Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach, showing that famous turquoise water and powder-white sand.

Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas.  These used to be pretty rare when I was a kid.  However, the population has rebounded significantly, now that they are no longer hunted.  They are generally unafraid of people and can often be seen coming up to breathe, even at some of the most busy beaches.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal Strikes Again

Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi, on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu. Now what's the chance of running into an endagered Hawaiian Monk seal, not just once in a lifetime, but twice in a week? This time it was a few miles to the East on Waikiki Beach. The seal apparently arrived at 10am and lounged around the beach until around 4:30pm whereupon it waddled slowly into the sea, perhaps to catch a quick meal of fish from within the marine preserve before sunset.

Iolani Place Etched Glass

Etched glass in relief off the front doors of Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii. Iolani Palace is not a grand castle but perhaps, on the order of a decent mansion of the time. This is where the Kings and Queens of Hawaii kept court. The etched glass harks back to a more innocent time, a time of hula and of trust and naivete. It saddened me a little, looking at this etched glass for it speaks to the innocence of days of old, an innocence that has long since been lost. While Hawaii has gained much by becoming a part of America, there is also undeniably much of the culture and ambiance of the islands that is forever lost. Change is like the wind upon the mountain peaks, forever eroding the landscape and leaving little trace of what once was.

Honolulu

Honolulu from Ala Moana Beach Park. Sometimes you get the lighting just right. In this case, the setting sun had gone below the storm clouds, lighting up the beach and city in radiant light against the stormy backdrop.

The darker colored water is the reef that keeps the waves out of Ala Moana Beach, making it one of the favorite places for locals to swim. The turqoise blue water is the channel where there typically is a turtle or two swimming by. Those buildings are largely new, having been built in the last 10-20 years.

Kapok Tree

Kapok Tree, Ceiba Pentandra, Foster Botanical Gardens, Honolulu, Hawaii. These trees date back to the times of the Hawaiian Royalty (1800s) and are totally huge, reminding me of giant columns or perhaps of the California redwoods.

The Beaches Are Empty and Calling Just for You

Magic Island Beach Park, Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii has been hit pretty hard by the recession and tourism is way down. Bad news for Hawaii but perhaps good news for you if you're looking for empty beaches and merchants that will bend over backwards for your business! Don't forget to check out my Hawaii page: www.melekohola.com.

Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus, Hawaiian Style

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus -- Hawaiian Style, Festival of Lights, City Hall, Honolulu, Hawaii. Mayor Frank Fasi started an annual Christmas tradition (many years ago) with huge Christmas figures and a wonderful display of decorated trees originally from a Christmas tree charity comnpetition and now from the different departments in the city. There was even a Hawaii-inspired wreath competition. Even better, meter parking on holidays is free so you can go down and see the festivities at your leisure. Note that Santa is flashing a Shocka (friendly Hawaiian greeting) sign and Mrs. Claus is wearing a Muumuu!

Long Nosed Wrasse

Long Nosed (Bird) Wrasse, Gomphosus varius, Honolulu, Hawaii. These fish use their long snouts to reach into coral crevices to pull out the small crustaceans that they eat. The males are green and the females are black and white (dimorphic).

White Agave on Lava

White Agave growing on Lava Rock, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Go Fly a Kite!

These kids were out flying a kite while I was stuck in traffic in Honolulu. The traffic there has gotten really bad in the last couple of years but it gave me a chance to look out the window and think about what it was like to be a kid again. We all have to grow up sooner or later but just thinking about how much joy and excitement it was to do a simple thing like fly a kite makes me wish we could stay young a little longer.

Dog Days of Winter?

Okay so dog days are normally in the summer... However, this African dog was definitely enjoying a nap in the Sun at the Honolulu Zoo. I particularly liked how the sun glistened off of his fur hence the picture.

For those of you buried under two feet of snow in Denver, perhaps you're overdue for a little time in Hawaii! Check out the Mele Kohola link on the right.

Large Orange Sulphur Butterfly

I suspect that this is a Large Orange Sulphur Butterfly, Phoebis agarithe. They were flitting around in profusion on the wet side of Oahu but almost never landed anywhere where I could get a good snapshot of them. I finally found one that was willing to stay still long enough to get a photo outside the Honolulu Zoo, half an island away. As opposed to their name, these butterflies are a wonderful lemon yellow. Of course, I might have misidentified them as well.