Our Quadra cousins Mia and John and neighbors Linda and Wally came to visit and we had a marvelous time exploring, eating, sipping and laughing.
To John's delight, Wally opens another bottle of wine.
Drinks and pupu on the downstairs patio.
Linda and Buck.
Wally and John.
Doni and Mia.
We kept the fishing industry in the black...ono, monchong, opah... all delicious and fresh. This is our ono ono feast.
And now for some cultural/historical information.
Kawai'nui Marsh
Kawai'nui Marsh located near Kailua on the windward side of our island, is at over 800 acres, the largest wetlands in the Hawaiian Islands.
Sacred to Hawaiians, Kawai'nui Marsh, provides a safe habitat for several of Hawaii's endemic and endangered waterbirds. According to evidence such as Hawaiian legend and the remains of extensive agricultural systems, ceremonial sites, burial sites, and habitation areas, Kawai'nui Marsh and the surrounding area once supported one of the largest native Hawaiian settlements. It contains some of the oldest known Hawaiian agricultural sites. Kawai’nui was a food-producing area from traditional Hawaiian times to the early 20th century and it is one of the few areas remaining on O'ahu where evidence of terraced taro ponds and a fishpond still exist in conjunction with associated religious structures such as Ulupo heiau. (Information from the Internet.)
Here is the marsh from one vantage point. The place we visited next is across the mash to the left.
Ulupo Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick, offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace and achieve success in war (luakini). The luakini was the only one to use human sacrifice.
Ulupo Heiau was probably built in the 1400’s. It measures 140 by 180 feet with walls up to 30 feet in height. It is said the menehune (Hawaii’s little people) were the builders of the massive structure. Or it may have been built under the direction of a powerful ali'i (ruler). Whoever built it needed a large work force as the stones were hand carried. According to ancient records, Kualoa, more than 10 miles away, was one source of the stones.
Ulupo probably began as a mapele or agricultural heiau with ceremonies and rites performed to insure the fertility of crops. In later times, it may have become a heiau luakini dedicated to success in war with structures including an altar, an oracle tower or anu'u, thatched hale and notches in the terraces to hold the ki'i or wooden images, erected atop the stone platform, The spring off one corner of the heiau was another important feature contributing to the ceremonial traditions of the site.
Ulupo in the background.
Much work has been done to reclaim overgrown areas and to restore taro terraces as well as planting cultivating plants found around heiau or Hawaiian villages.
Resting in the shade of a hala tree.
Maunawili Valley is where my family lived in the late 1950's very early '60's. Mount Olomana was one of the mountains surrounding us. believe it or not I climbed to the peak of this mountain several times in my youth.
Front of the house we lived in. Still in good condition.
Back of the house and our yard. There are still some trees that were there when we lived there.
Around the island.
First of all, Kaena point, the western most tip of land on Oahu. Ancient Hawaiian folklore says that KaŹ»ena Point is the "jumping-off" point for souls leaving this world.
It is quite barren, desolate, hot and usually brown. Due to all the rain we have had it was greener than usual.
Mia, John, Buck and Wally hiked down the long road to the bird sanctuary.
Linda and I sat on the rocks and watched the whales. They put on quite a show. The big splash in this picture was made by a breaching whale.
The rugged coastline.
We were refreshed and renewed at Trader Joe's restaurant beside the famous Haleiwa Bridge. Buck, Linda and bridge.
Down the coast to turtle beach. This fellow is taking the nap we all longed for. it was a long but lovely day.
A hike to a waterfall below the Pali lookout. Through the heliconia leaves.
A misty (or maybe it is vogg from the volcano?) view of Kaneohe and Kaneohe Bay. The small island is Coconut Island. (Scroll down for Coconut Island trip.)
Our goal..the waterfall. We did miss the turn-off and hiked longer than we needed. On the way back a helpful person told us to take an alternate route to the lot where the car was. False information! We had to back track. A simple, short hike was tripled in length, but still good fun.
Friends Beam and Sue Paris invited a group of friends to join them on a trip to Coconut Island, an island in Kaneohe Bay. It is used by the U of Hawaii, primarily for shark and other ocean related research. Many of us mature adults remember hanging out on Coconut Island and water skiing off its pier. A few of the younger generation also recall water skiing there with the Hall family.
The Koolau Mountains and Chinaman's Hat island from the boat. The correct, culturally sensitive, Hawaiian name for the island is Mokoli'i Island
This puffer fish lives in one of the shark tanks. We were told to watch for him to appear..he loves to have his photo taken. He did look like he was posing and he was very friendly. And cute.
I love this ironwood tree. Trimmed to perfection.
A hammerhead shark. Pink 'snakes' are a type of sea cucumber.
A curious fish. Related to a sturgeon we were told-not sure about that. Possible a fish called kahala?
A black tip shark. This one gave me the creeps. As a crazy teen I swam across one of the shark pens on a dare. The sharks were most uninterested but I made points with my friends.
Hike to the Makapu Lighthouse. Looking back at all the hiker's cars and windward Oahu in the back ground. This area is usually very arid however, like Kaena Point, the recent rains greened it up nicely.
Rabbit Island and the windward coastline.
Surf crashing onto the rocks.
A cactus flower.
Ilima flower.
The next three photos come under the heading Didn't you listen when your parents warned you?
See the young folks enjoying the idyllic tide pool?
Without any notice of intent a wave washes over the rocks, pool and kids.
Before they can scurry to safety another, bigger wave crashes in.
Miraculously, as often happens to the young, everyone was there when the waters receded. We expected them to immediately climb up the hill to dry land. HA!
The Makapu lighthouse at the end of the hike.
A misty/ sunny Hawaiian day creates beautiful rainbows.
A sunset at the end of a great day and great visit.
