The North Kohala coast is quite rugged and exposed to strong trade winds and weather systems. This was a relatively calm day, but still capable of churning up white water along the shore.
A view along the coast
Author Archives: Graham
Cow on the run
Heading down for my walk at Upolu, I saw this cow on the loose. This isn’t an uncommon occurrence, but the main road is a mile up the hill and the escapees rarely get that far.
This one gave me a suspicious look as she passed. Perhaps she was trying to get rid of the ever-present cluster of flies on her back!
Going about their business
In the early morning, on the waters off Kawaihae, some outrigger canoe paddlers train for a future race while cattle egrets head in the opposite direction to find their cattle.
What big eyes you have
I came across this relatively small Giant Porcupinefish on a recent swim and it headed directly towards me for a short while, before deciding I wasn’t that interesting and swimming off.
Kamehameha Day in the pink
Yesterday was the birthday of King Kamehameha I, the first king to unite all the Hawaiian islands under one leader. He was born in North Kohala, and every year the community celebrates his birthday with ceremonies at his statue in Kapaau and with a parade.
The parade features Pa’u riders representing all the main Hawaiian islands. Each island has an official color and flower. Maui’s flower is the Lokelani rose and its color is pink.
Hawaiian men and women started riding horses, soon after their introduction to the islands in the early 1800s. Sidesaddle riding was common for women in those days, but it was never introduced here. Women learned to ride the same way as men. They wore a Pa’u skirt, 12 yards of colored cloth wrapped in such a way as to preserve their modesty and dignity while riding astride their horse.
The ceremonies include draping leis over the arms of the statue. These leis are made as a mark of respect, by groups and organizations. It can be a tricky business getting the leis into place, especially when there’s a good breeze blowing as there was yesterday.
Posted for this week’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme of ‘Pink.’ See more responses here.
Gecko on a banana flower
This week’s Sunday Stills Color Challenge theme is ‘Pink.’ See more responses here.
Here’s a Gold Dust Day Gecko exploring a banana flower, looking for water or something sweeter. Weather permitting, I hope to have another pink post tomorrow!
Abstracts: Leafy lines
Some light and shadow on the veins of a heliconia leaf.
Scrawled Filefish
I used to see Scrawled Filefishes all the time at the place where I usually go snorkeling. For the past few years they’ve become occasional visitors, so I’m pleased when I run into them these days. This one had the good graces to not only stick around, but to do so in a spot where the light illuminated its wonderful markings.
Graham's Island 