Riding the Wind -Wild Horses & White Owl Thunderbird - Part III

Kukuihaele - ‘Traveling Light’ Valley of the Healers January, 2011

Bronze Horse headed up to Halema’uma’u Crater, Big Island Hawaii.

In Parts I & II of my Big Island Hawaii blog posts, I get into the strangeness of how my trip originated. I dive deep into my land energy photoshoot at Mt Kilauea Volcano and the Shamanic knowledge I received while exploring Waipio ‘Valley of the Kings’.

If you haven’t already read my Waipio ‘Valley of the Kings’ & Pele Volcano adventures you can do that here:
Part I - Volcano and Part II - Waipio Valley

I feel funny saying this, but I’m having a much harder time putting together Part III of this blog series. The first two posts flowed out of me like a rolling river, couldn’t stop writing if my life depended on it, and now I feel completely tongue tied!

I will see how this all comes out and then let it rest for a while. Like sourdough lol. Maybe it just needs a long cold proof 🤣 Oh and I just made the best focaccia this morning using stone milled flour!

As an artist with an underlying spiritual purpose, I’ve had a lot of intense experiences while having a lot of fun and expansive creativity mixed in. Learning to hold it simultaneously takes skill and I have never done what I am currently attempting. I kind of just barreled ahead, kept going and experiencing. It was certainly loads of fun that way and likely the only way these projects would have come into existence.

In today’s post I am going deeper into the unexpected animal spirit connections and the last minute land ceremony experience I had while staying on the sacred Kukuihaele lands during my 2011 Big Island journey.

The Significance of What Stays with You.

Part of me remembers this trip so clearly, felt like it lasted forever and in another moment it was gone in a flash. I don’t have many photos to jog my memory because it was before my iPhone days and, other than my landscape installation projects, I didn’t walk around with a camera.

There were so many beautiful spots like the Hamakua coast and Waimea town (with a really cool locals coffee shop that I went to a few times). Continuing on the far side of Valley of the Kings is an equally stunning Pololu Valley, albeit a much more touristy spot, where many came to hike along the cliffs and go down to the rocky beach below.

When Hawaii Envelopes You and Offers her Gifts.

Waipi’o Cottage: Each morning and afternoon I would wander the massive open uninhabited land that overhangs the cliffs. There are no words to describe how perfect my time there was. There was no one around, literally on all those walks I never came across a single soul, I think only a few hundred people live in that entire area. I was in the most magical far off land. I still couldn’t believe I had ended up at this cottage farm and that the lady thanked me for coming!

People often say how healing Hawaii is and, well, it is. But it’s way more than that. As humans, we know so little of our capabilities or connections to otherworldly heaven places. We don’t even know who we truly are (majestic beings, my opinion :) but when you are on one of these islands and have the time to just Be, everything changes. And I mean that literally. Hanging out, doing nothing, things start happening. Big special incredible things. And if you stay with that, it opens even more. It really doesn’t end.

I became myself for the first time while on Kauai circa 2007. Or maybe I fully embodied me. Like the blinders and barriers fell away. I always felt safe spiritually while there. Didn’t matter what Island. There is something so special and unique in this whole region of the earth. One day I hope to write more of my artist journey. For now all I can do is offer artist snippets of inspiration and love.

Quiet Beauty

It’s hard to believe this spot is still as I met it. The smells in the morning were light and fresh, a little misty, always perfect💗

I Could Never have Dreamed where Wandering the Cliffs of Kukuihaele would Take me.

One of my many wanderings along the quiet deserted Kukuihaele cliffs were like most others. I would meander for an hour or so, without a plan or idea. Looking back, it was so freeing. Wandering on ‘vacation’ without a plan. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been enveloped in a feeling like that while far away from home.

So on this day, same meandering through verdant grasses - sunny, warm for January and I stop and look over the cliffs, the ocean, like I had daily since I arrived.

I don’t know how long I was in this perfect space when I noticed a distant vrump vrump sound. Not turning, focused on the beauty in front of me, I heard it get closer and closer. It sounded so peaceful. As the sound continued to get closer, it eventually felt loud enough and shook the ground enough that it caused me to turn around.

I stood there almost paralyzed at the sight bounding towards me: two of the infamous wild horses racing towards me at a speed I couldn’t even register. My back facing the ocean, a few yards from the cliff’s edge, I was frozen. I don’t know how long it was that I stood emotionless watching these horses running straight towards me. It was long enough to realize I would end up at the bottom of the cliffs.

There was no point running, there was nowhere to run. As shock turned to dreadful reality, something came over me.

I lifted my right arm with my palm facing towards them. At this point the horse in front’s eyes were locked in with mine. I put my index finger and middle finger straight up pressed together with the other 3 tucked into my palm.
I pursed my lips and let out three times in quick succession a very loud
Shhhh ….SHHHHH ……Shhhhhh

Wouldn’t you know, they came to a ‘dead’ stop right after the 3rd Shhhh like a skidded stop bumping into each other standing in front of me expectantly. I let out a long sigh quickly turning to my left so they were facing the cliffside. I think I laughed nervously and said something like, ‘Well well well, what do we have here?’

“Up until this moment, freedom had always been fleeting, a few seconds here and there, moments in reverie, expansion of heart. But this time, with the wild horses on cliffside Waipio, it was as magical as I have ever known”.

Shaken Awake by Wind Horse, discovering the Three Jewels.

I had already been warned by the cottage owner that the horses were essentially wild and would potentially kick you or cause injury if trying to ‘befriend’ them. She didn’t mention this sort of scenario!

I stepped forward cautiously and intuitively put my palm on the first horse’s forehead. They were quite friendly with me, and I felt close to them, having always had a very deep affinity with horses. Multiple profound experiences on all the islands, the Hawaii energies merging with the heavenly energy of horses is a combination that is unmatched.

I spent about 5 or 10 minutes with them, each eager to be the recipient of my attention, but I was still feeling a little shaky (okay, I was feeling Very shaky!) I don’t often think of death or even cliff falling death but this was the 2nd time in my life where I felt very close to a ‘mishap’ involving a cliff (the last time being in Guatemala).

After those horse connecting moments I gently backed away from them and was like, ‘Yeah I will see you later’ and as quickly as I could, I made my way back to the serenity of the cottage while they followed not far behind. I made my way over a makeshift wire fence and hurried up the hill to the safety of my cottage home.

Riding the Wave of the Three Jewels.

I sat on the porch for a long time in awe of life and its mysteries. ‘What in the world was That??? And where in the World did that gesture come from?” The shakiness of the experience transformed into bewilderment as I replayed over and over the sequence of events leading up to the hand motions. ‘Was that some kind of ancient Hawaiian language that pierced through to assist me or was it something even beyond that’ I pondered.

To this day, I remember it as clearly as something from 5 minutes ago. Maybe I remember it even more clearly. It’s not every day you almost get barreled off a cliff by a couple of wild horses. I am forever grateful for what transpired, one of course being that I made it out alive and the other, for receiving this intimate language and connection to these horses.

Accepted Into the Fold.

I ended up seeking out the horses the last few days I was there and found they would be waiting for me by the wire fence - hanging out talking, chilling, even though instructed to keep my distance. It was too special. I am part horse. The horse is part of my being from wherever I come.

It has followed me all these years on these photoshoots and there is so much more to dive into regarding the sacred nature of horses and the reason why they are on earth with us now. It’s one of my favorite things I am so excited to share about and collaborate with others.

I have yet to complete the writings of the ancient horse volcano connections and, once I do, I will update these writings to reflect the immensity of what came to be. Miracles upon miracles I say!

Sacred Land Designation - Contemplating the Call.

I was on the Island for I think five or six days when I was called on to do a land protection ceremony of the Kukuihaele area. I went down by the cliffs to private land where I knew I was very unlikely to run into anyone. I hung out for a while and grounded myself. I had never done anything formal like this so it felt a little awkward.

Also the Hopi guidance I received from Colorado was language that I don’t use - I’ve included the email correspondence below. Since everything had fallen into place the way it had, I accepted without question that speaking those words were right for this time, I would not have received them otherwise.

I anchored my being into the grass rock soil, stretched my arms upward and prayed the land would be protected for the light beings and love of the true ancient Hawaii. And really for the future of what Hawaii would come to be in this epoch. She’s been around the block a few times and now it was time to right things. Get back on track for Humanity.

I did not photograph the actual prayer spot, this is nearby.

January 24, 2011

Sacred Lands:
Holding the Light.

Below are emails from 2011 that I sent to a Hopi guide-friend the day after my Volcano energy grid photoshoot. I learned that an extremely wealthy developer from the other Hawaiians islands (whom I had much interaction with previous to this trip) was planning on dismantling one of the last truly open areas of private owned sacred land on Big Island - Hawaii. This is the direct correspondence of my experience and requesting assistance to proceed.

My email dated Mon, Jan 24, 2011 4:17 pm

“This morning I was talking to the owner of the cottage, she has lived on and rented the land for 35 years, and had recently bought the property from a Hawaiian elder. I asked about all the amazing pastures and open land leading down to the cliffs of the Waipio Valley and how was it that no one had built huge wealthy estates like on all the other islands. She went on this very long story about the history of the property and what has been going on most recently.
She told me that there was a huge real estate developer that had recently bought all the land from the church and that it was his intention to take over all the property and create a gigantic gated community running from this sacred ancient valley all along with multimillion dollar homes. But the thing was he didn't have access from the main road down to this property so he could gate it off (until now it is wide open with wild horses just running around, it's amazing).
The other recent development is that because of the underground earthquakes, no new permits are being issued to create new water sources. So if he can't get his hands on an existing water source, he can't do anything further.
This woman I am renting from, she has two water sources on her property, so he has been harassing her and the Hawaiian elder to sell one of the rights so that he can go ahead with his plan. She is considering it because he made the property value of her land go up so high, before she was able to purchase it, that she paid 5 times the original cost and is now trying to get out of debt. At the end of this whole drawn out story, she says his name out loud, and I know him!”
(According to native Hawaiian friends that live on the other islands, I was previously instructed to stay away from him and be ‘very guarded’ around him, so hearing his name on an island where no one I knew was associated with, it came as a shock and I couldn’t believe I didn’t blurt out that I knew him. For whatever reason, my spirit had me hold that knowledge quiet. Most likely to not open a can of worms and energetically alert that party of individuals).
“So, I just told her that he sounded familiar, (as my mouth hung to the floor ;p) and that she shouldn't sell anything to him. I said, 'Oh, you're acting like a caretaker to this sacred land.' The thing is this is one of the last areas holding out by old time Hawaiians but he is pressuring all of them and little by little they are selling things away to him.
I think it just can't be a coincidence that Emerald Lady sent me here, and not do anything. It's just that before I even came here and I was talking with this woman on the phone, she has such a love for this place and she said that the Big Island is so special, it's considered to be the creation Mother Earth and one of the hotspots on the planet. It is different from other volcanos because the lava comes from deep in the center of the earth and over the millions of years creates the island and then it shifts on the pacific plates. nowhere else. some other stuff i don't understand...
Is it possible for you to look in on what is happening and if there is anything that I could do or need to do to help keep (or return) the land to the people of the Light.
It just makes me laugh because when this woman asked me why I was coming here, I told her that the previous 7 times I came to Hawaii was to work for other people when I was in a ‘master healing’ apprenticeship and this time I just wanted to come for myself and see what would happen and she thought that was so cool. Well, here I am! Haha :DDD
The other part I heard from both of my guides was that it was time for people in Hawaii to open the way for the Divine Light to come down, that people are needed for that, almost like we have to raise our hand up so they can reach us, a mutual thing and that Hawaii is important to somehow return the Earth to its Place. (not sure, I think I'm in the process of understanding all of that :)
Thank you again and so much Love,
Monica”

Sacred Prayer for Hawaii Lands.

About an Hour later my Colorado friend - Hopi guide responded with the message below and followed up in the evening with additional guidance.

“Yes! Stand with your feet firmly planted in the soil of that sacred earth and reach up so Heaven's Blueprint and Divine out-picturing can be anchored and firmly fixed into the physical. Be the conduit for the Light of the Supreme Being.
I will see what can be done in assisting you and the beautiful woman you described.
You are very correct in saying you ARE needed for this very purpose. Be the hands, the intelligence and the heart of Divine Intent in motion. You are the one who was sent to work from this side of the veil. Pair with Him your Divine Originator to gloriously accomplish your task.”

Stepping into my Own and Meeting with White Owl.

Date: Mon, Jan 24, 2011 11:11 pm

I spent most of the day and evening out and followed up with her that evening:

“I spent the afternoon kind of sitting with the whole thing, reading and wandering. At sunset I went out with the property owner lady and a girl that is working for her, we went down to the cliffs and it was such a miraculous experience, so much Joy. And on the way back we were laughing so much trying to find our way in the pitch black up to the road.
And then it came to me that I would do something, whatever it would be I still didn't know, but it would happen as should and just at the moment a huge White owl crossed the road in front of us zig zagging, landed in a tree and then flew back again in front of us! And then I knew, All is Good, Hawks and Owls always come as a confirmation that things are going along as needed.
If you are able to offer assistance, that would be wonderful, it feels Big to me, and I know the saying that we are never given more than we can handle, but knowing you are checking in gives me great hope and I will do my very best from over here.
My only question would be, do I need to say anything verbally, and if I do, what would be the best way to describe the situation.”

Message to Everyone: Don’t Waste Time Second Guessing Yourself!

The next morning I received these additional words from Colorado:

“Follow your instincts. Don’t waste time second guessing yourself. And certainly bring the Always Victorious Light of the Supreme Majesty of True Being with you in every impulse of thought and feeling.
Leave the rest to Him and to the Eternal Christ Light. That Light resides within ALL Living Beings. All those who serve the Mighty Creator, our Divine Originator, are instantly there when called upon to serve to His Glory.
The Light never fails. Together we are Divinely Triumphant.”
I followed my heart inspiration and the guidance I received and completed the prayer-heaven-earth connection to the ancient and present Light. I connected with God and my Mother Mary-Jesus family and prayed for what was right and good. And that was it, once I was done I let it go and never spoke of it until now. I continued my Hawaii adventure, using every moment immersed in all that is great in this world.

Guides are Always Sending Messages: Open Your Heart and Hear the Call.

(April 26, 2026) This morning, I opened a tiny blue journal I had pulled from my journal box. It is dated 2021, 10 years since I wrote the above email and experienced my Big Island Adventure. It was nearly empty. Aside from a few pages of grocery lists, there is only one page written on: Year 2021 while living on Cape Cod. I don’t remember what had compelled us, but we had visited with a Shaman on the other end of the Cape.

What I wrote as the message from my session with the Shaman:

“Be free to do Anything without second guessing.”

“Freedom & Bliss!!!”

💗White Eagle💗

My jaw dropped when I saw it. Yesterday I had highlighted only one part in the entire sequence of the Colorado-Big Island emails “Don’t waste time second guessing yourself” and here, again, I find the same words from a different shaman 10 years apart. I have been laboring over these writings for days now, doing exactly that!

The Time is Now.

I had been constantly asking myself, ’Is it the right time, how will it be received, will people judge my experiences?’ So many things that I second guess even though I know in my heart it is good. Why? Why do we hold ourselves back from the most sacred we hold.

After that very bizarre double whammy, I got the hint! I made myself a promise, to trust myself, to trust my intentions and to trust the words, experiences and messages I am putting out there as being genuinely good .

I will also pay attention to that urge where I stop myself from expressing these experiences. My whole life I’ve been so happy behind the scenes and this is a new level of openness for me. It’ll be a very different adventure and one that I’ve prepared a long time for!

And the much anticipated 2026 update.

As I was putting together this post, I realized that I had not thought about the sacred land and what transpired since my visit in 2011.

At that time, I had been instructed to let it go afterwards and not be attached to the outcome. Feeling like 15 years was long enough to not get caught up in unnecessary occurrences, I did a little digging, some internet sleuthing :D

I found that the Kukuihaele area land and all around had not been built up and was still protected. It even looks like the protected status was expanded around what’s called Waimanu Reserve, where I had the wind horse ceremony and met with the white owl.

I came across a few scientific studies published a few years after I was there. It confirmed what the cottage woman had said regarding the original testing and subsequent studies. It was determined that the large part of the cliffside could not be used for extensive building beyond the resources that were already grandfathered in. The monied folks had lobbied hard, and had failed to alter the designation! This includes the area I ran around, where I encountered the wild horses. It is officially a protected cliffside estuarine reserve!

The developer in question was older and passed away a few years back, the gated community he envisioned was not to be. It looks like the cottage lady I stayed with recently sold the property. I believe she would now be in her 70s.

I am grateful to her for having been so open and welcoming during my visit, for the love and knowledge she so readily offered. As well as what she did for Hawaii and the sacred lands she protected while she lived there, at least 50 years caretaking. First as a renter from the Hawaiian elder, later as an owner. I do hope it returned to the people who will continue on as caretakers, possibly related to the original Hawaiian elder.

I also found that beginning last year Waipio Valley of the Kings is closed to visitors to protect the ecosystem. Only Hawaiian natives, Big Island residents and a restricted small tour operation are permitted on the land. I am surprised, in a good way. Room to allow the energies to connect with the heavens and hold on earth all that is good. I feel lucky to have spent the time there that I did, baby blue whale and all.

PROJECT 1776 PHOTOS

And just like that I was headed back to NYC.

Related Blog Post: Waipio Valley - Sacred Hawaiian Warrior Healers

The Way of Wind Horse