State and county parks have quite a few restrictions regarding their use, but this sign illustrates that it might be better to plan on having brunch there, rather than breakfast!
Signs: Park hours
Category Archives: Scenes
Hawaii Amakihi feeding
I saw this endemic Hawaii Amakihi on the slopes of Mauna Kea, feeding at Mamane flowers. The Hawaii in the name refers, not to the state, but to the island of Hawaii, otherwise known as the Big Island. There are different species on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.
SSV Robert C. Seamans at anchor
This rather splendid sailing vessel was anchored recently, for a few days, in front of Mauna Kea Resort. It’s the Robert C. Seamans, a 134-foot steel-hulled brigantine that, despite its classic appearance, was built in 2001. The vessel is a Sailing School Vessel (SSV) operated by the Sea Education Association, which conducts sail training and research.
For more information about the Robert C. Seamans and Sea Education Association, go to https://sea.edu/.
A view along the coast
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.
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.
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.
Sunset with palms
I happened to glance out of the window on a recent evening and saw a nice sunset in progress. My house is not great for sunset photos, with power lines and trees getting in the way. If I walk down the drive towards the street, there’s a spot that’s not too bad for photos. But these days I have a new option.
The house below has been empty for months – and falling rapidly into disrepair – but it has some clean and open views (though not the “expansive views of Maui” in the real estate listing). So I marched down there and took advantage of the gorgeous skies and lovely palm silhouettes that were on offer.
Graham's Island 