Tag Archives: Hilo

Seascape

Fabric with a blue and white water print

I liked this seascape, even if it’s really a fabric table covering.

The Numbers Game #33

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 154. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A Northern Mockingbird getting ready to eat.

Two Nenes establish the pecking order (Original post here).

Shrapnel found on the ground near where I work.

Hilo Orchid Show

Last week was the annual Hilo Orchid Show. It’s been on my list of things to see for a long time, but I’ve been adept at missing it, either because I forgot to make a note of the date, or because I was working. This year though, purely by chance, I got it on my calendar and headed over to Hilo.

An orchid display at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii

The show was held in Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium, a covered tennis arena that’s open to the air at both ends. I have to say, it was well worth the trip. Only $6 to get in and lots of orchid growers with stalls there too, so there was a golden opportunity to part ways with several hundred dollars more, which I resisted. But best of all was the stunning array of orchids on display. It wasn’t hard to see how people can become obsessed with these beautiful and exotic plants.

Wooden birds at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii

For more information about the show and the Hilo Orchid Society, which organizes it, go to https://www.hiloorchidsociety.org/.

A Cymbidium orchid at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii — Cymbidium orchid

A Phalaenopsis cornu cervi 'Lucky Red' orchid at Hilo Orchid show, Hawaii — Cymbidium orchid

The Numbers Game #26

Sunrise from the road to Mauna Loa Observatory, now no longer accessible since the 2022 eruption.

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 147. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A view of Rainbow Falls in Hilo Hawaii — Rainbow Falls in Hilo.

A Black Triggerfish looking agitated in the waters off Hawaii — An agitated Black Triggerfish.

Hawaiian Zebra blenny and Padina japonica in a tide pool in Hawaii — An agitated Black Triggerfish.

To the winners go the fish

A fishing camp on the coast north of Hilo Hawaii

Last weekend, there was an island-wide fishing tournament. I’d seen people camped out the day before the event, when I went on my walk around Upolu, but on the day, I was on the east side of the island.

This camp caught my eye for its location, at the foot of a steep, wooded cliff. I don’t know whether there’s a path to the spot or whether it’s only accessible by foot. Neither method looks easy, and it’s not a spot I’d want to be in if the winds picked up.

I have no idea how they fared, though they should get some points for bravery. In case you’re wondering, I didn’t enter the tournament, though if I had, I’d have been a strong candidate for dead last!

A peek into Hilo

The Hilo Armory building in Hawaii — The Hilo Armory, dating from 1931, is the home of the Hawaii County Parks and Recreation department. Their budget doesn’t appear to include funds for paint!

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Urban sights.’ See more responses here.

I went to Hilo recently, intending to spend time wandering around the downtown and taking photos. Hilo is the largest town on the island. Naturally, I got distracted on the way, arrived later than intended, and ended up with just a short visit. But while I was there I took these photos.

The Palace Theater building in HIlo Hawaii — The Palace Theater has been around since 1925 and is used for movies, stage shows, and concerts. More information here.

The Hilo Bay Hostel building in Hawaii — The Hilo Bay Hostel building dates back to 1912.

The Puueo Street Bridge in HIlo Hawaii — The Wailuku River marks the north end of downtown Hilo. The Puueo Street Bridge is the middle one of three bridges crossing the river near downtown area. This view is out towards the ocean.

Rainy days and Sundays …

Banana plants thrive in heavy tropical rain. — Rain lashes banana plants in Captain Cook.

… They go together in this week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme of ‘Rainy Days.’ See more responses here.

Kahili ginger in the rain in Kalopa park Hawaii — Kahili Gingers illuminate a wet day in Kalōpā Forest Reserve.

There’s plenty of rain on the Big Island. Most falls on the wet east side, but the dry west side can get its share too. Hilo, on the wet side, averages around 140 inches of rain a year, and just to the west of Hilo is an area that gets more than 200 inches a year. In contrast, Kawaihae, on the Kohala coast, gets around 10 inches of rain annually, though I suspect last year was one of its wetter ones.

Cloud and rain on Mauna Kea — The highway to the Mauna Kea visitor center awash with rain.

Where I live, on the northern end of the island, we get around 50 inches of rain a year, but being on the shoulder of Kohala Mountain, that figure can change quickly going a mile east or west, or a mile up the hill or down toward the ocean.

Rain falls in Hawi, Hawaii — Looking out the window as a passing shower dumps a load of rain.

Windows in Hilo

I like Hilo. It’s the largest town on the island, the seat of county government, and it’s been around a good while. I noticed these windows in the Volcano Block while I was eating at a restaurant across the street.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii