Tag Archives: Royal Poinciana

Churches

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The Kalahikiola Congregational Church in Kapaau, Hawaii
The St. Augustines Episcopal Church in Kapaau, Hawaii
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi, Hawaii

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Churches, Temples, and Spiritual Centers.’ See more responses here.

Here’s a few of the churches that can be found in this part of the island.

Kalāhikiola Congregational Church (top photo) is located east of Kapaau, where rainfall is plentiful and the foliage lush. It was built in 1855, though previous versions had existed for some years before this. The church was badly damaged by an earthquake in 2006, but rebuilt in the winter of 2009/2010.

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church (second photo) was founded in 1884 in Kapaau, and expanded in 1913. It sits on a small hill by the main highway.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church (third photo) was founded in Hawi in 1905, but this structure was built in 1925 and continues to be used daily to this day.

Kohala Baptist Church (bottom photo) is located on the road to Pololu at Makapala. It can’t be seen from the road, but there is a sign by the highway pointing out the way. Currently, the church is undergoing some renovations and services are held in the area below the Royal Poinciana tree on the grounds.

The Kohala Baptist Church in Kapaau, Hawaii

Rosy-faced Lovebirds

Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod

I was on an early morning walk at Kawaihae when my camera started flashing red indicating that my battery was about done. On the way back to my car, I noticed these two Rosy-faced Lovebirds in a Royal Poinciana tree, trying to get the better of one of the long seed pods. These birds are also known as Peach-faced Lovebirds and have considerable color variations.

I liked how they took it in turns to try and get to grips with the pod and have a nibble, and I was glad my battery lasted long enough to capture the encounter.

Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod
Two Rosy-faced Lovebirds snack on a Royal Poinciana seed pod

Rosy red

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Color Challenge: Rosy Red.’ See more responses here.

The top photo is a very red gate at the entrance to a newly fenced field. The grey cylinders are protection for something planted inside, possibly macadamia nut trees.

The middle photo shows a group of soldierfishes, mostly pearly soldierfishes, though one or two might be the very similar bigscale soldierfishes.

Finally, the third photo shows the brilliant blossoms of a royal poinciana tree.

Royal poinciana

Royal Poinciana flower spray

Royal Poinciana flowersRoyal poinciana (Delonix regia) is also known as the flame tree. As well as producing a stunning array of crimson flowers, it has lacy-looking leaves and produces long, distinctive seed pods.

I noticed this tree, tucked away at the end of a small commercial area in Kawaihae. The top photo shows an array of flowers. The flowers consist of four red petals with a fifth upright petal which is more yellow and white, as in the photo to the right. The photo below shows three of the seed pods which start out green before turning brown. At the bottom is the full tree. It can do well close to the ocean, as this one is, because it’s salt tolerant.

Royal Poinciana seed pods

Royal Poinciana tree