Mālama ‘Āina means to care for the land, an important concept in Hawaiian life, an important concept for everyone. This sign was near Kiholo campground.
Category Archives: Signs
Signs: Do not climb
This week’s posts are in response to the WordPress photo challenge on the theme of ‘transient.’
This sign is attached to one of two mimosa trees near King Kamehameha’s statue in Kapaau. The trees are huge with the kind of bumps and hollows that invite exploration. They’re believed to be more than 100 years old.
Not long after taking this photo, I was somewhat taken aback to see the trees almost devoid of foliage, the limbs hacked back. It turns out that one of the trees basically split in two, took out power and water lines, a chunk of the other tree, and blocked the road. It was, as they say in potboilers, rotten to the core. The cleanup is still in process, but will likely involve the removal of both trees, more than a century old, but transient in the larger scheme of things.
Signs: Falling coconuts
This view is the best for determining if any coconuts are falling. A roundish object getting rapidly larger is a good sign that they are indeed earthbound. Getting such a photo is not without danger, but that’s all part of life in the tropics.
Signs: Kiholo campsite
The campground at Kiholo is located at the end of a gravel road and is only open Friday through Sunday nights. It has eight sites that must be reserved in advance. There are portable toilets, but no other facilities, and no water. So what’s the attraction? Well, let’s see if the photo offers any clues. (Sorry, but the yacht doesn’t come with the reservation.)
For more information about camping at Kiholo, go to camping.ehawaii.gov/camping/all,details,57781.html
For more information about Kiholo Bay, go to bigislandhikes.com/kiholo-bay/
Signs: Without authorization
I assume this was once a no admittance sign, but I like this sign the way it is. Perhaps these are unauthorized ohia trees growing rogue.
Signs: Rainbows next 3 miles
I saw this sign when I was hiking out to see the current lava flow from Pu’u O’o to the ocean. Sure, the sign was a little vague, but I figured it must refer to the rainbow which it appeared to point to.
By golly, the sign was right. There were rainbows for the next 3 miles.
Signs: Have mercy
I enjoyed the message in front of the local Catholic church during the recent IRONMAN race, which is a decidedly merciless event consisting of a 2.4 mile open-water swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon run. Looks like someone might be about to have a problem with his bike chain, too.
For more information about IRONMAN, go to Ironman.com.
Signs: High surf
This is what people think of when they think of Hawaii: golden sand, blue water, and rolling surf at Hapuna beach, often touted as one of the best beaches in the world. Trouble is sometimes the surf gets too big, which is when the lifeguards have to get busy. Not sure the surf in this photo warrants the sign, but even small surf can cause trouble for people unfamiliar with it.
Graham's Island 