This picture of Mauna Kea was taken from Liliʻuokalani Park in Hilo. Mauna Kea is the highest peak in Hawaiʻi and considered a sacred site to Hawaiians. It is also home to several endangered species, including the threatened wēkiu and the critically endangered palila.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Happy Place.” As you’re very well aware, I love flying. Going somewhere I’ve never been or taking a quick jaunt to Honolulu for a meeting means getting on a plane and breaking my routine. Most times, I need to fly from Hilo to Honolulu to transfer to planes going anywhere, so when I do, I try to find a window seat on the left side of the plane. As the plane travels along the coast of Hawai’i island, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa bid me farewell and wish me luck as I leave home on a new adventure. On my way home, I find a seat on window seat on the right side of the plane and without fail, they are the first to greet me. They’re a welcome sight, particularly after long flights and layovers and when they first come into view, I can exhale because I’ll finally be home in 10-15 minutes.
It was a day full of promise and wonder. The results of recent winter cold front: rolling green hills, snow capped mountain and cool, crisp temperature. Perched on the hillside of Kohala Mountain, 3,200 feet above sea level, you can see quite an expanse of open country. And then there are the spectacular sunsets. There is no denying the majestic beauty of the great sun star, setting only to rise again.
I have seen all but one statue of Kamehameha. The statue in Kapaʻau, Kohala, Hawaiʻi is the most humble, yet most meaningful to me of the collection, since it is situated in Kohala, his birthplace. Kamehameha represents, for some people, ancient Hawaiʻi. The literal translation of his name is “the lonely one” and he is credited to unifying the Hawaiian Islands under one rule, a feat documented as never before attempted or accomplished by a chief prior to him. Kamehameha’s name is synonymous with strength, intelligence, and ambition and he continues to serve as an icon of the Hawaiian spirit. His pose in all of the statues that exist today are the same. He is a strapping man, donning a helmet and cloaked in a yellow cape, while holding a spear. The items represent his status as both a chiefly ruler and an accomplished warrior. Kamehameha was well-versed in ancient traditions and upheld kapu even after unification, yet he was well aware of external influence and the impending onslaught of foreign interests, so he adapted to function in both …
“Mauna Kea at Sunrise” was snapped from atop Mauna Loa, during a trek to Mokuʻāweoweo. To the right of the photo, where the sun is casting its rosy morning glow, is Hilo. The sun rises here at the easternmost point of Hawaiʻi, at Kumukahi. At this moment in time, the east is already bright, while Kona and the rest of the archipelago, to the west, are enjoying the last few moments of darkness. This entry is in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Horizon | http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/weekly-photo-challenge-horizon/ . Check out other entries or even better, get in on the challenge yourself!
With Halloween only eight days away, I’ve been indulging in paranormal and supernatural movies and television shows. I have allowed myself to be seduced by highly imaginative plots involving wandering zombies, bloodthirsty vampires, vengeful ghosts and unsuspecting “humans” with supernatural gifts. Call me crazy, but I’ve come to enjoy the thrill of a well-executed Hollywood spook. That, however, should not imply that I enjoy being frightened – just entertained. As a Filipina, I am no stranger to superstitious beliefs. That’s par for the course growing up in a rich culture that embraces the beliefs and practices of the old, despite having a very religious Roman Catholic identity. My grandparents would often warn my sister and I never to wander off into the boonies for fear of being cursed by a dwende (dwarf) with sickness or snatched and eaten by an aswang (vampire-like ghoul). Their intention, of course, was to instill fear, discourage misbehavior and prevent us from exploring areas we had no business being in. It was a great tactic that worked like a charm; …
“Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Hilary Cooper Enjoying my morning walk on Mana Road as the sun rises in the east revealing the majesty of Mauna Kea. In silence I reflected on the days beautiful lessons and allowed the warmth of the setting sun to embrace the soul. ~ Old Kona Airport I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day. ~ Kings’ Lake, Waikoloa Beach Resort
Holoholo Girls 