Category Archives: Better Days

Better Days: Honokane Nui Valley trail

Top of Rope section on Honokane Nui Valley trailA steep part of the rope section on Honokane Nui Valley trail

Last May, I posted here about the hike from the end of Highway 270 down to the beach at Pololū and up on to the ridge on the other side. There, a bench awaits the hardy hiker, as well as wonderful views along the coast and into Honokane Nui Valley. I’m happy to report that the bench, which was in bad shape last time I was there, has been replaced by one with a plastic frame. While this might be aesthetically less pleasing, it should last a good deal longer.

I also mentioned that not far beyond this point, the trail into Honokane Nui Valley got wiped out by a landslide in the earthquake of 2006. Now, instead of switch-backing down to the valley floor, the trail goes straight down. The precipitous drop is made passable by a series of ropes, to hang on to on the way down, and to haul on on the way up. It’s a great workout though not necessarily the safest one around. If a rope gives way, it could be a long and nasty fall. Let the user beware.

The top photo shows what the entry into this section of trail looks like. This part is steep, then it drops off out of view. The second photo shows a steeper section with two ropes to hang on to.

For more information about the Pololū hike, go to bigislandhikes.com/pololu-valley/.

Better Days: Hawaiian garden spider

A female Hawaiian garden spider sits in the center of a battered web.
I came across this brightly-colored Hawaiian garden spider, the female of the species, in the late afternoon of a windy day. Her web shows debris that’s been blown in and likely encounters with bugs large and small. The web looks like it’s on its last legs and indeed it is because, at the end of the day, this spider will eat her web (or what remains of it) and start afresh in the morning.

Better Days: Gravesite

The old gravesite at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the Big Island.
In Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, north of Hilo, this gravesite sits close to the ocean, surrounded by tropical foliage. The wording on the sign reads:

Long ago, Onomea Bay was a fishing village, became a rough-water seaport in the 1800’s, and later was inhabited by Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Filipinos who came here to work in the sugar cane fields and to help build the Onomea Sugar Mill. In the early 1900’s, Onomea was deserted and vegetation grew so densely that few signs of habitation could be seen.

When our Founder and his tireless helpers were first clearing this area, they discovered this olden and dignified gravesite. We have never been able to authenticate the origin, although some old-timers believe the gravesite may have belonged to a caretaker’s family, since a cement-made gravesite would not have pre-dated the 1900’s.

Our commitment is to forever preserve this resting place with the utmost care and respect.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

For more information about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, go to htbg.com.