Kuaui Albatross - Part 3

This will be the last post on Kuaui, often referred to as "The Garden Island".  Today we visit the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge located on the north shore of Kuaui.  Here in Eastern Oregon, we think of wildlife as deer, elk and predators such as the coyotes and cougars.  The protected wildlife at Kilauea are varieties of  Hawaiian seabirds, the monk seal, green sea turtle and humpback whale.  The refuge was established in 1985 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is marked by a large lighthouse.....

Among the Hawaiian seabirds, is the Laysan Albatross.  I was fortunate enough to experience a fly-by from one of these large birds and managed to get an overhead shot as the albatross circled by the lighthouse.  One notable fact about the albatross are their extreme long wings that enable them to soar or glide in flight.    They can travel hundreds of miles per day with barely a wing-beat.

There is a figurative meaning to albatross, which is something that hinders or handicaps and defined as guilt or a burden.  The origin using this bird as such a symbol comes from 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Coleridge written in 1798.  It represents a burden or source of distress that impairs effective action, thus the saying... an albatross around one's neck.  This beautiful seabird doesn't deserve such a reputation of  negativity due to a poem and superstition.

There is a proven course of action based on the Word of God in Matthew 11:30... "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".  The yoke of Christ placed around your neck lifts and frees burdens and guilt, giving rest to the weary, resulting in freedom and peace.  Quite a contrast to the symbolic albatross that is a yoke of heaviness and bondage, resulting in fear and captivity.

And now it is time to say 'A hui hou - goodbye until we meet again'  in yet another place of God's scenic beauty in Kuaui....

Meet me again at the Turn-Up Patch on Monday, April 24th.  Until then, 'Ke Akua pu a hui hou - God bless you and see you later'.