Signs of the Time

In the late 1990s when Gurudeva was meeting with the island leaders each month, one of his themes was that all islanders are Kauaians. Up til then no one used the word, but they listened as he shared that all the people in California identify as Californians. Whether they are latino, asian, black or mixed, they share an identity as Californians. So too, he went on, whether our residents are Chinese, Portuguese, haoli or Japanese, we are all Kauaians. "By thinking and speaking thus, we bring the separate communities together," he would stress. And so began a movement in the media and in government, to use the word "Kauaian." To drive the idea home, and to share it with islanders not at these meetings (and with visitors as well), Gurudeva had the monks make six rose granite signs, carved at our workshop in Bengaluru. The 2' by 6' polished signs were shipped to the island and leaders helped find volunteers to install them at strategic points from the north to the south.

Recently they were showing some wear and tear, so the monks hired a team to renovate them. You can see before and after shots in the slideshow. All part of keeping Gurudeva's legacy alive.

A before shot at Kalapaki Bay

And after renovation

Koloa sign during repairs

Koloa after

Kekaha

Lydgate Park, Kapaa

Poipu Beach

Princeville after repairs

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