Just a week or so ago, “upended” was the answer to a crossword puzzle clue. I didnʻt know it at the time, but my life was going to evolve into chaos, and be completely upended.

I have been dealing with the problem of termites in my apartment for the last ten years. (Yes, I have termites in my 35th floor apartment!) Itʻs possible that they were present even before that, but itʻs been only in the last ten years that I have had a professional termite contract and had workers treat for the pests every 2-3 months when Iʻve found droppings in my wooden cabinets.

As one website stated:
Hawaii’s warm, humid climate is a paradise not just for tourists, but also for termites. The consistent warmth and moisture create an ideal environment for these pests to thrive year-round. Unlike regions with colder climates where termite activity slows down in the winter, Hawaii’s climate allows termites to remain active, continuously feeding and breeding. This constant activity means that homes and businesses in Hawaii are perpetually at risk of termite infestations. The lush vegetation and frequent rainfall further contribute to the problem, providing ample food sources and moisture that termites need to survive and multiply.

No one is immune to termites — even when you visit historic Iolani Palace where the kings and queens of Hawaii lived, youʻre shown samples of the termite damage. Here is a quick history of the termites at Iolani Palace:

• Past Damage and Restoration: The original ʻIolani Palace was damaged by termites and had to be demolished. After being rebuilt, the new palace continued to experience termite issues, requiring extensive extermination efforts during early restoration phases. In 1930, workers installed steel framing and reinforced the foundation in an effort to keep termites out.
• Ongoing Problem: Termites remain a threat to the Palace, as indicated by recent news and reports. In 2021, pest control companies donated their services to assist with ongoing termite and pest control efforts at the Palace.

And what has changed at the Crosiersʻ Marble Palace? A few days ago, I was given the option of “Heat” treatment, which is what pest control companies do when they cannot tent 40-story buildings like my condominium. As AI told me, heat treatment for termites is a non-chemical pest control method that eliminates infestations by raising the temperature of infested areas to lethal levels for termites. This method, also known as thermal remediation, involves heating the structure to 120-140°F (49-60°C), which is fatal to termites and their eggs. Heat treatment is a popular alternative to chemical treatments, especially for environmentally conscious homeowners, as it leaves no chemical residue. 

In effect, heat treatment is like the proverbial frog in boiling water—by the time the termites realize that itʻs too hot, theyʻre cooked!

BUT — it means that I have two weeks to clear EVERYTHING from my kitchen, office, and master bedroom. That means all my dishes, pots and pans, food in the pantry, clothes, books, music, scrapbooks, even stuff under the bed! You must know what a “Complete Gourmet Kitchen” my husband had — every appliance and gadget known to mankind must now be boxed up and put elsewhere for the duration. For now, Iʻm putting everything in the guest bedroom, but you must know that when we moved to this apartment, it took 100 boxes to pack just stuff for the kitchen!

In three days, Iʻve packed about 30 boxes. But Iʻve only scratched the surface!

Meanwhile … It would be one thing if I didnʻt have other commitments and could devote 24 hours a day to packing up my apartment. However, I have had to work on producing a new season brochure for Early Music Hawaii, so hereʻs a sneak peek.

In the last post, I mentioned my busy upcoming weekend. What I failed to realize, though, was that between Friday night at 7 pm, and Sunday morning at noon, Iʻm actually playing FIVE major services, not four — in the space of approximately 40 hours!

Friday 7 pm: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Markʻs Episcopal Church
Saturday 11 am: Steve Ito Funeral at Nuuanu Congregational Church
Saturday 5 pm: Vigil Mass at St. Markʻs Episcopal Church
Sunday 9 am: Sunday Service at Nuuanu Congregational Church
Sunday 11 am: High Mass at St. Markʻs Episcopal Church

Iʻm also playing in the September Early Music Hawaii concert: two solo pieces as well as several ensemble pieces, which means I have to practice!

Last week was the national conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. I was very sorry to miss it, but after coming back from Europe, I wasnʻt able to be gone again quite so soon. From all reports, there were a number of mountaintop experiences, especially a hymn festival with Tom Trenney and the appearance of the world class VOCES8 choral group. I sent my sister, Doris Au MacDonald, to sit at an exhibit table for the Peter Hallock Institute, in my stead. Her musical partner, Sharon Dennis, sat next to her at an exhibit for The Braeded Chord, the duo that was commissioned to write a communion setting for the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Back to packing for me!