this film. I so wish all of us would be as mindful of how the environment shapes us and vice versa as native cultures. And how the stories told in those cultures spoke such real truth.
Fascinating what a beautiful calling thank you for sharing this very special film.
I absolutely loved this! Thank you for sharing this wonderful, video
So beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing.
A truly holistic approach to saving the planet. Thanks Elliot. Truly enjoyed it.
Thank you, Linda! I receive all good vibes sent my way. My diet is well balanced.