Wild /  by Dave Hileman

Who knew that wild goats were an issue in Hawaii, or at least they are on the Big Island. We saw quite a few in our five days here. This was the first group, a family of four working their way down the old lava flow toward the sea. Mom watched the “kids.” Dad watched us. There are so many in this area near HOnaunau Park that they have built a fence to keep them out of some parts and gave away - no idea to whom or how, sorry I should not butt in like that:) - 400 goats last spring. The ranger said that they estimate about 300 births since then, so not much headway in goat control.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (NP #320 Two Lane Touring) /  by Dave Hileman

The visit to this park was fascinating. It was the site of the ruling family of the island of Hawaii (or a portion of it) for generations. The structure surrounded by tiki poles and a fence was the burial site of kings, at least 23 were buried here dating from about 1450 to 1818. The lava rock wall beside it was the base for a massive temple and the long wall, about a mile more, enclosed a “city of refuge” where people who broke a Kapu or a warrior defeated in battle could flee here and be absolved by a priest of their death sentence. Of course they had to make it here pursued by those who did not want them set free. There were royal fish ponds, a boat house and many more unrestored sites on the property. The VC had an excellent movie about one man’s journey to freedom. The grounds and the cove were so pretty and we just loved being here. We also hiked about a one mile trail to a cliff overlook. We passed other foundations, saw several Konane carved into the lava https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kōnane) and our first wild goats.

This is Kōnane, similar to the Japanese game of Go. The board could be any size with lava and coral pieces. These were high stakes games with much being bet on individual moves.

A small portion of the huge rock wall, 10 feet tall, 15 feet deep and no cement. Enclosed the city of refuge.

The boat house for repair or building a new canoe.

World War II, Valor in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor Unit (NP #319 Two Lane Touring) /  by Dave Hileman

This was a long anticipated visit. Pearl Harbor did not disappoint even with high expectations. We visited the area the day after arrival in Oahu. We took a city bus from our hotel to the National Park. While it took an hour, it was only 1.25 each way and the tours from the hotel started at $45 each, very frugal:). Plus we could stay as long as we wished. You must make a reservation for the boat to the Arizona Memorial and we were scheduled for 1:00 so we arrived on site about 10:30. We had to check our backpacks as no bags are permitted on the site.

First we toured the submarine Bowfin. (I wrote about that boat on September 17th.) We also enjoyed the submarine museum and the memorial to all the US subs lost at sea. Moving spot. There are a few buildings associated with the VC here, including one museum for the War in the Pacific and one on the attack on the military in Oahu including Pearl Harbor. They were well presented. Cindy and I were both surprised by the number of military units attacked before the primary attack on the ships. There were also some great stories about the civilians associated with the bases. We then moved to a third building where we were given some instructions on protocol for the ride to and while on the Arizona Memorial. This portion was run by the Navy and the NPS. Because of the restrictions photos were difficult to take of the whole memorial. You were not permitted to take them from the boat, the dock or the ramp, only on the memorial itself. I got one brief shot of the side of the structure and the flag at half mast with the permission of the ranger on the ramp. One.

The actual memorial is simple with a mostly open top and sides and a list of the service men, nearly 1200, who died on the Arizona and are interred here. The marble wall of names took up one end of the mmemorial. There are a couple plaques and a small model of the harbor. The bulk of the ship is just visible below the surface with a few small portions out of the water. One spot showed the oil still leaking out of the ship, slowly, now doing so for 81 years. Made it seem somehow more real. You are permitted on the memorial for about 25 minutes and talking is only allowed at a whisper and that is enforced by the ranger on site. It does give a dose of reality to what occurred here, the lost lives and the momentous events that ensued from 12/07/1941.

We were not allowed on Ford Island because we did not get tickets to the USS Missouri or the Aviation Museum. At the present time that is the only way onto the island even though there is a walk and some officers quarters usually open they were not the day we visited.

The forward gun turret, the flag at permeant half mast, the berth platform and the side of the Memorial.

The submarine memorial. There were a couple dozen of these stones each with a list of the men lost and a recap the boat’s service. You can see the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri in the distance.

The massive gun turret.

A small portion of the wall of names.

Oil seepage.

The flag is visible in one of the open roof panels.

Birds /  by Dave Hileman

These are two Saffron Finches. They are among the 22 birds I saw that are new to me on this trip. Since Hawaii is not North America they cannot be added to my list of NA birds however, I have now 29 birds in my new Oceania list. I really missed my long lens on this trip for taking photos of birds and I missed a lot of those opportunities. Just did not have the room in the case for it, but if there is a next time!

Surf Riders /  by Dave Hileman

As I type this in the Seattle Airport I have been up for 27 hours. My text will likely be even more jumbled than usual. However, getting home - in the midst of a hurricane - at 6 this evening will add another 6 or 7 hours to the total and clearly syntext will be completely gone, so posting for October 1 this morning.

We enjoyed watching the surfers off of North Beach in Maui. The best waves are here and most of the serious surfers seem to be as well. The photos were tough. I was on a high cliff a long way from the action and from where they would catch a wave and then a bit more toward shore the light changed dramatically. And I did not have my trusty 100-400 lens. So with all that complaining out of the way, two of the many surfers from our last day in Hawaii.

Leaving Hawaii /  by Dave Hileman

Two weeks really sped by. We are exhausted - no restful vacation for us, just up in the early morning hours, go until dark - or occasionally well after and repeat the process. But “What Fun.” (Miranda fans only) I will be processing many of the 4000 photos I took, doing posts on the six National Parks, taking about the food, the people, the history and culture and the lovely islands for a few weeks so stay tuned. Also I will recap the sad true tale of a Moose who fell in with a rogue band of Hula Girls on vespas and, well, it is a short trip to the depths of a jail cell.

The close of a fabulous time in Hawaii sailing on the horizon into the setting sun. Except we flew:)

Ginger! /  by Dave Hileman

I have a very poor sense of smell. Lots of things just have a faint or even non-existant odor and that lack of smell is related to how much you enjoy lots of foods. It has been speculated by people that choose to speculate on such things, that my dislike of cheese is related to the fact it has little aroma to me. They jump right past the awful taste:} Anyway, one spice I have always liked is ginger. In nearly any form: candy, mints, cookies, cakes, drinks, Thai food and more. A couple of days ago we were hiking a trail in the rain forest and came across a large grove or bunch or whatever, of wild ginger. It was a delightful smell and I began to appreciate why people’s memories of certain smells are so evocative. It was just brilliant. I would love to live in a grove of ginger. Plus it has a gorgeous flower.

Waimoku Falls /  by Dave Hileman

The Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park is past Hana on the famous “Road to.” It is the coastal portion of the more famous volcano crater that is 10,000+ feet above you as you hike this area. We left a little late in the day so it was a bit dark in the forest on our return but nothing too difficult. We met a nice couple from NC - he is a very good photographer (RRNphotograhy.com) and they own an Oliver Trailer! So the walk back with them included interesting conversations about travel and trailers and photos. The falls were spectacular reaching a height of more than 400 feet. Impressive indeed. We were not permitted to go to the pool at the base so had to be content with almost. I loved the wild orchids growing along the trail close to the falls. And the stately grove of light colored trees to the left of the falls were also very neat. Great hike of about 2.3 miles each way with an elevation gain of 800+ feet.

Sun-kissed /  by Dave Hileman

The clouds that fill the Haleakala Crater evaporate quickly after the sun rises but for those few moments, especially the first rays of sunlight on the clouds it is magical.

Waxing Moon /  by Dave Hileman

At 5:14 this Saturday morning we were already perched on the edge of Haleakala Crater at Haleakala National Park. We arrived at 3:12 AM after an almost two hour drive from our room on the coast. (Yeah not much sleep!) Not too far but very slow travel if you stick to the speed limit (and I was really close:). We were all alone on the mountain for a bit before others arrived. Most came after five thirty and missed this experience with the moon rising just above the cloud layer. I have not seen anything quite like this before with a whole moon visible while ordinarily it would be a mere sliver. Mesmerizing.

Enchanting /  by Dave Hileman

The flora at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the east side of the Big Island north of Hilo was a visual feast. Tall palms, a cascading stream, ocean overlooks, flowers everywhere all sizes and colors and several quiet spaces to sit and just inhale the atmosphere. Nice way to spend a couple of hours and it was right down the road from the What’s Shaki’n where they grow on property most of the fruit in their smoothes. Super good.

Green Sea Turtle /  by Dave Hileman

I almost walked into this fellow which would have been a serious faux pas because you are not supposed to get closer than about 20 feet from a sea turtle. I just arrived at the beach, it was so pretty and there were small fish jumping and a Black-crowned Night Heron fishing on a rock 10 feet from shore. So I was taking photos and moving left to get a better frame when about 4 feet from said turtle I stopped and looked to my immediate left and there he was. So I backed off a few feet and shot several photos of him and the beach. There were also 4 in the water. Going back early Friday morning before our flight to Maui.

Eruption at Sunset /  by Dave Hileman

This is the Kilauea Volcano erupting at sunset about 6:50 on September 20. We spent the entire day at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park -park number 322- leaving our garage apartment (in a coffee plantation) at 5:45am we arrived back at 9:40pm. We did several hikes and started with those on the plain next to the Pacific because you walk on lava fields and it is very hot and dry. So we finished those about 10:30 and worked our way back the 19 mile drive to the top of the caldera. I will do a full report on the parks but we have been going before sunrise and getting back late, I’m just exhausted every night. However the sights at HVNP were just amazing. We did not see eruptions of great height or lava rivers but it was still neat to peer into an active volcano and watch the lava bubble and change intensity. It was a great cap on a day of wondrous sights, sounds and even smells.

Royal /  by Dave Hileman

This is the only royal palace in the US. It was the seat of the Kingdom of Hawaii for several years. This is also the site of the statehood ceremony held on the grounds to the left of the palace in 1959. My Aunt Carrie attended that day along with two of her friends. I still have the program, first day stamp and one or two other things from that day. It was cool to see it.

And more of the turtles... /  by Dave Hileman

Sunday was a moving day. We did one last walk on the beach in Waikiki - and one more Kai Coffee, took the shuttle to the airport, flew on Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii, the Big island. Arrived about 1:00, neat airport with the rolling stairways as you exit on the tarmac. The airport has a few open air buildings. Shuttled a short distance to our rental car and after a stop for some food and groceries arrived at our super cool apartment over a garage on the top of the hill with a nice view. All we then did was unpack, finish shopping locally and planned the next four days. Off this morning to two or three National Park units.