Category Archives: Hawaiian History

Manago Hotel

The Manago Hotel in Captain Cook, Hawaii

The Manago Hotel is a well-known spot on the island. It opened in Captain Cook back in 1917 and has been in business ever since. But recently, it was announced that the building is being acquired by a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization, which will convert it into affordable housing for people working for community services.

The hotel has its own restaurant and that will continue to operate in the new arrangement. This will be good news to many, since the restaurant is renowned for it’s pork chops, which I can verify are excellent.

Tilapia nests

Tilapia in a fishpond at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island, Hawaii

When I was down at Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park recently, I noticed, possibly for the first time, these circles in some of the fishponds. They are the nests of male Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). The males hope to entice a female into laying her eggs in their nest, after which the male will fertilize them.

Tilapia were introduced to the fishponds to control mosquitoes, but like many such ideas, they have proved detrimental to the well-being of native species. Currently, efforts are underway to remove them from the ponds.

For more information about Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

Tilapia in a fishpond at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island, Hawaii

Another brush fire

A brush fire at Lapakahi on the North Kohala coast, Hawaii
A brush fire at Lapakahi on the North Kohala coast, Hawaii

I was driving home yesterday when I noticed some haze blowing out to sea. I thought it was rain at first, but quickly realized that this was smoke, likely another brush fire, and my heart sank. I was halfway home. Up ahead was Lapakahi and beyond that, Mahukona, two places I spend a lot of time at.

As I got closer I saw that the fire was burning at Lapakahi. Traffic was still passing on the highway though the land beside it was black and smoking. But strong trade winds had blown the fire, which apparently started near the park entrance, down towards the ocean.

A brush fire at Lapakahi on the North Kohala coast, Hawaii

My guess is the fire had been going less than an hour when I got there, though a considerable area had already burned. Fires were burning along the north edge of the area, not far from the road, but the most smoke and bigger flames could be seen closer to the ocean. It looked like the small visitor center had escaped, surrounded as it is by the looping access road. But other structures might not have been so lucky, and the native plants, birds and insects probably did not fare well.

A brush fire at Lapakahi on the North Kohala coast, Hawaii
A brush fire at Lapakahi on the North Kohala coast, Hawaii
A brush fire at Lapakahi on the North Kohala coast, Hawaii

In the pink, or in the red

A Pink hibiscus in Hawaii
A pink hibiscus.

This week’s Sunday Stills Color Challenge theme is ‘Pink and/or red.’ See more responses here.

A firecracker plant in Hawaii
I thought this was a firecracker plant, but I’m not sure now. Either way, it’s red!
Kamehameha Day parade at Kapaau in Hawaii
Kamehameha Day parade in Kapaau.
Kamehameha Day parade at Kapaau in Hawaii
I bet the guy in the photo is thinking, ‘I’d look good in that hat.’
A Pinktail Triggerfish in the waters off Hawaii
A Pinktail Triggerfish. How do they come up with these names?
Kamehameha Day parade at Kapaau in Hawaii
Fishing on the North Kohala Coast.

A window to my world

A view through the windows of Pepeiao Cabin in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Looking out through a window at Pepeiao Cabin in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Through a Window.’ See more responses here.

A variety of photos this week, with captions on the photos.

Two Common Waxbills in Hawaii
A pair of Common Waxbills seen through the bathroom window. It’s a good vantage point for watching and photographing birds, so long as I remember to clean it once in a while.
A view through a window at the old Bond Library in Kapaau, Hawaii
Looking through a window into the old Bond Library in Kapaau, currently in the process of renovation.
Rain falling in North Kohala, Hawaii, seen through a vehicle windscreen
Looking out from my old truck on the drive down to Upolu Airport.
A view from the air of Kohala Ranch in Hawaii
A view of Kohala Ranch through a helicopter window. I like how the white fencing stands out.
Windows at a building site in hawaiiA broken window in Hawaii
A look through new windows at a construction project at Hapuna. Sadly, one of the new windows already had something go through it.

Looking back at 2023

Late afternoon sun of the coast of Kohala, Hawaii
January: Approaching sunset off the Kohala coast (link).
A chocolate birthday cake
February: A yummy birthday cake (link).

Sunday Stills challenge theme this week and next week is ‘Your 2023 Year-in-Review.’ See more responses here. As before, I’m going with a favorite photo from each month of 2023, with a caption and link to the post the photo first appeared in. This week, I’m posting favorites from January through June. See the rest of the year next week.

A praying mantis drinks from a puddle of water
March: Time for a drink (link).
A manta ray swims in the waters off Hawaii
April: Meeting a manta (link).
Piglets wrestle for a mango
May: They’re not cute and funny these days (link)!
Leis draped on King Kamehameha statue
June: The king’s birthday (link).