I was taking one of my regular walks along the coast when, for some reason, I noticed this rock that I must have walked past a hundred times or more. This time, something about the light and shadows suggested the profile of a sitting dog and I immediately dubbed it guard dog rock. Now when I pass it, that’s all I can think of, as if it has always held that significance for me.
Tag Archives: Kohala
Better Days: Fixer upper
This fixer-upper shack sits on the coast not far from Mo’okini Heiau in North Kohala. It comes with a pair of vehicles that could also use a little work.
Must like ladders and have head for heights
A technician works on one of the wind turbines at Hawi Wind Farm. I believe this was just routine maintenance since on the following days I saw a similar sight at the other turbines.
I haven’t yet seen the operation from start to finish, but I suspect that inside the door at the bottom of the tower there’s a way of lowering a line to hook on the tool bags. Then I assume the technician has to climb a ladder to the top.
It’s pretty high up and there are strong winds, which is why the farm is where it is. So I hope the tech in the photo to the left doesn’t lean out too far. Probably not a job I’d be suited for.
Kohala pastoral
A lot of North Kohala is agricultural land. The drive along the mountain road from Hawi to Waimea passes through ranch land, lush and green on the mountain side of the road becoming dry and browner as it slopes towards the ocean. This is cattle country with a good number of horses for the paniolos (cowboys) who tend them – though it has to be said that these days much of the paniolo’s work is carried out on ATVs.
This view is from just off the mountain road looking down toward the ocean.
Big surf
These photos are from the Kohala coast, which is somewhat screened from big Northwest swells by the other islands. I took them around the time of the 31st Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave surf event at Waimea Bay on Oahu. Eddie Aikau was a legendary big wave surfer and lifeguard at Waimea Bay.
It’s the 31st year for the event, but only the ninth time it’s actually been held because the waves have to be big enough for it to ‘go.’ Apparently, the surf this year was the biggest ever. I watched on my computer, which is about as close to waves of that size that I’d want to get, unless I wanted to test just how comprehensive my health insurance is.
There’s a common expression that has emerged from this event. While discussing the dangerous size of the waves before the first Eddie contest, Mark Foo, a professional surfer said, “Eddie would go.” It’s a phrase that resonated and is now applied to many things in Hawaii.
For more information about Eddie Aikau and The Eddie event, go to quiksilver.com/surf/events/eddie-aikau/.
Better Days: Rusting water tank
This old water tank is now quietly rusting away on the Kohala coast.
Whipping across the water
White shirt, white boat, whitecaps.
Racing along.
I saw these guys speeding along the coast on a very windy day, whitecaps everywhere. The outriggers on the kayaks help, but I was happy to be watching from the shore.
Hey, where’s my boat?
The Kohala Mountains seen from the coast
Often, clouds roll in during the day and by late afternoon the Kohala Mountains are obscured. This was one day they remained clear.
Graham's Island 