Pig, Pacific Island Style

I sure hope I don't offend anyone with this photo (ie. my vegetarian friends) but I couldn't resist stopping and asking for a pic when I saw these guys roasting a pig on a spit at Makapu'u Beach!  They had set up camp for the day, and even had a generator to power the spit so that it rotated continuously.  I have to admit that I love the skin after it's cooked like this, and gets very crispy and crunchy :)

Sea Turtle Season

During the summer, it is very easy to spot green sea turtles who come ashore to feed on the algae that grows abundantly.  Best bets for sighting one are Laniakea Beach (appropriately nicknamed Turtle Beach) and Papailoa Beach, both on the North Shore. 

Double Rainbows

I woke up this morning and looked outside, a little dismayed that it was rainy.  However, the sight of this double rainbow in my front yard put a smile on my face (and my daughter's too!).  You have to look closely to see the second, more faint one above the brightly colored one. 

W: Waves!

I took this back in January when the waves on the North Shore made for terrific surf-watching.  For more 'W' photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

Inviting Blues

Wouldn't you love to skim across this turquoise bay in a boat? I sure would (and then I'd dive in for a swim!).

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

After watching this young fisherman at the Makapu'u tidepools bring in several varieties of fish, I had to ask him if I could take a photo! The fish on his line is a Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, or "humuhumu" for short. Interesting tidbits about the humuhumu: it has enjoyed an on-again off-again status as the state fish of Hawaii, it has two spines, and BLUE teeth!
p.s. Young fisherman, if you'd like the other photos I took of you, please email me at lisa_lim03@hotmail.com and I'll be glad to send them to you.

Sunset Beach Glory

After witnessing dusk arrive in all its brilliance here, it's easy to see why this strip of sand was named Sunset Beach.  For other sky images from around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

What Summer Time in Hawaii Looks Like

Just south of Kaiona Beach Park is a little hidden gem of a beach, with a rock wall enclosure that is visible only at low tide.  It's a perfect water playground for young kids!  The wall is what remains of a Pahonu Pond, which was used to keep sea turtles for a certain ancient Hawaiian chief who wanted to have fresh turtle meat on hand at all times.  Another interesting tidbit:  it is also located in front of the "Robin Master's" Estate, where the TV series Magnum P.I. was filmed :)

V: Volcano

I cheated a little tonight, because this photo was not taken on Oahu but on the neighboring Big Island.  I was able to see the Kilauea Volcano during an air tour of the island.  It has been continuously erupting since 1983!  It's ABC Wednesday, so you can click HERE to see other 'V' photos.

Whoa!

After galloping around the field several times, my friend's horse Veteran comes to a screeching halt.  Like the way he stirred up all the red dust.  This was taken at one of the stables in Waimanalo, and I love the views of the Ko'Olau Mountain Range from here.

Dinner

This Black-Crowned Night Heron actually flew right in front of me, swooped down into the canal and grabbed a fish from the water, but I couldn't get my camera out in time to capture him in action.  He landed on the bank of the canal and proceeded to swallow this rather large fish whole!

Beauty on the Ground

"There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice." -John Calvin (1509-1564)

Honolulu Skyline

View from Magic Island at dusk - this was taken during the Memorial Day Floating Lantern Ceremony.  For more sky images from around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

Taking a Break

After a lot of running and playing in the waves, these little girls plopped down on the sand to rest for a few minutes before heading out into the surf again.

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.

Ready for Picking

This beautiful pineapple, which is growing in a pot in my yard, is finally ready to pick and eat!  It grew from the top of another pineapple which was cut off and planted nearly two years ago.  I will be planting this top as well once the pineapple is cut. 

Photo of a Photo Shoot

I came across this photo shoot as I was walking on Lanikai Beach one morning - it is a popular place for fashion shoots and I have seen several others done 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. 

Hungry?

One of the divers at Sea Life Park swam right past us as she was hand-feeding squid to one of the giant rays in the tank.

Silhouette Sunset

Duke Kahanamoku Beach with the lagoon in the foreground.  This is one of my favorite parts of Waikiki Beach.  It's Skywatch Friday and you can see sky images from around the world by clicking HERE.

T: True Love

Hawaii is popular place for destination weddings, with thousands taking place on the beaches here each year. If you are at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, or Lanikai Beach in particular on the weekend, you are bound to see a duo in wedding attire. I snapped this photo of a just married couple right after their Magic Island sunset ceremony. For more 'T' photos visit ABC Wednesday HERE.