A race for Owen

About a year and a half ago Owen Cenal died of a heart attack while paddling with his team in a canoe race from the island of Moloka'i to O'ahu, a race that takes over 5 hours to complete. Mahalo nui to the Beach Boys for hosting this event in memory of a talented paddler, canoe paddle maker, coach, and a friend to many.
http://starbulletin.com/2005/10/10/sports/story05.html

Ban GMO Taro...

The legal battle continues for the rights of Hawaiians to preserve their ancestral genes. State law makers today decided to postpone any ruling on a ban on GMO Taro production. For Hawaiians, this was a huge setback for the preservation of the Hawaiian Blood line - the root of all Hawaiians. Almost a year ago, I took this photo on the lawns of the University of Hawai'i, an alter that was built to pay homage to the ancestors that came before them and Kalo (Taro) the birth mother of all Hawaiians....
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Mar/30/br/br7068425913.html

The University of Hawai'i is involved in research to genetically modify the Hawaiian Taro. The Hawaiians oppose any alteration of the Taro, a symbol of their ancestor and lifeline. To get a close-up of the sculpture above, [ press here ]. In order to understand and appreciate why Hawaiians wish to keep the Taro genes pure, one needs to understand their history:

Before there were humans, there were Gods, Wakea, Father Heaven, and Papa, Earth Mother. They bore many children, one of which was Ho`ohoku. In time, Ho`ohoku gave birth to her first born, Haloa-naka. Born prematurely, the limbless deformed infant, Haloa-naka, was in the shape of a bulb. Wakea buried the body at the east corner of his house and Ho`ohoku tended to the burial site until one day it grew into a taro plant. The couple’s second-born child, also named Haloa, was a healthy boy who would become the ancestor of the Hawaiian people. Haloa was to respect and look after his older brother for all eternity. The elder Haloa, Haloa-naka, the root of life, would always sustain and nourish his young brother and his descendants. The strong bond between Hawaiians and the Taro plant can be seen in the Hawaiian word for family - 'Ohana. 'ohana is derived from the word 'oha, the shoot that grows from the taro corm. As the young shoots grow from the ground, people grow from the family.

Roots

I took this photo on our monday hike and was simply impressed by its sheer size and shape - you really had to be there to appreciate it - oh well here it is.

On a completely different tangent, check this video from YouTube if you have the time - I thought this was completely amazing - supposely, only 3 out of some 2000 athletes from around the world have successfully completed this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkBkZpK-fYQ
If for nothing else then perhaps an inspiration for putting on those workout shoes =P

Koko Rainbow

This brilliant rainbow of colors radiated at just the right time as we approached the top of the trail - my friend attempted to photograph it with a cellphone but it did not compare with this photo that Ruth graciously provided from her camera.

As for the previous hillside photo, I used a cloning technique to duplicate a house in the middle of the pic and cloned it to the bottom right side of the picture - its so subtle, you will probably not notice the cloned houses!

HIllside

Theres nothing remarkable about this picture but I did do something to the image - can you see the "photoshop" modification? If you can, you're very observant!!! =)
I took this photo from a friends Lanai (balcony) at St. Louis Heights.

Aloha!

Manoa Falls

This afternoon's trail journey took us to Manoa Falls - Go to http://hawaiivideos.blogspot.com/ to see and hear the sounds from this excursion!

What to post

I am quite busy this week, so I'm having to use a photo I took three weeks ago - hope you will enjoy this nonetheless - have a wonderful day! =)

Oh, btw, I thought this was a great story to share:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17748997/
Its about a japanese millionaire who purchased a bunch of million dollar homes in one of the most expensive neighborhoods on O'ahu and providing them rent free to low income families with a lot of children. With the crazy rental market and housing prices, its nice to know these families are getting a huge opportunity to provide safe and secure shelter for their family rent free!!!

McCully bridge

The McCully Bridge is one of the most heavily used bridges on the island given its the gateway to Waikiki - took this photo on my bike ride back home

Growing algae

I decided to post this picture which is a couple of weeks old because I did not have my camera with me this weekend.

Waterfall Part 2 of 2

Using my Canon S3 LS - I zoomed in to the waterfall located in the Top left area of previous image - Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!! =D

Waterfall Part 1 of 2

If you look closely, you will see a waterfall on the left top area of photo - see it? If not, I'll show you another closer view tomorrow - this pic was not taken on O'ahu but rather on the Island of Kaua'i - 90 miles away and to the north west of O'ahu. I was there a week ago.

Oh my!

Click on the image and you will see what the guys are lookin at!

Swinging in the Clouds

I really enjoy this picture for many reasons - the youthful spirit, the curious nature, the overcast skies, the free spirit of adventure from a childs smile - this photo was taken on Saturday, when it was a bit overcast, but still, kids see thru it all and find ways to enjoy themselves! =D Hope ya'all have a swingin kinda week!

P.s. I forgot to mention - an ingenious person at our get together found a rope, a portion of a fire hose, a chin up bar, and whoalla - we got a swing! =P

Foscarini - Italian touch of style

The above lighting display seems to have a hint of Alexander Calder inspiration - Italian lighting store, Foscarini, was recently opened along Kapi'olani Ave.

Interestingly, another Italian shop called Natuzzi also opened right next door. The interior and exterior of this complex is actually quite exquisite!

Unicorn

"If this horse had a unihorn, it would be a unicorn" - or so my friend joked as we looked at these beautiful animals. As my friend would say, I heart horses! =D
Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! WOOOOT!

Yet another surf shot

Sorry for posting yet another surf shot, but gosh, how can one resist the beauty and power of mother nature! Hope you all have a surfin kinda day!!! =)

Full Moon above the Ala Wai

Colors of Fall

Not quite Fall season but these trees have some really nice color to them

Point and Shoot

I wish it was as easy as simply "point and shoot"! I decided to photograph a photographer in action because i wasnt sure what to photograph =P

Cafe Sistina

One of my fav and voted one of O'ahu's top restaurants, Cafe Sistina's interior walls are adorned with the artistic replication of the Sistine Chapel, all hand drawn by the owner, Sergio Mitrotti. Opened in 1991, it serves Northern Italian cuisine and live entertainment during the weekend and special engagements. You can read more in the link below...

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/bestrestaurants06/restaurant?id=115

Honey Bee

If you know what flower this is - you get a postcard! =)