Cane grass and other plants are well on their way to overwhelming this old truck.
Category Archives: Series
Abstracts: Disappearing eel
I thought I’d seen the last of a large undulating eel when it slid under a ledge, but it re-emerged, only to slide into a crease in this patch of coral. The tail was visible for a short while, giving me this final peek, until that too disappeared.
Abstracts: Bluff
Another post on the theme of ‘Rounded,’ this week’s WordPress photo challenge.
This formation caught my eye, reminding me of the rounded bluffs of the Southwest. This bluff, though, is just bluffing. It’s the result of heavy rain on a large patch of silt and dirt, in an erosion control area.
Abstracts: Electric substation
A final post on the theme of ‘Glow,’ this week’s WordPress photo challenge.
An electric substation in the late afternoon light. I like these kinds of facilities with their metal frames, wires, and boxes with the Frankenstein-like insulators on top. Grab hold of those wires, and I’d glow too.
Signs: Mauna Kea summit
Above: The sign by the start of the trail to Mauna Kea summit.
Below: Two disrespectful people and one more on the way, dwarfed by the scale of the volcano.
Abstracts: Kohala grass
Cattle trails wander through pastureland on Kohala Mountain.
Better Days: Old Pu’u Wa’awa’a blockhouse
A few days ago I posted (here) about the view from an old blockhouse on the Pu’u Wa’awa’a trail. Today, I’m taking a look inside. As I mentioned before, the building is now a shelter for livestock with assorted detritus on the floor, but light through the empty windows still casts a bright image on the painted walls.
For more information about Pu’u Wa’awa’a and its trails, go to puuwaawaa.org.
Signs: Water shortage
I was in Kailua Kona recently when I saw this electronic sign flashing “Emergency Water Restriction” and “Stop Sprinkler Use.” The irony, of course, was that I saw the sign during the kind of tropical downpour that washes cars, trees, and houses away. The road I was on was a shallow river. Entering one store, I had to wade through water lapping at my calves.
Kona’s water supply has been in trouble for several weeks now, but it’s nothing to do with rainfall. The water supply comes from wells and several of the pumps have broken down. Most of the pumps are different so each has its own unique spare parts. The one, brand new, spare pump available proved to be defective.
How was such a situation allowed to happen? Well, that’s a good question and people in high places are concerned. Serious questions are being asked. New procedures are being drawn up. Those responsible will be held to account. Just kidding on that last one. That’s not really how things work here.
Graham's Island 