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.

Lanikai Dogs

I took an early morning walk along Lanikai Beach, and as usual there were plenty of dogs out for some playtime with their owners.  I just couldn't choose between these two, so I had to post a photo of each of them.  The top one is the very playful one year old Lani, who was a full-speed-ahead-bundle-of-energy!  The bottom photo is the sweet almost 11 year old Gabby. 

p.s. Parents of Lani and Gabby, if you'd like the other photos I took of your dogs please email me lisa_lim03@hotmail.com and I'll be happy to share them with you :)

Skywatch

A glowing sunset over the marina in Waikiki.  For more sky photos from around the world, check out Skywatch Friday HERE.

Q: Queen's Beach

Queen's Beach and adjacent Kuhio Beach are located on the eastern end of Waikiki. This area really is like a giant swimming pool due to the concrete seawalls in the water. It's calm, clear, and shallow - the perfect place for kids to play! For more 'Q' photos, visit ABC Wednesday HERE.

Welcome Home!

Our friend returned from his overseas deployment today, and as is the custom in Hawaii, he was greeted at the airport by friends with leis made from flowers, candy, and yes, miniature bottles of liquor! With more than 32,000 active duty members plus their families stationed here, the military presence here on Oahu is undeniable. It is also not without controversy, but this is a photo blog, so I will leave those debates to the political blogs :) Welcome home friend!

Monkeypod

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

Great Food, Even Better Views

The atrium at the Ko'Olau Golf Club, where my husband treated me to an early Mother's Day brunch :) Happy Mother's Day to all of the hard-working moms out there!

Auku'u

The Black-Crowned Night Heron is called an Auku'u in the Hawaiian language, and is found on all of the Hawaiian Islands.  Yesterday I posted a photo of the Hamakua Marsh, which is where I spotted this heron.  It's Skywatch Friday, and you can click HERE to see sky images from around the world.

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. 

P: Pineapple Ice Cream

Made here at the Dole Plantation, it's the perfect treat on a hot, sunny day!  For more 'P' photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

Ehukai

This was taken at dusk at Ehukai Beach Park on the North Shore.  I love that that there was no one around - as soon as the sun sank beneath the horizon, everyone scattered.

Vintage Charm

An old tin sign randomly nailed to the side of a building in Haleiwa. 

Casting

A young man stands at the edge of Kaneohe Bay, contemplating where to cast his net.

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.

Skywatch Friday

This cargo ship in Waikiki appeared to be hauling in the sun.  It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see sky images from around the world.

Doesn't This Look Like Fun?

Swimming at the waterfall, Waimea Valley Audubon Center.

O: Outrigger Canoe

Outrigger canoes can be seen all over the island, but I like this one (which I have seen both in Honolulu and Lanikai) because it has been "upgraded" - it even has a motor attached to the back!  It's ABC Wednesday, and you can see other 'O' photos by clicking HERE.

Yokohamo Bay

If you're driving up Farrington Highway on the leeward (west) side of the island, this is as far as you can go in your car.  You can get out and walk north to Kaena Point though.  This beach, and the others nearby, take awhile to get to from Honolulu or the Windward side, so there aren't nearly as many people there.

My Hula Girl

I had to share a couple of photos of my daughter today - these were taken at a hula performance by the Hanohano No Akua Ka Hulahula group this past weekend.  I was very proud of her!

Happy Easter!

The Day's Last Rays

Another beautiful, peaceful North Shore sunset. It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see sky images from around the world.

Koi

One of the many Koi fish in the pond at Byodo-In Temple.  There are very accustomed to being fed by visitors, and there are so many that the little turtles there actually climb onto the backs of the koi that swarm around looking for food.

N: North Shore in My Rearview Mirror

This was taken where the road ends on the North Shore.  From here, if you want to go any farther (say Ka'ena Point Reserve) you have to get out and walk.  For more 'N' photos, check out ABC Wednesday HERE.

It's All Black & White

I love the contrast created by the pieces of white coral (which have been bleached by the sun) nestled among the black lava rocks at Kaneohe Bay.

Come Sail Away...

I like the way the wave has obscured the boat, so all you can see are the sail and the passengers.

Baby Bananas

These apple bananas, or "baby bananas" as my daughter calls them, grow right in my own backyard - they taste so sweet!

Piko

Thought it was too cute watching this little guy searching for his belly button :)

Blue Paradise

Wow, not a single cloud in sight!  It's Skywatch Friday, and you can see other sky images from around the globe by clicking HERE.

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.

M: Makapu'u Lighthouse

To see the lighthouse, located on the easternmost point of the island, you have to walk about 1 1/4 miles up a paved trail. The elevation here is 520 feet, so you get sweeping views of the Pacific. It's ABC Wednesday, so click HERE to see other 'M' photos.

Macro Monday

One of the many tiny lizards that suns itself the lava rock wall in my yard.  For great macro and close-up photos, visit this SITE.

View From My Paddleboard - Number Five

I was lucky enough to spot a green sea turtle on this day, but not fast enough to get a photo of it!

Surfer

This was taken on the North Shore, at the Banzai Pipeline.  It's nice to watch surfing here because the waves break about 100 yards offshore, so you can actually see the surfers.

Lanikai Dawn

Watching the sun rise over the ocean is like being given another chance.  For more sky photos from around the globe, visit Skywatch Friday.

He Never Knew What Hit Him...

An unsuspecting pinata sways in a gentle breeze at Bellows Beach Park, about five seconds before being pummeled by a group of kids at a birthday party :)

L: La'ie Point

From La'ie Point you can see several small offshore islands.  This one has an arch in the middle of it that was created in 1946 by a tsunami.  It's ABC Wednesday, so click HERE to see more 'L' photos.

Mokulua Nui

This is one of the Mokuluas, also called the "twin islands" or "Mokes".  They are located about a mile off the shore of the windward coast.  Both islands are protected seabird sanctuaries; however you are allowed to land your kayak at the beach there during the day.  For more info on the Mokuluas, click HERE.

Hanging Hibiscus

I saw these orange hanging hibiscus at Waimea Valley Audubon Center, and thought they were gorgeous.  For some great close-up shots, visit Macro Monday HERE.

View From My Paddleboard - Number Four

This was taken with my waterproof point-and-shoot camera while I was paddleboarding at Kailua Beach today. The water was a little choppy, but it was a really warm afternoon and there were lots of other paddlers and kayakers out enjoying the weather.

Kayak Stack

Saw these kayaks down at Waikiki Beach, just waiting to give vacationers a peek at Honolulu from its best angle - offshore. 

Sunset Sail

Waikiki Beach just after the sun slipped below the horizon.  It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see sky images from around the world.

In Full Bloom

Last week I posted a photo of a bunch of pink plumeria buds that were ready to open.  This week the plumeria trees are in full bloom all over my neighborhood - I love these beautiful yellow and white ones!

K: Kalanianaole Highway Drive

When I need to go to Costco, I take the scenic route - Kalanianaole Highway - from Kailua to Hawaii Kai. The views are stunning, so it's worth the extra time it takes to drive to this one. You can see the road snaking around Sea Life Park in the middle of the photo. It's ABC Wednesday, so click HERE to see more 'K' photos.

Kocher the One-Eyed Wonder Dog

This is my little guy - I couldn't resist posting a photo of him.   He loves to explore the tide pools at Ft. Hase Beach, where this was taken.  Another very dog-friendly place is Kailua Beach Park.  There you can see all kinds of dogs running up and down the beach with their owners in the early morning and late afternoon. 

Juxtaposed Beauty

When I am at the beach, I see just as much beauty on the ground and the sky as I do in the turquoise waters. It's where jagged rock formations and velveteen sand meet, and I like the contrast. This shot was taken at Three Tables up on the North Shore.

Good Catch

A heron clutches a thrashing minnow in its beak.

Bellows with Billowing Clouds

I've posted photos of Bellows Beach before.  Here's another view, with the gorgeous Ko'Olau Mountain Range as a backdrop.  I never get tired of looking at it (I hope you don't either!).

Up in the Air

Kailua Beach is world-renowned for its ideal kite surfing conditions. Today was a particularly windy day on the windward side, and there were plenty of people out there taking advantage of it. I snapped this photo after the kite surfer lifted off - he probably got at least 30 feet above the water before he came back down. It's Skywatch Friday, so click HERE to see other sky images from around the world.