Dance of Tahiti in Waikiki

An image from my video of a Tahitian dance in Waikiki - to view the video, you will need to go to my Hawai'i Videos Blog The video was taken a couple of days ago while walking to work.

Much mahalos to Dana for keeping up with the daily postings.

Always Sunset

The place where it is always Sunset, Sunset Beach on Oahu's North Shore. The sunsets are beautiful, but then it's always beautiful.

Photos by Request - 2

Two photos from this past Sunday's 24 mile women's canoe race from Kailua to Waikiki for Christi and Wendi of Las Vegas DP! Thanks for the request =)
The first photo is outside of Makapu'u - the second photo is outside of Lanikai

Not for the beginner...
Faces of determination...

Beaches and Caves

We had a power outage in my neighborhood lastnight so I did not get to post - so here I am posting very late =(

These two photos were taken during the canoe race yesterday - Sunday - outside of Waimanalo and South East side of the island respectively.

Let me know if any of you have a photo request =)
No promises but will try =)
Have a nice week.
Off to my busy schedule.

Skyward

Looking through the leaves toward heaven ... skyward ... to the great beyond. Maybe sung best by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz ... a place "where blue birds fly" ... "some where over the rainbow" ...

Simplicity

artlessness, candor, chastity, clarity, classicality, clean lines, clearness, directness, ease, easiness, elementariness, guilelessness, homogeneity, ingenuousness, innocence, integrity, modesty, monotony, naivety, naturalness, naïveté, obviousness, openness, plainness, primitiveness, purity, restraint, severity, singleness, straightforwardness, uniformity, unity

Photos by Request - 8 in all!

The following photos are for Mattias of Sweden, Jane of Cebu, Stinkypaw of Canada, and Weez - and I guess anyone else who are visiting here - hope you all enjoy them!

This night photo was taken this past Sunday at "The Wall" in Waikiki (~8PM) looking out to Waikiki Beach and hotels - for Mattias and Jane - using my new Canon S3 IS - 6 MP helps!
The next three photos were also taken this past Sunday at Lanikai for Weez at about 9 AM:

The next photo was also taken this past Sunday towards Rabbit Island for Stinkypaw at about 10 AM - can you see the canoe paddlers and escort boats near the island?:

The next photo was taken for me at Kailua on Sunday as well - before the Dukes race =)

The next two photos were taken today in Hawai'i Kai and Black Point respectively at around 7:00 PM:

Life is a Beach

This photo was taken at Waimea Bay - the "surfboard" you see is actually a "paddleboard" that lifegaurds use for rescues. Its interesting - as often as I have been to the beach in small waves and in large ... I've never actually sean anyone get rescued. Hmmm ... Anyone have any cool rescue stories to share?

Running of the Bulls?...

...not quite, but to see why these men are so eager to take off, check out the video here!

Think you've had a rough day? Watch this video and think again =)

Today's song is dedicated to the men who paddled the Duke's race! - Ka Mamakakaua! Ku'e Ku'e Ku'e - Press Play!

Little Korean

This isn't scenic, but I thought the sign is funny and strange ... It could be taken to mean that the restaurant serves "Little Korean" or a person of Korean origin and of small stature. Korean food is great, but I don't have any interest in eating a Korean. ;-) Hope you all will get a laugh out of this ..

An Oceans View - Diamond Head Lighthouse

This photo was taken yesterday (Friday) at about 5 PM from about a mile outside of Diamond Head Lighthouse. That mountain you see is actually part of Diamond Head Crater.

This is a late post thats been back dated because I've been very busy. I may have some sporatic postings in the next month due to other obligations.

I haven't forgotten about the photo requests:

• Mattias - Night Photo
• Stinkypaw - Rabbit Island
• Weez - Lanikai

Stroll Through the Park

Take a meditative moment to take a stroll though my park. Let you mind and body relax ... Today is a new day fresh with no mistakes in it (or Tomorrow if you’re reading this at night). Take this day to make the world a better place.

I make the world a better place by posting pictures on the web for everyone to see … how about you?

Hula Hands - Pretty Brown Eyes

Today's song was written by Iva Kinimaka - He Aloha Mele - a classic hawaiian piece - Ukulele and all that is almost as old and popular as Don Ho's Tiny Bubbles - press Play - I sure hope you like this one because this song was difficult to get - a real hawaiian treat for all of you beautiful people!:
This photo was taken in good 'ol Waikiki.

As for hula, there are two styles - contemporary (Hula 'Auana) and traditional (Hula Kahiko) - most of you are probably more familiar with Hula 'Auana, as shown in the picture above. One of the biggest hula competition is held on the Big Island and is called the Merry Monarch Festival - a must see - and plan for because tickets for the competition are usually sold out in advance!


He aloha mele, pretty hoku
Sending down a special little twinkle
For your brown eyes
Your pretty lovely brown eyes
In the still of the night
All the stars are shining bright
For your brown eyes

He aloha mele, e lohe i kamakani
Gentle breeze whispering haunting melodies
To you softly
Whisper to you softly
Hear the winds through the trees
Singing sweet harmony
To you softly

Hui:
With the grace of her hands
She can tell you that a star
Only glitters at the setting of the sunshine
With the grace of her hands
She can tell you that the wind
Only blows when no mountain side
Is there to touch her

Now there's the sun and the moon
Talking stories telling tales
About a new day
It's gonna be a nice day
Now the moon is shining bright
And the sun will rise again
To start a new day

He aloha mele

Just Another Day in Paradise

YOU MUST PRESS PLAY FOR MUSIC:
Not a Hawaiian Song, but it compliments the photo (and it's once of my favorites). What else can I say? (Side note: There is a Hawaiian version of this song by Isreal Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, but I don't have that CD.)

I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
Theyll learn much more.....than Ill never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

(instrumental break)

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin...*spoken*(I ....love....you).

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
*spoken*(you know their gonna learn
A whole lot more than Ill never know)
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful world.

Summer is for lovers

I decided to put a hawaiian song today since it is HonoluluDP after all - so I hope this song will get you into the mood - press PLAY!!!:

Today's post is more about other people's post because love is for sharing and these people captured a moment in time that will be forever cherished by the subjects of the respective photos:

• Eric - Paris Daily
• Carissa - Pacific North West
• Shelly - Indianapolis
• Nowhere man - Lisbon
• Lisbon Daily
• Midnitebara's Akita Daily

Mele...
E aloha ae ana nö au
I ka makani kaulana o ka `äina
A`u e ho`oheno nei
Ka makani kä`ili aloha

Hui:
Ku`u pua, ku`u lei, ku`u milimili ë
Ku`u lei kau i ka wëkiu
A he milimili `oe a he hiwahiwa na`u
A he lei mau no ku`u kino

I aloha `ia nö ia home
Ia home luakaha a ka malihini
A`u i noho ai a kupa
Ka makani kä`ili aloha
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
I love the
Famous wind of this land
Mine to cherish
The wind named Love-snatcher

Chorus:
My flower, my lei, mine to cherish
My lei that I adore above all others
You are my favorite and precious to me
A lei forever for my body

Beloved is this home
This home so delightful to visitors
Where I stayed many years
With my love that was once snatched by the wind

Reflections

C.S. Lewis ... Part of every misery is, so to speak, the misery's shadow or reflection: the fact that you don't merely suffer but have to keep on thinking about the fact that you suffer. I not only live each endless day in grief, but live each day thinking about living each day in grief.

Confucius said... By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Einstein said ... Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people.

Thomas Paine ... The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

What is a reflection of you?

Come Away With Me...

Come away with me on this lazy afternoon, as we drive to the east side of the island - near Hau'ula and not far from Dana's post of Chinaman's Hat - also known as Mokoli'i (as Stinkypaw pointed out) named because of its resemblance to peasant's chapeau worn by rural Chinese. And to Ame's kids - that realllly is the "common" name of the little volcanic island.

Today's song is Come Away with Me by Norah Jones - press PLAY!!!:

Please welcome my friend Carissa who just started a photo blog of the Pacific NorthWest!

Neorelix of Cambridge DP has a fun mystery game =)

China Man's Hat

China Man's Hat (Mokolii Island) ... Just across the street from Kualoa Ranch in the "country side" ...

Double Scoop of Ice Cream

I decided to give you all a double treat today after seeing Santa Clara - Amy's DP - My apologies to her for not being able to meet up but from the looks of her pictures, it doesn't look like she was too bummed.
The above picture is a photo of Popoi'a (rotted fish) Island, a seabird refuge and named in part because of the large number of fish bones found on the island - a former site of a fishing heiau - a place of worship and offering for the bountiful catches from the ocean. - Do you see the kids playing near the water?
This photo is an image of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel - one of the first hotels built in Waikiki in 1927 and served exclusively as a military retreat during WW II and the official residence for then President Roosevelt during his stay in the islands. The hotel design was influenced by "the great lover," Rudolph Valentino - and with that, I hope you will treat yourself to my video post and song repeat of the day...

Song of the day: Sway - Pussycat Dolls - won't cha dance with me? ;)

Royal Poinciana

The Royal Poinciana, Delonix regia (family Fabaceae), is a tropical or subtropical flowering plant. It is also known by the names Gulmohar, Flamboyant Tree, Peacock Flower, Flame of the Forest, and Flame Tree. (Since this last name is also used for a number of other unrelated trees, its use is not recommended.) (source)

I wish that I could think of a good song to go with this photo, like Kala did yesterday, but I guess I'll just have to leave you today with this short, sweet overly used poem, often sighted by grade schoolers ...

Roses are red. (in our case ... poincianas)
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet,
and so are you!

Silly poems from childhood are great ...

Angel

I happened to come by this house in Manoa as I was walking to the Uni and thought it was quite charming with the winged Cherub near the doorway while playing my iPod listening to "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan - I once read a quote - "music is the hearts praise to the soul." What song(s) do you listen to?

Angel by Sarah McLachlin:
Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance,
for a break that would make it okay.

There's always some reason
to feel not good enough,
and it's hard, at the end of the day.

I need some distraction,
Oh, beautiful release.
Memories seep from my veins.

Let me be empty,
Oh, and weightless,
And maybe I'll find some peace tonight.

CHORUS:
In the arms of the angel,
fly away from here,
from this dark, cold hotel room,
and the endlessness that you feel.

You are pulled from the wreckage,
Of your silent reverie.
You're in the arms of the angel,
may you find some comfort here.

So tired of the straight line,
and everywhere you turn,
there's vultures and thieves at your back.

The storm keeps on twisting.
Keep on building the lies
that you make up for all that you lack.

Don't make no difference,
escape one last time.
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness,
Oh, this glorious sadness,
that brings me to my knees.

You're in the arms of the angel,
may you find some comfort here.

Duke Kahanamoku

Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku is an icon in Hawaii and a hero to most Hawaiians. He is often credited as being the father of modern surfing; he won gold and silver medals in Olympic swimming, and acted as an Hawaii ambassador to the world.

It is interesting to note: "The 'Duke', as Kahanamoku would be called, had been named not for Hawaiian royalty, but after his father who had been christened 'Duke' following the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Hawaii in 1869."^{source plus more info}

Here is a live webcam of this likeness of him.

Just to compliment Dana's beautiful close-up photo above and to give some perspective to this larger than life figure - figuratively and literally speaking, click on the image to the left.

While "looking" for Ame and her family in Waikiki, I happened to stumble upon this beautiful family next to the Duke. Papa He'e Nalu =)

Roselani

This really isn't a Hawaii centric photo, but it is a rose that my husband bought me for my birthday (which was on the 1st).

Here are the meanings of the different colors of roses ...

Red: love
Pink: grace, lesser feelings of love
Dark Pink: gratitude
Light Pink: admiration, sympathy
White: innocence, purity, secrecy, friendship, reverence and humility
Yellow: Yellow roses generally mean dying love or platonic love
Yellow with red tips: Friendship, falling in love
Orange: passion
Burgundy: beauty
Blue: mystery
Green: calm
Black: slavish devotion (as a true black rose is impossible to produce)
Purple: protection (paternal/maternal love)

Also ... roselani is the Hawaiian word for rose.
CORRECTION - Roselani is the Americanization of the Hawaiian word Lokelani both mean rose, but Lokelani is the official Hawaiian word. Thanks to Kala for pointing this out to me since, the Hawaiian alphabet doesn't have an R or an S.

A Blue Kite-Surfer

While running at Kailua beach on this blustery day, I happened to stumbled upon this blue kite descending from the skies and right into my path - fortunately, I happened to have my faithful camera on hand to take this shot! Hope you find this pic cool and refreshing if you are one of those suffering from triple digit temperatures - warm and inviting if you happen to be in your winter months.

danafaye

I would not feel right if I didn't post a photo of myself after taking a trip around the world to see all of the other self portraits on blog spot, and while this is not a "self-portrait" it is a photo of me taken by my husband in one of my favorite places (at a b-b-q at a family members house).

Sorry, my abs aren't as cut as my blog partner *danafaye-winks-at-kala*, but it's nice to meet all of you 'in photo' anyway.

Lights ... Camera ... DP Theme ...

Its been a little humid the last couple of days due to the "Kona" weather, so my favorite place this morning was in the shower! For obvious reasons, you can't go there, so I bring you a post-shower photo. The other option was the ocean, but surf's up so no cameras there =) Hopefully, this photo will not offend anyone. Happy theme day to you all!

If you will kindly also stop by the following Daily Photo sites who also participated in this theme day, it would be well worth it!...

Trier, Germany, Porto, Alexandria, VA, Manila, Twin Cities, Newcastle, Willamette Valley, OR, Greenville, SC, London, Saarbrücken, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Copenhagen, Sydney, Chattanooga, TN, Rotterdam, Paris, Albuquerque, Washington, DC (by Jenni), Sharon, CT, Singapore, Washington, DC (by Passante), Oulu, Seattle, Trondheim, Hyde, Szentes, Akita, Berlin, Bastia, Guadalajara. [ The source code for links to the other sites comes from Sebastian Nebel of Trier Daily Photo ]