My unemployment Mondays continue... this past Monday was Jess Press's birthday. Happy 30th Jess!!! On this day, I went to sewing class in the morning and then later went on a short hike with a friend.
It's the mountain version of the Naupaka plant. My mom told me the story about the plants when I was a little girl, and I've always loved the romance behind it.
My mother's retelling of this myth goes as follows...
A long time ago, back in ancient Hawaiian days, there were two beautiful lovers who were deeply devoted to one another. Pele took interest in the man, and pursued him for his returned interest. Despite Pele's beauty and power, the man was loyal and faithful and denied her which angered Pele greatly. And so, she separated them, chasing one to the mountains and one to the ocean. For if she couldn't have him, she'd be damned if she'd allow the two of them to be together...
Separated and unable to see each other, both lovers were filled with grief. Without each other, they did not feel whole... they could not go on... And so they died of broken hearts and where their bodies lay to rest, a Naupaka plant grew... and the flowers, like the lovers with out each other, were incomplete halves.
Kinda makes you wonder if the writers of Jerry McGuire got their inspiration from the legend of the Naupaka plant, huh? ;)
Growing up and even now, I've always seen the beach version of Naupaka plants. The leaves are good for cleaning/defogging your diving masks... but up until today I've never seen the mountain version. I was beginning to wonder if it really did exist.
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