Category Archives: Hawaiian History

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

Another brush fire

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.

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.

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 — I thought this was a firecracker plant, but I’m not sure now. Either way, it’s red!

Windows in Hilo

I like Hilo. It’s the largest town on the island, the seat of county government, and it’s been around a good while. I noticed these windows in the Volcano Block while I was eating at a restaurant across the street.

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 through a window into the old Bond Library in Kapaau, currently in the process of renovation.

Windows at a building site 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.

A 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.

Ku’ula rock

In this view of the coast at Lapakahi State Historical Park, the large rock in the foreground was believed to be the home of Ku’ula, the fishing god. Local fishermen would leave a portion of their catch for him and, in return, would catch many fish next time they went out.

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).

Sunrise from Pelekane Beach

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Waiting for Peace.’ See more responses here.

This peaceful scene was taken at Pelekane Beach in Kawaihae. It’s a favorite spot of mine for an early morning walk, when it’s very quiet and calm. But it hasn’t always been that way.

In the late 1700s, King Kamehameha I ruled the north and west parts of Hawaii Island, but was engaged in a war with his cousin who ruled in the east. Kamehameha was advised to build a sacrificial temple for Kūkaʻilimoku, the war god. So Kamehameha had Puʻukoholā Heiau built. That’s the structure silhouetted on the hill to the left of the photo.

Kamehameha invited his cousin to the site, ostensibly to talk peace, but when his cousin arrived, he and his entourage were duly captured and became the first sacrifices to dedicate the temple. So not so peaceful after all. But this action ultimately led to Kamehameha being able to bring all the islands under his rule, ending many years of fighting and bringing stability and peace to Hawaii.

That situation largely lasted until the late 1800s when the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in a coup d’état by a group seeking annexation to the United States. This duly happened, though the aftershocks of this event continue to disturb the peace in the islands to this day.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii