Tag Archives: Wordpress Photo Challenge

Alakaha ramp on the 1871 Trail

Lookng down Alakaha Ramp with Keanae'e Cliffs on the rightA view of Alakaha Ramp and Alakaha Bay.

In 1871, an old trail from Nāpō’opo’o to Ho’okena was improved to make it passable for horses. Because of this, it became known as “Two Horse Trail.” The northern section of this trail was paved in 1918, but the southern section was left untouched and this became the 1871 Trail, which heads south from Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

One feature of this trail is the Alakaha ramp at the southern end of Alakaha Bay. The ramp was built to allow trail users to safely ascend Keanae’e Cliffs.

According to bigislandhikes.com, “Prior to the construction of the ramp, access to Ki’ilae (an ancient village) was by ladder or rope only. The earliest mention of the ramp is from 1868, but the ramp likely existed prior to that time. The ramp requires periodic maintenance. It had deteriorated so much in the early 1900s that cowboys called the ramp the “one foot out trail” because they always kept one foot out of the stirrups in case they needed to bail off their horse.”

The top photo looks down the ramp with Keanae’e Cliffs on the right. In the middle photo, the ramp and trail with Alakaha Bay on the left. Below, hiking up toward the ramp with Keanae’e Cliffs on the left.

For more information about the 1871 Trail, and other hikes on the Big Island, go to bigislandhikes.com.

For more information about Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm.

Lookng up Alakaha Ramp with Keanae'e Cliffs on the left.

A gold dust day gecko ponders refreshment on a bird of paradise

A gold dust day gecko sits on bird of paradise flower.A gold dust day gecko sits on bird of paradise flower.

Gold dust day geckos have a lot of character. They’re largely unperturbed by human presence, often just returning the gaze of the big-headed creature looking at them. If they do feel threatened, they’ll disappear in an instant, usually just running off, but sometimes hurling themselves into space before sticking to whatever surface they were aiming for.

I found this gecko on a bird of paradise flower. I like the cheeky grin above, then the look of contemplation, and finally the reward.

A gold dust day gecko drinks from a bird of paradise flower.

The view north from Pu’u Wa’awa’a

The view from a bench of the hike up Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a.

Another post on the WordPress photo challenge theme of ‘serene.’

The hike up Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a is a steady climb, but there are several benches along the way for a quiet break. This bench looks north, toward the South Kohala coastline and North Kohala hills.

The trail isn’t crowded at any time of day, but in the early morning, it’s positively serene.

For more information about Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a and its trails, go to puuwaawaa.org.

Mauna Kea pu’us

Signs of old volcanic activity on Mauna Kea.

Another post on the WordPress photo challenge theme of ‘serene.’

To me this Mauna Kea scene, of an empty landscape in early evening light backed by pillow-like clouds, is quite serene. But is it really? Those fluffy clouds could contain the kind of turbulence that throws airplanes around, and the pu’us are evidence of volcanic eruptions in the past. Still, it does look serene.

Statues at the Painted Church at Honaunau

Statues in the garden below the Painted Church at Honaunau.

Another post on the WordPress photo challenge theme of ‘serene.’

I’m not a religious person, but I’ve always enjoyed visiting churches. The interiors are usually calm and quiet, and the graveyards and grounds outside have their own serenity. These statues can be found in the garden below the Painted Church at Honaunau.

For more information about the Painted Church at Honaunau, go to thepaintedchurchhawaii.org/.

Upolu sunset

Sunset from Upolu Point on the Big Island of Hawaii

Another post on the WordPress photo challenge theme of ‘serene.’

Hawaii’s weather is largely influenced by the northeast trade winds and some places on the Big Island are renowned for being windy. North Kohala is one of those places. Strong winds can blow for days on end and, off the coast, the ocean is often a flurry of whitecaps and spray.

But when the wind relents, the ocean calms and can produce a serene scene such as this sunset below Upolu Airport.