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Sunsets in Paradise

Waikiki Sunset 01

One of the most popular spots on Oahu is Waikiki, and that’s especially true of the beach at sunset. Thousands of tourists and locals crowd in for a variety of reasons. Some are there to sunbathe or swim. Others are there to surf or paddle-board. Some come for a sunset sail or cruise. Many more are there just to enjoy the sights and colors of the setting sun. The clouds and weather combine to make each sunset a unique experience.
During my last trip to Hawaii, we spent 3 nights in Waikiki and were always on the beach when the sun was ready to dip below the horizon. The colors were impressive and on this series of images I wanted to …

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“Pic of the Week”, July 10, 2020: Kahana Beach Park, Oahu

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Situated on the windward east coast of Oahu is this lovely beach — the kind one imagines when thinking of relaxing on Hawaii.
This is Kahana Bay Beach Park.  It has a beautiful beach surrounded on three sides by the steep, lush green Ko’olau Mountains.  The bay’s waters are generally calm but few people swim here because the water is murky from the runoff of Kahana Stream.
Local residents like to camp here during weekends.  It’s a good place to have a BBQ and enjoy the beach and lovely island scenery.  We just stopped by in the late afternoon to stretch our legs and enjoy the views.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrows to advance slideshow)


 

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Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu

Waikiki and Honolulu viewed from Diamond Head

Framing the skyscrapers of Honolulu, the outline of Diamond Head is a readily identifiable landmark, recognized as a U.S. National Natural Monument in 1968.  It’s a volcanic tuft cone know to the locals as Le’ahi; the name “Diamond Head” was bestowed by 19th century British sailors who thought the calcite crystals on the adjoining beach were diamonds.  

Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater.  An average of 3,000 people visit the crater every day, making it one of the most visited sites in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions and on all of the islands you’ll find cones, vents, and eruption flows within the lava rock.  These are all …

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Black Sand and Green Turtles

‘u Black Sand Beach (5)

I love visiting the Big Island, my favorite of the Hawaiian Islands.  I think the main reasons are because of its active volcanoes and large stretches of undeveloped land.  The volcanoes especially fascinate me and draw me to see them again and again.  It’s because of its volcanoes that Big Island has so many black sand beaches — black sand is only formed by the breakdown of lava rock, often when hot lava encounters the ocean, solidifies, then shatters in the powerful surf.  White sand generally is due to the breakdown of shells, corals, and other organic matter. 

An excellent example of a black sand beach is Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Park, located on the southeastern Kau coast.  Since black sand …

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Never Forget! A visit to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

01 Pearl-harbor

Pearl Harbor is on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, not far from Honolulu, and is still a functioning naval base.  But it will always be best known as the site of the Japanese attack on the USA that drew the United States into World War II.

One of the most famous American political speeches of the twentieth century was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s address to Congress shortly after the attack.  Here are some of his words:

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.  The United States was at peace with that nation and, at

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“Pic of the Week”, April 14, 2017: King Kamehameha and Iolani Palace, Honolulu

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One of the few highlights of old Hawaii still remaining in Honolulu is Iolani Palace.  The palace was built in the 19th century as the royal residence of the rulers of Hawaii, beginning with King Kamehameha, ending with Queen Lili’uokalani (1893).  The building is known for its Hawaiian renaissance architecture and a quality statue of King Kamehameha which sits by the road in front of the Palace.  The site is now open to the public as a museum.

Of interest, it is the only royal palace in the United States.

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, then right arrow to advance the slideshow)

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“Pic of the Week”, March 31, 2017: Surfing Oahu’s North Shore

Hawaii 3-2008 563

One of the best places to surf in the world is Oahu, especially along it’s North Shore.  The water here is normally rough, with waves of 2 meters being common.  But on rare occasions, when the weather and currents are just right, gigantic waves can form sometimes exceeding 6 – 7 meters tall.  It takes a special breed to face those dangerous giants, but daredevil surfers come from around the world to ride them.

Lots of Hawaiians like to tackle the normal gentler waves of the area, as it was when we’ve visited.  But one day I hope to see those giants…

 

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“Pic of the Week”, March 18, 2017: Old Sugar Mill, Koloa, Kauai

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The history of Hawaii’s development over the past two centuries largely centered around agriculture, especially of sugar cane and pineapple.  Sadly, these crops are not produced much in Hawaii any more (with the exception of sugar cane on Maui and pineapples for local consumption).  But the legacy of the old sugar towns lingers and you can see remnants of them when you travel around the islands, like this abandoned sugar mill in Koloa (near the south shore of Kauai).

Karl on | Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”, March 18, 2017: Old Sugar Mill, Koloa, Kauai