Tag Archives: On The Coast

One of our barriers is missing

A series of high swells recently, played havoc with the place where I go swimming. Concrete barriers were not only moved around, but one went missing altogether! The decaying parking area was roughed up, with more potholes and cracks appearing. As a result the gate to the parking area was kept closed for several days while ideas were mulled about what to do.

A concrete barrier in the water at Mahukona Hawaii — The missing barrier under the water.

One day, several new concrete barriers appeared, though the missing barrier had been located – near the entry ladder, but underwater. Word leaked out that repairs were to be made. The sunken barrier would be recovered and the holes in the lot filled.

They were true to their word. Next day a crew arrived and the promised work was completed in a day. The barrier was back in place, its smaller replacements removed. The gates were opened and cars flooded in. It looked like a brand new place, relatively speaking.

Yesterday, I went down there to see how the latest big swell looked. The parking lot gate was closed again as expected. The swell was still building, but washed across the lower reaches of the lot. And the recently replaced concrete barrier was on the move again, heading across the parking lot, en route to the channel by the entry ladder!

The swimming entry at Mahukona Hawaii — Calm conditions, but a rather battered looking lot.

The parking area at Mahukona Hawaii — Barriers back in place and potholes filled!

In the pink, or in the red

A Pink hibiscus in Hawaii — A pink hibiscus.

This week’s Sunday Stills Color Challenge theme is ‘Pink and/or red.’ See more responses here.

A firecracker plant in Hawaii — I thought this was a firecracker plant, but I’m not sure now. Either way, it’s red!

Kamehameha Day parade at Kapaau in Hawaii — I thought this was a firecracker plant, but I’m not sure now. Either way, it’s red!

Armas

A lot of people here are involved with outrigger canoe paddling. There’s been a big resurgence in the activity, along with other aspects of traditional Hawaiian life. Several of these canoes are stored at Spencer Beach Park, which is where I saw these armas, floating in the air, like birds on the wing.

Finally, another monk seal

A Hawaiian Monk Seal rests at Upolu on the Big Island of Hawaii

Back on January 25, I posted photos for The Numbers Game that included an old monk seal photo. At the time I thought, I should run this because it’s been ages since I saw a monk seal.

That afternoon, I went for a walk at Upolu and saw this monk seal. I didn’t notice it at first because monk seals tend to blend in well with the rocks they rest on. But when I got closer, I realized what I was looking at. It’s been two and a half years since I last saw one, so maybe I’m out of practice.

I took photos, with a view to being able to identify the seal. I could see red tags in both tail flippers, but the seal’s position left me unable to see what was on the tags. Luckily, just before I left, the seal moved and I was able to get one shot from which I could read the identification.

A Hawaiian Monk Seal tag at Upolu on the Big Island of Hawaii

The seal’s tag read M36, and I sent this photo along with others to the Marine Mammal Center, which tracks monk seals around the islands. I was happy to get a response telling me this monk seal is a female, born in 2020 on Kauai. What was really nice to hear was that she is the pup of BOO, a monk seal I saw several times back in 2016 in the company of I05 (affectionately known as Igor). It’s been almost five years since I saw I05, which could mean bad news or simply that he moved elsewhere. He was not typically a social seal!

Two Hawaiian monk seals tussle in a tide pool. — BOO and IO5 at Upolu in 2016. Original post here.

Yesterday, I went walking at Upolu for the first time in a week and saw the same seal in the same place. I doubt she’s been there the whole time, but perhaps she’s going to make this stretch of coast her new home. One can only hope.

Some things to do on the Big Island

Skydivers in the air above Hawaii — Try skydiving, whether you’ve ever done it before, or not.

Paddleboarders in the waters off Hawaii — For something more mellow, there’s paddleboarding, at least on a morning like this one.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Something to Do.’ See more responses here.

There’s plenty to do here on the Big Island, with outdoor activities available year round. Here’s a selection.

Canoe paddlers practice in the waters off Hawaii — Another paddling option is in canoes…

A fisherman tries his luck in the waters off Hawaii — Perhaps a spot of fishing is more your style.

Going for a swim in Hawaii — There’s lots of places to go for a swim.

Sunbathing on a beach in Hawaii — Or you could kick back, relax, and do nothing, which is still something, right?

Hello, mate

On a recent walk, I noticed the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle in the top photo, wandering around on the ground.

Two Seven-spotted Lady Beetles in Hawaii

Soon, a second one came into view, then turned around and headed off again.

A minute or so later, it reappeared and, without so much as a “Hi, my name’s Frank. And you?’ he climbed aboard. The two of them lurched about on the little rock, so I took my leave, and left them to it.

Two Seven-spotted Lady Beetles mating in Hawaii

The Numbers Game #5

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into your computer’s search bar and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. I typed in a few numbers and up popped photos I’d forgotten about, so I thought this would be a fun way to feature some photos that ran a while ago, but warranted another airing.

A Hawaiian monk seal rests on the coast of Hawaii — Hawaiian Monk Seal resting.

A Lesser grass-blue butterfly in Hawaii — Hawaiian Monk Seal resting.

This week’s number is 126. Ironically, for this first response, it turned out that three of these photos haven’t run before, but have been languishing in my archives.

A Green Turtle dives in the waters off Hawaii — Green turtle diving.

You can see more responses here.

A tail of a whale

A humpback whale slaps its tail in the waters off Hawaii

Yesterday, I posted photos from the latest of a series of swells rolling in from the northwest. After the last one, and before the next, I got in the water for a swim. It wasn’t great. Visibility was poor and the swells were still a good size.

The highlight of the swim was drying off afterwards and seeing several Humpback Whales active not far offshore. There were a few good breaches, which naturally escaped my camera, but I did get photos of some vigorous tail slapping, which was fun to see.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii