Root & Rise Hawaiʻi

August 2023 Newsletter

"Do not seek answers; live the questions." – Rainer Maria Rilke

Universal Remedies: Herbal Bundles & Bottles

Nature & Art as Therapy

If pictures are worth a thousand words, aromas and sensations are worth a million. In our two-part Nature & Art as Therapy workshop on August 26th, communion with natural elements offered meditation, reflection, and the take-away of tangible coping skills.

Guided by Mona Trenae, participants tapped into intuitive knowing that is necessary for personal growth through recalling childhood memories, associating colors with feelings, and exploring messages from crystals and tarot.

After choosing personal affirmations (positive words to help overcome challenges and unhelpful thoughts), participants filled the jars with layers of Hawaiian sea salt, dried herbs, incense, glitter, and gems. With beeswax, we sealed our affirmative statements and memories within each jar.

At the same time, horticultural therapist Juliette Authier taught the mindful practice of wrapping aromatic herbs and flowers with twine to create herbal bundles. Constructing with fresh, locally sourced plant material (including lavender, sage, patchouli, and laya [Filipino ginger]) offered the therapeutic benefits of sensory engagement, focused coordination, and collectivism through crafting.

Well beyond the workshop, these herbal bundles (a.k.a. herbal/floral wands or “scent swords,” a term coined by a 9-year-old participant) can be used as coping tools that hold beauty and grounding connection to ʻāina.

Mahalo nui -- thank you so much -- Mona & Juliette for sharing your manaʻo and skills! And a big shoutout to both our newcomers and steady Root & Riser's who show up to workshops with open minds and ready hands.

From Kona to Kaʻū

From the oceanside Pāhoehoe Beach Park to the lush pocket of earth at Waiōhinu Park, Root & Rise is collaboratively bringing the community together through partnerships and outreach.

Creating sun prints with keiki from Humanity Hale, a non-profit that works with at-promise youth, ages 8 and up, on Hawai’i Island who are experiencing trauma within the home.

Making fully compostable, plantable paper with embedded veggie and ʻōhiʻa lehua seeds, paired with envelopes that depict intentions, wishes, and prayers to help us reflect and grow.

Affirmations for Maui

In acknowledgment of the devastation and tragedy caused by wildfire on Maui, we invite collective prayer and hope for the many individuals and families affected. Right now, the people impacted have significant, immediate, and unfolding needs that must be met. This includes food, housing, medical attention, grief and crisis support, and on-the-ground disaster relief funds.

Root & Rise wants to offer what we can. We are creating cards of affirmation, which we plan to send to those on Maui in the weeks and months to come. If you would like to join this effort, please submit your words of affirmation below.

 
Submit an affirmation

What a Gift!

Our reach into the community is made possible with your support!

 

Please consider the different ways you can give back to our community:

 

Make a recurring monthly gift by joining The Seed Circle. These funds are critical!

 
The Seed Circle
 

Make a one-time gift on PayPal or Venmo (@rootandrisehawaii)

 
Give via PayPal
 

Donate craft or garden supplies – Please reach out directly to info@rootandrisehawaii.org if you have items to offer.

 
Ways to Give
 

Purchase māmaki tea online or in local stores, and find our native plant collection at K’s Greenhouse in Ocean View.

 
Shop Online

Contact us if you have a special skill or expert knowledge to contribute! Able to help on our back-end – research, grant-writing, fundraising, and beyond? Have a desire to facilitate a workshop? Let’s chat! Please contact info@rootandrisehawaii.org to discuss opportunities.

Many Mahalos

Thank you to the individuals and organizations who show up for our community and support the Root & Rise vision! Mahalo to:

  • Katie Wortman for grant-writing support – your way with language is invaluable! 

  • Soo, Clare, and Kristina for fragrant gifts of lavender and sage, and Lost Monarch Garden for your patchouli that lives on.

  • Ed from Colors of Hawaiʻi for donation of time, knowledge, and all things paper.

  • Kainaliu Fresh Grocery – our newest māmaki partner! Show this new small business some love and get yourself some of South Kona’s delicious, fresh bounty!

 

Mahalo nui and take care of yourselves & each other.

617-543-8065

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