October 2025 Newsletter

https://www.bennettfarmandnursery.com/

Thank you for receiving our Newsletter and working towards a more food sustainable Hawaii. In this fall equinox period of the year, we hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labors. The farm enjoyed a full harvest of pineapples and mangoes in the summer. We are now replanting some rows of the pineapple field to keep that production going. Special thank you to Mike Norikov of South Point Road, who is planting the pineapples and has grown the nursery. Even the lack of rain last year during our rainy season resulted in a bumper mango crop. We must learn to give thanks, especially when things do not go our way.

On September 27, our WE community gathered in the basement to paint a mural of the Big Island. We grew the mural, added a layer and shared company, experience and food. Shary Crocker, Qi Gong instructor and the face of this place during our Seasonal nursery Sales, shared traditional Chinese wisdom regarding the four directions of East, North, West and South. This healing energy is being embedded in the walls along with sacred Scriptures, Vedic truths or just good poetry.

I would like to thank Karen Mulder for taking pictures of the event as well as taking notes on Shary Crocker’s talk, which will compose much of the rest of this Newsletter. Shary began in the East, because this is where the new day begins. Thus, the East (Hikina means arriving) represents new beginnings, the arrival of stars and sun, the sunrise, the dawn, offerings of Gratitude, Understanding, Wisdom and the Renewal of Life. Consequently, new energy, vitality, youth, the marketplace, the church and the beach will be seen in this quadrant.

Shary then turned to the North (Akau means having divine origins). Akua no kona ike means his knowledge is indeed divine. Shary emphasized the wisdom and knowledge of the North. Shary stated that the North leaves room to connect with the Earth, to ground, to balance, to embody, to heal, to rest, to go forward and to reach our highest aspirations like the highest mountains. In this case, the wisdom could not have been more poignant, for, in fact, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain on Earth and Mauna Loa is the largest mountain on Earth. Thus, the five mountains of Hawaii Island, and even the outcroppings of cinder cones and old, old land, like Makanau, will be seen in this north quadrant.

Shary then turned toward the West (Komohana means where the sun enters the sea). Shary reminded us that the West is indeed where the sun sets. She encouraged us to reflect, to introspect and to release all that which does not serve you. It is a place of marker for navigation, to get on the right track, to trust in tomorrow for the clarity that today lacks. As a result, our West quadrant will emphasize Mahina, the light that shines in the darkness. It will contain the darkness, the light that overcomes darkness, the ancestors, the water, the completed life and the wisdom of the owl and purity of the white tiger.

Shary then turned toward the South. (Hema means the South or Left.) Shary said the South embodies the Heart. The Heart, to be healthy, requires mindful quietness, intention, connection, forgiveness, emotion, warmth, generosity, and trust between the traditions of the past and the spiritual renewals of the present. Be true to your heart and trust in your calling.

This mural represents all that is good about Hawaii Island. It is the essence of Aloha, it is the Loving Energy, it is the WE of Community. It affirms the principle that WE are all ONE. With God, there is no separation.

You are invited to join us for our next Mural Paint Party, Saturday October 25 3pm to 6pm. Don’t worry if you are low on artistic talent. You are creating another layer of depth, color and vibrance, the result of which is love.

Our Autumn Seasonal Sale will be November 14 and 15, 9am to 3pm, followed by our BBQ Potluck, November 15 from 3pm til pau.