I like old signs like this one on the South Kohala coast. These coastal dirt roads can get a lot of traffic from people fishing or just off-roading so that’s probably why the gate was put in. However, I didn’t see much in the way of vehicles or people when I was there.
June 11 was King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii, celebrating the birthday of the king who first united the Hawaiian Islands under one rule. The day is marked by parades and ceremonies in several places, including here in North Kohala, which is where King Kamehameha was born. The past couple of years, the ceremonies didn’t take place because of Covid restrictions, so this year’s event was the first since then.
I was working on the day, but after work I stopped by to see his statue, which was draped in leis during the ceremonies. It seemed like there was even more floral decoration this year than in previous events, making for a colorful spectacle. But even more striking than the color was the wonderful aroma from the profusion of plumeria flowers in the leis.
The leis are left in place for two or three days before they’re removed. Even when I was there on the first day, some of the flowers were starting to wilt.
Fishponds were places where the early Hawaiians used to raise fish for consumption. Lahuipua’a Fishpond at Mauna Lani is a very large pond which holds many Milkfish. Awa is their Hawaiian name.
These Milkfish were congregated at the entrance gate, no doubt hoping for someone to open it and let them out. The gates can be used for either purpose, but the idea of the ponds is that small fish can enter, but as they get bigger, they can’t get out. The fish in the top photo are far too big to escape through the grill.
There is another way out, as the sign in the second photo notes. Jacks and barracudas sometimes manage to get into the pools and will feed on the juvenile fishes. There are supposedly a couple of very large barracudas in this pool that have so far evaded capture and they’re probably living well off the inhabitants there.
A catamaran sails into the late afternoon sun off the North Kohala coast.
This view of the South Kohala coast is quite typical. An afternoon onshore breeze ruffling the palms with scattered clouds overhead, but still lots of blue sky and, yes, it was comfortably warm.
Leaves float on the surface of one of the Mauna Lani fishponds on the South Kohala coast.
On the South Kohala coast, in front of the Hilton resort, there are several statues, including this Buddha statue. There are a couple of benches facing the statue for those who want to spend some time in quiet contemplation, but one could easily sit the other way, facing out to sea, and feel equally blessed.
A Yellow-fronted Canary checks out its surroundings on the South Kohala coast. Posted in response to this week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme of ‘Feathered Friends.’ See more responses here.
Graham's Island 