One things I like about the east side of the Big Island is the variety of places where one gets a peek of the ocean through tropical foliage. Sometimes this can be from the main highway that circles the island (the belt highway). More often, it’s from a smaller road.
This view of the Pacific is from a narrow, twisty stretch of the original belt highway, north of Hilo.
Another post on the theme of ‘Glow,’ this week’s WordPress photo challenge.
I saw this green turtle swimming in clear water while out walking. I like how the late afternoon light causes the turtle’s shell to glow in contrast to its cool, blue environment.
A man tries his luck fishing on the shore of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park north of Kailua Kona.
For more information about Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, go to www.nps.gov/kaho/index.htm.
Another layered view, this time of Maui, from North Kohala. Rocks and surf in front, the Alenuihaha Channel in the middle, with Maui in the background, and a layer of cloud thrown in for good measure.
Pololu beach looks like an inviting place to get in the water, especially if you get hot on the hike down. But it’s a very dangerous spot to get in the water with strong rip currents. Local knowledge helps, but even locals get into trouble now and again. One of those places that looks inviting, but only up to a point.
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park sits on the coast south of Kealakekua. It features a huge masonry wall that encloses the pu’uhonua or place of refuge. As the name indicates, this was a place that offered sanctuary to those who had broken sacred laws (kapu) or been defeated in battle. If they reached this place, they would be spared, absolved by a priest, and allowed to return home.
A large portion of the remainder of the park is known as the Royal Grounds where Hawaiian royalty (ali’i) lived. Hale o Keawe sits on the edge of the pu’uhonua and is a heiau that housed the bones of 23 of those ali’i. This gave the heiau tremendous mana, or spiritual energy. The wooden statues are ki’i representing Hawaiian gods. It’s an important structure, both culturally and historically.
For more information about Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.
These little fish were swimming in Kiholo Bay. Freshwater springs bubble into the water here and give it its milky coloring.
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.
