Sunrise - Kahana Bay

Six paddlers, one canoe, and one ocean.

Anchored off shore in Kahana Bay, the sun begins to rise in the horizon as the start of the second days journey begin for this canoe, as it travels a route around the island of O'ahu in three days.

Lucky 13

From Electrical Post number 13 is a splendid view of the back side of Koko Crater with the Botanical gardens and surrounding community

Mountain Goats

Just when I thought I did not have any photos to show for, look closely enough, and I discovered mountain goats on the cliffs edge as Kate stands on the facing cliff.

Below is the close-up

And below is the image from kate's camera as they scurried down the steep face

Doris Duke Shangri La Estates

Finally, posting my follow-up to the previous post - this is actually the back side of the Doris Duke "Shangri La" Estates. She was a collector of Islamic and South East Asian art. Duke University was named after her father, James Duke. Doris Duke owed numerous properties, this being one of them. She was a philanthropist, and donated much to medical research and child welfare programs. She died in 1993. Today, visitors may tour her estates through the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

An abandoned prison...

well, not quite - I'll show you what this place really is tomorrow! If you think you know what this place is, give it a shout!

Honolulu Triathlon

This past Sunday was the Honolulu Distance Triathlon, a 1500 Meter Swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run, starting at Ala Moana Magic Island - This photo was taken the day before as the lifeguards prepared the swim buoys for the first leg of the triathlon. From the photo, you can see the vog in the air due to the lack of trade winds - Sunday proved to be one of the hottest days for this time of the year in a long time, reaching 90 degrees!

Hiking in Hawaii

One of my two favorite playgrounds - the other being the ocean, the mountains provide spectacular views, a sense of tranquility and complete peace of mind and spirit. These two photos were taken last Sunday along the Ko'olau trek.

Canoe Paddling

This may not seem like an appropriate photo for a city daily photo blog,but if you spend time in the islands, then you too will perhaps understand how the Ocean is very much a part of our culture and lifestyle. Much of our everyday quality of living depends on the land and the ocean - Malama i ka wai - to take care of the waters that feed and nourishes us - mind, body and spirit.

I took this photo tonight during a break in my ocean training run and noticed the rain squall passing up ahead as the sun was setting and canoe paddlers seemingly paddling into the sunset. Malama i ka wai - if you smoke, don't throw your cigarette butts on the ground because it goes down the drain system and back out to the ocean, polluting the ecosystem we so cherish and depend on =)

Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal

One of the United States' most endangered mammal, the population of these beautiful Hawaiian Monk Seals (`Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua) are on a steady decline of about ~10% a year. There is currently about a little over a thousand left, spread throughout the Hawaiian islands as well as the NorthWestern island chains. The first official sighting and documentation of these animals started in the early 1800s and presumably originated from ancestors that date back in time and are the most primitive living members of the Family Phocidae, having separated from other true seals perhaps 15 million years ago. This youngster kept coming by me just begging for a picture, so here you go Ms. or Mr. Monk Seal! Going to a park attraction to see these animals is one thing but to see them out in the wild open ocean like I did here is quite an experience, esp. when it keeps wanting to hangout with me. By law, you are supposed to stay within a certain distance so as not to disturb them so I tried my best to keep away.

Here's a recent Monk Seal story in the news:
http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/06/news/story05.html

Heads Up!

This is one of those photos that I did not realize what I captured until after looking at the full image on my computer screen - two guys, wide eyed and jaw dropped, looking at the sheer size of this wave that just popped up. I am certain te wave is probably much more intimidating from their vantage point, but nonetheless, this was a very impressive display of mother nature.

Another colorful Sunset

Yet another Sunset - I contemplated whether I should post yet another Sunset photo but I just enjoyed the colors too much and could not resist, so here is a Sunset from Sunday evening.