2013-07-04 A Day With Friends - Kukaniloko Birthstones State Historic Site, Wahiawa - Kaiaka Bay Beach Park, Haleiwa/Wailua

On July 4th I got a chance to spend the day with some friends.  We began the day with a visit to the Kukaniloko Birthstones State Historic Site.  The site description is lifted straight from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Parks site.

"Kukaniloko Birthstones is one of the most significant cultural sites on O'ahu. This significance was recognized in the listing of the site on the National and Hawai'i Registers of Historic Places. A 5-acre parcel encompassing the site was acquired by the State of Hawai'i in 1992 and placed under the jurisdiction of State Parks to preserve and interpret this important historic site."

"The site is managed and maintained through a partnership between State Parks, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawa, and the Friends of Kukaniloko. Additional support for interpretive efforts at the site has been provided by the Wahiawa Hospital Association and the Wahiawa Community and Business Association in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Wahiawa (1998)."

"These uplands were a place where chiefs were born, where famed chiefs lived, and where key battles for the control of O'ahu were fought. The royal birthsite of Kukaniloko and the associated Ho'olonopahu Heiau (temple), now destroyed, were within the Waialua district. Nearby was Lihu'e within the lands of Wai'anae Uka. Lihu'e was a noted royal center of O'ahu between A.D. 1400-1500. The chiefs of this area were called Lo chiefs who preserved their chiefly kapu by living in the uplands of Waialua."

"Kukaniloko Birthstones is one of the most significant cultural sites on O'ahu. This significance was recognized in the listing of the site on the National and Hawai'i Registers of Historic Places. A 5-acre parcel encompassing the site was acquired by the State of Hawai'i in 1992 and placed under the jurisdiction of State Parks to preserve and interpret this important historic site."

"The site is managed and maintained through a partnership between State Parks, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawa, and the Friends of Kukaniloko. Additional support for interpretive efforts at the site has been provided by the Wahiawa Hospital Association and the Wahiawa Community and Business Association in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Wahiawa (1998)."

"These uplands were a place where chiefs were born, where famed chiefs lived, and where key battles for the control of O'ahu were fought. The royal birthsite of Kukaniloko and the associated Ho'olonopahu Heiau (temple), now destroyed, were within the Waialua district. Nearby was Lihu'e within the lands of Wai'anae Uka. Lihu'e was a noted royal center of O'ahu between A.D. 1400-1500. The chiefs of this area were called Lo chiefs who preserved their chiefly kapu by living in the uplands of Waialua."

From Kukaniloko we drove into Haleiwa and were fortunate to see the blossoming sun flower field.

Finally we spent the remainder of the day at Kaiaka Bay Beach Park.  Sadly since this visit the park has banned dogs dues to a rash of dog bites.

My friend was a gymnast when she was younger.  She still has pretty good form when she leaps.

2013-07-03 OPMUG & EOH 3rd of July Aloha Tower Marketplace Fireworks Display

Every 3rd of July the Aloha Tower Marketplace has it's own fireworks display.  I've found that the best place to photograph this from, is the Sand Island State Recreation Area.  This year there were several photography groups that showed up to take advantage of the location.  For me, I belong to the Oahu Photography Meetup Group and Eyes Of  Hawaii.

Early on it was pretty quiet, peaceful and not very crowded.

Love the colors on this bench.  This is the backside.

The clouds were high and wispy, the kind I like.

A somewhat motley looking crew of photographers.

The constant wind had a hand in causing this tree to lean.

Finally the fireworks began...two things, they no longer use a barge and due to tightening budgets the display last only a couple of minutes.

 

2013-06-23 & 24 KCC Cactus Garden EOH Meeting Home

We are very slowly getting there.  The Madagascar Gold Dust gecko pictures came from some time I spent in the Kapiolani Community College Cactus Gardens before the monthly Eyes of Hawaii meeting began.

I'm Watchin' You

 Ready or Not, Here I Come

You Lookin' at Me?

 I noticed these mushrooms growing in a small patch of Apple Bananas growing in my yard.

There Are Fungus Among Us

2013-06-23 OPMUG & EOH Eternity Beach SuperMoon

June 23rd the full moon was at it's closest to the earth for 2013.  OPMUG and EOH took advantage of this astronomical occasion to do a shoot from Eternity Beach aka Cockroach Cove, next to the Halona Blow Hole. 

Although the sky was cloudy we had hopes that the clouds would part for the rising moon...nuts!

The high wispy clouds above Koko Head were great.

Looking back on Eternity Beach from the Sandy Beach side of the Halona Blow Hole parking lot.

The clouds remind me of spirits reaching out.

From the beach.

Looking up from the beach

Can you picture Burt Lancaster & Debra Kerr lying here?

Maybe here?

 :-)

I asked a model friend is she would be alright with my taking a couple shots of her.  They turned out 'soft' for the most part but I liked these two.

As the darkness moved in and enveloped us we began twirling steel wool.

2013-06-22 Makai Pier Research Facility

I spent the morning at here while waiting for some friends to show for a photo shoot.