Catch Your Breath

A pair of hikers stop to rest on one of the ridge-line trails above Kailua.  I liked the way their coordinating black clothing contrasted with the green landscape around them :)

Winter Hike

The nice thing about doing sunrise hikes in Hawaii during the winter is that sunrise isn't until just after 7am (as opposed to just after 5:00am in the summer)!  Hawaii does not participate in Daylight Savings.  This was taken on a trail above Kailua and Lanikai - you can see one of the WWII pillboxes, with tiny Flat Island and Ulupa'u Head in the distance.  For more sky photos from around the world, please visit Skywatch Friday.

Good Morning Sun

Each morning, I try to wake up before the kids just so I can tiptoe across the cool floor and peer through the vintage sliding-glass doors of our little house.  From there I get to take in the almost always glorious sunrise unfolding right in my backyard.  Every day it's different, and every day it's inspiring.
It's Skywatch Friday, so please click HERE to see other sky images from around the globe. 

View From My Paddleboard: Number Six

Paddle boarding is one of my favorite Sunday afternoon activities - sadly this is one of those Sundays when I was not able to go, so I had to pull this one from the archives :)  And for my friends, don't worry, I'm not as far away from land as it looks like I am!  I am in Kailua Bay so there's also beach to my left.

J: Jump!

The letter J is a challenge.  The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters, and J isn't one of them!  Since there aren't too many J things around here, I had to get creative.  I took this photo of my dear friends Jumping for Joy at Kailua Beach (look how high her daughter is!).  I love Kailua - it is my home.  I love Kailua Beach.  As I walk up the hill that is just big enough to obscure the turquoise bay that lies in front of me, the mere anticipation makes me want to jump for joy too :)
For other 'J' photos please visit ABC Wednesday.

Looking South

Yesterday's photo was taken on Kailua Beach, looking to the north.  Today I thought I'd post a view of what you see if you look in the opposite direction as you are sitting in the sand.  North or south, the views can't be beat!

A Dog's Life

I saw this cute little dog, Olivia, at our local beach today.  Several times she walked to the edge of the water and sat down to watch the waves, with the wind in her face.  Her owner said she also loves to chase crabs!  It's Camera Critter Saturday, so check out some cool photos HERE.

Goat's Foot?

Beach Morning Glory- also called Goat's Foot - grows in the sand at Lanikai and Kailua beaches.  I wonder how it got it's nickname "Goat's Foot" - anyone know?

U: Ulu-pa'u Head

Ulu-Pa'u Head is actually a peninsula that is barely connected to the rest of Oahu - it is also home to Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base.  This is the view from Kailua Beach, looking out across the bay.   It's ABC Wednesday, and to see more 'U' photos you can click HERE.

Tiny Beach Blossoms

These little beauties grow right next to the beach in Kailua and Lanikai - if you look closely you can see the grains of sand on the green leaves here. 

Lazy Sunday

These two bicycles were parked on one of the beach access paths here in Kailua.  I noticed two things about them as I walked by:  the rusty bike chains, pedals, etc. (everything rusts SO quickly in Hawaii!) and the slippers that were hanging on one of the handle bars.

Monkeypod

One of the beautiful old Monkeypod trees in Kailua that offers respite from the sun beneath it's huge canopy.

Hamakua Marsh

I took this yesterday while I was waiting for my car's oil change - the marsh is located directly behind a busy street on the perimeter of Kailua, but in spite of its location it is a sanctuary for many species of birds. 

A Cup of Tea

Spent a recent Saturday morning here at a "A Cup of Tea" in Kailua.  It's a cute little Victorian-styled tea house complete with vintage hats for customers to wear if they want.

Kainui Drive

Kainui Drive here in Kailua is nicknamed Duck Road - take a leisurely drive down it and you'll see why.  I liked the way this mother duck (who was surrounded by her brood of over 15 ducklings!) kept her eye on me the entire time.  She made sure I didn't get too close.

Retired for the Day

One of the canoes that sits on the shore of Kailua Beach.  In the background you can see Ulu-pa'u Head, home to Kaneohe Marine Corps Base.  This area is just barely connected to the rest of Oahu by a nearly flooded plain. 

Kailua Kitesurfing

My idea of a perfect day at the beach does not include wearing long sleeves to guard against the chill of the tradewinds - I prefer to go at a time when I can sit and soak up the warmth of the afternoon sun without worrying about sand blowing in my eyes.  However, the reward for taking a walk on Kailua Beach when the winds are up is that you get to watch many kitesurfers and windsurfers launch right in front of you.  Kailua's tradewinds make it a coveted spot for people who enjoy both of those sports.  This guy looks up at his kite just before jumping on his board and taking off!

Superheroes Take Kailua Beach

Snapped this at a superhero-themed beach park birthday party, where all the kids got to decorate their own cape.  I like the way they are looking out onto the horizon :)

Pali Lookout

From here, you get a sweeping view of the Ko'olau Mountain Range, with the town of Kailua below.

Canoe Club

A little girl watches local the local high school canoe club practice after school at Kailua Beach Park.