Let me educate you on a Keiki. The word, Keiki, is Hawaiian. Think about Hawaii. What do you picture? Lilo and Stitch? That’s okay, me too. I love Stitch. I especially like that Surf scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fF4i0qkCFM

What’s that famous word now everyone knows because of that movie? Ohana. I’ve never been to Hawaii, but I live where the same plants can grow. My property is my own Hawaii as I nourish and farm orchids all around my house. I encourage that vibrant wet green, though it’s a nuisance in the morning when a White Bird of Paradise frond soaks my freshly steamed blouse.  Or a few mosquitos sneak their way into the house through the open French doors.

            Hawaii like Miami is subtropical/tropical, and to my surprise last week, a tangible piece of Hawaiian culture is sprouting in my own front yard. It is called a Keiki; generally, in Hawaiian, it seems to mean “child” or “offspring” (I may be wrong. I’m not Hawaiian). What’s interesting is how a reoccurring thread of Hawaiian culture is present in these “mainstreamed” words, “Ohana,” and “Keiki.” What’s the value? Family. Aside, a Keiki, actually isn’t a child or a baby, but rather an impressive clone created by its original to ensure the passage of DNA. Many times (not always), the original orchid is under duress and seeking generational survival. It’s pretty impressive to create yourself again, without any help from anyone else.

When I spotted the Keiki, as an amateur orchid grower, I cried a little. All the Youtubers explain how rare and special a Keiki is. So, to see one at last was a victory, like finally reaching a summit.

While I’m overjoyed to have my Keiki in the garden, as a critical thinker and poet, I can’t help but suspect that my delight is connected to the word, “Keiki.” A piece of Hawaii, like a freak asteroid, has landed in my back yard, along with all the pop connotations of Hawaiian culture such as “Ohana means family” and representations of bountiful Hibiscus flowers, perfect waves and paradise.

But maybe it’s something more? This drawing to my orchids. It’s not just my inner hippie imagining things. There’s science to it. It’s called Biophilia. ‘Biophilia’ basically emphasizes the stability, health and well-being at the psychological or emotional level that arises from the relationship between humans and nature (Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2021).

The presence of my Keiki orchid in my garden serves as a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and nature, evoking a sense of joy and fulfillment deeply rooted in the cultural and scientific dimensions of Biophilia.

While initially drawn to the aesthetic beauty and cultural resonance of Hawaiian flora, my appreciation for these plants transcends sentimentality. Rather, it embodies the intrinsic bond between humanity and the natural world, as evidenced by the principles of Biophilia.

As I continue to nurture my orchids and cultivate my connection to nature, I am reminded of our symbiotic relationship with the environment. Through Biophilia, we not only find solace and inspiration but also cultivate a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance that sustains life on this planet and in my home.