Category Archives: Weather

Catchment water

A Catchment water tank in Volcano Village, Hawaii

A lot of people on the Big Island live off the grid, sometimes by choice, often because those services aren’t available. Larger urban areas like Hilo and Kailua Kona have decent options, but the more rural the area, the less that’s available. Where I live, there’s public power and water, but no sewer system.

Because of this, catchment water tanks are a common sight, especially on the east side of the island, where there’s more rainfall. This one was in Volcano Village at a vacation rental. Generally, catchment water is used for everything except human consumption. Some homes install systems to purify catchment water to make it drinkable. Otherwise, drinking water is delivered by tanker or can be obtained by filling bottles at public water spigots located around the island.

The Numbers Game #125

Ferns curl overhead.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 247. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A baby gecko in house blinds
A baby gecko in the blinds.
Light bulbs shining in a dark space
Light bulbs.
A sign on a tire inflation station in Hawaii
You got a tire, we got air!
A shop sign in Hawi, Hawaii
Woo-Woo Shop in Hawi.
Rainbow Chubs in the waters off Hawaii
Rainbow Chubs on the move.
Raindrops on ti leaves in Hawaii
Raindrops on Ti leaves.

The Numbers Game #123

This Gold Dust Day Gecko was exploring a Pink Ginger moments before it was chased away by a Coqui Frog resting in the flower. Can you spot it?

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 245. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A kayak fisherman in Hawaii
A kayak fisherman paddles by.
Boats on blue water in Hawaii
A couple of boats ply the waters off the South Kohala coast.
A small Blue helicopter waits on a helipad at Hapuna, Hawaii
A blue helicopter at rest.
A gulch at Kalopa State Park.
Hiking down the Hilina Pali Trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Tzatziki, the white tiger at Pana’ewa Zoo and Gardens in Hilo Hawaii
Tzatziki enjoying the shade at Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens.

The Numbers Game #122

Opening ceremonies at the Kamehameha Day Parade in Kapaau, Hawaii
Opening ceremonies at the Kamehameha Day Parade in Kapaau.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 244. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A Ruddy Turnstone on the coast in Hawaii
A Ruddy Turnstone on the coast.
A Green Turtle on the rocks in Hawaii
A Green Turtle temporarily stuck on a rock.
Hawaiian compass and dive boat at Kohanaiki park, Hawaii
Hawaiian Compass at Kohanaiki Beach Park.
This bench is one of two on the summit of Puu Waawaa, and this is the view looking north toward the coast and the Kohala mountains.
View from Pu’u Wa’awa’a looking north toward the coast and the Kohala mountains.
A Hawaiian zebra blennie in a tide pool on the Big Island
A Hawaiian Zebra Blenny in a tide pool
Two cats squabble at a food bowl in Hawaii
Two cats sharing a food bowl.

Lili`uokalani Gardens

A bridge at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
This stone bridge is near the center of the park.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘National Garden Month.’ See more responses here.

A while ago, I spent some time in Lili`uokalani Gardens, in Hilo. The gardens cover almost 25 acres, including Moku Ola, better known as Coconut Island. They date back to 1917 and are named after Queen Liliʻuokalani, who was the last ruling monarch of Hawaii, before the kingdom’s overthrow by the U.S.A. in 1893.

An entrance to Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
The North Torii gate entrance.
A plane coming in to land seen from Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
It’s not the quietest park with planes passing through the trees!
A bridge at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
This wooden bridge is the third version, the first two having been destroyed in tsunamis.

Over the years, tsunamis have damaged the gardens, which are situated on the waterfront. But reconstruction, after these events, has restored and improved the gardens and kept them as an integral part of Hilo’s downtown.

Palms in Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
There aren’t a lot of flowers, but there are many palms and other trees.
The Fukuoka Lantern in Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
The Fukuoka Lantern.
A Lantern in Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii
Another lantern with palms as a backdrop.

For more information about Lili`uokalani Gardens, go to https://www.liliuokalanigardens.org/