It seems early because it is early. Normally on June 21st, but in leap years it falls on June 20th. We have leap year because the year is really only 365.24 days long. Every four years we add a day to balance out. But 0.24 times four is 0.96, not 1.0, so every leap year the solstice is 45 minutes earlier. This year will be the earliest in 228 years. By 2100, we’ll be a whole day off, so no leap year in 2100.

The point is that June 20th is Litha, or the solstice. The longest day of the year, and traditionally celebrated with a bonfire. The neo-pagans are always wanting a fire. I can’t build a bonfire in downtown Honolulu. But three friends and I went to the Big Island of Hawai’i and hiked the Kilauea volcano crater. Amazing terrain from barren lava fields to older dense forests outside the crater. That’s another view at the top of the page.

And that was my prep for Litha. The eight celebrations of the Wheel of the Year each provide a time to reflect and to reset. My relationship with J continues to evolve. I did someone a favor this week and they commented on my kindness. I very quickly said that J would not allow any other behavior. She is more and more a comforting presence and a test of “what would J do”, than a subject of grief. Though there are certainly things that catch me off-guard and knock me on my ass. But not so often anymore.

The power has been out in Chinatown for three days. So no traffic lights last night. Lots of road flares to direct traffic. That seems to be in the spirit of things. And while I reflect on Litha, I need to eat. In the center are quail Scotch eggs delightfully presented by Podmore. On the right are samosas, pakora, and fiendishly hot pickles from New Kamana Kitchen. I may only have a small candle, but the pickles set the night ablaze.

June 11th is King Kamehameha Day. These people have not forgotten that they were a kingdom. On the left is the Royal Hawaiian Band, a state entity. In the center are pa’u riders, an art restored to prominence to celebrate royal traditions. And on the right, a float honoring Kamehameha and his entourage.

Finally, what a difference a year makes. On the left was last year on June 21. Off the coast of Labrador, in the ice. On the right is the Aloha Tower in Honolulu. Can’t help wondering where next June will find me.