Headed out on Mother's Day Weekend for a little holoholo with Sommer and Hōkūle`a. Stopped by Kualoa Beach Park and took some pictures of Mokoli`i.

 

Rest of the album here.

April 26, 2014 Ho`omana`o `Ana o Ke Kaua Lelea`anae (Commemoration of the Battle of Nu`uanu)

In 1795 Kamehameha battled with Kalanikūpule for control of O`ahu.  The battle for O`ahu culminated in Nu`uanu Valley and what is today called the Pali Lookout.

I woke up at 3:30 am and drove up to the Nu`uanu Pali Lookout for Ho`omana`o `Ana o Ke Kaua Lelea`anae,the Commemoration of the Battle of Nu`uanu.  I had only recently realized that the Nu`uanu Pali Lookout opens at 4:00 am.  I arrived just before 4 am.  It was dark, empty, wet, and very windy.

By around 5:00 am the parking lot was packed.  The procession of a few dozen people made it's way from the parking lot to the lookout.

There were oli, hula, and ho`okupu.  Sam Ka'ai also offered a brief history of the Battle of Nu`uanu.

Following the Commemoration, some of the organizers, Nā Papa Kānaka o Pu`ukoholā , paused to have their picture taken.

Offerings were made.

It was a windy and rainy morning.  I felt for the young men who endured the cold in only their malo.

The Pali looked majestic bathed in clouds (looking towards Lanihuli).

After most of the participants had dissipated I stayed to watch the sunrise.

Rest of the pics here:

April 4 & 5, 2014 Halema`uma`u Crater

My brother Robert bought a house in Kea`au so my brother, Kai, my father, Scott, and I headed up to the Big Island to help out around his property the first weekend in April.  We didn't do much sight seeing, but being so close to Volcano National Park I was able to check out Halema`uma`u Crater a couple of nights.  Really love this place.

Rest of the pics here:

 

March 1, 2014 Honolulu Sunrise Time Lapse

February 22, 2014 Koko Crater Sunrise Time Lapse

More pictures here:  http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTbFRV7

Sommer Crossing Palikea Stream...

Returning from Waimoku Falls.  Sommer makes a stream crossing.

August 3, 2013 Pai`olu`olu Point Rock Bridge (Koko Head)

Finally got out to the Rock Bridge at Pai`olu`olu, the Southern/Western point on the rim of Hanauma Bay. The hike up Kuamoʻokāne (Koko Head) and out to Pai`olu`olu is short but HOT! There is NO shade along the trail. Today was a great day to be out hiking, but the sun was blazing! We definitely did not take enough water on this hike.

While making our way down to the twin craters of Nonoʻula and ʻIhiʻihilauākea there were random bunches of rose petals along the trail. Soon we saw what those were about. Shelby's boyfriend was going to propose!

Just as we passed ʻIhiʻihilauākea crater we ran into Shelby and her boyfriend, now fiancée, making their way back up Kuamoʻokāne.  Of course Sommer made me get a picture of Shelby's ring. Congratulations!

We made our way down the dry slippery sandstone at Pai`olu`olu point.

Across the bay was Palea point, the Norther/Eastern point of Hanauma Bay, and the forbidden Toilet Bowl.

Just west of Pai`olu`olu point is the Rock Bridge.

I don't know how people stand on this thing! It's terrifying! If you fall in or the bridge collapses, you're done for!

We took some family pictures, then headed back up Koko Head and back to air conditioning in the car! It was so hot on the way back and we were severely lacking in water. Thankfully the trail is short and the air conditioning (and water in the car) was cold!

Rest of the pictures here.  Write up of my last trip up and around Koko Head.