Saturday, August 29, 2009

The Orchid Isle

ORCHIDS


The Big Island of Hawai'i is also known as the Orchid Isle. The other major Islands also have names; Kaua'i is the Garden Isle, O'Ahu is the Gathering Place, Maui is the Valley Isle, Moloka'i and Lana'i are known as the Magic Isles.



While there are many different orchids that are grown on the Big Island of Hawai'i, there is a wild orchid called the Bamboo Orchid that grows everywhere on the island. This flower is very common in the Puna district where the rainfall and soil conditions are perfect for growing these rare flowers.



There are so many different varieties of Orchids to marvel at here on the Big Island of Hawai'i that it has spawned huge farms where nothing but Orchids are grown and delivered worldwide.

Such colors and styles are unmatched anywhere in the world and anyone visiting the Orchid Isle should take time to visit these places. The flowers that surrounds the island like a Lei is truly something to behold.

Aloha

Monday, August 17, 2009

Laupahoehoe

Here in Hawai'i, on the Big Island also known as Hawai'i, there are so many diverse climates to come across. Climates, we have many different climates here in Hawai'i. The Big Island can boast to having almost all of the world climates here on the Big Island. If we were to take the Köppen model as the example, we would see that Hawai'i is not only has tropical rain forest, but also has tropical desert areas. We do not have neither monsoon nor polar climates. However, we have just about all the other climates that make up the Earth's climates at different times of the year, depending on the weather conditions.



On the Big Island, you can drive from Hilo to Kona along the southern coast through the Volcano regions of Puna and Ka'u. There you will find a gentle transition from a rain forest to cooler higher elevation rain forests. Then the downhill drive into the dry desert of Ka'u. Eventually, the transition brings green vegetation back as you round the southern tip of the Big Island and proceed northwards into the south Kona districts. The southern parts of Kona will look similar to the Mediterranean reagons of Italy and France. However, in Hawai'i, growing coffee and mangoes are plentiful crops.



Traveling into North Kona and into the South Kohala district brings more desert areas and then the gentle transition into grasslands which reminds me of north central California. The rolling hills that change frequently from green to golden yellow depending on the yearly rainfall and the season.



Once reaching the Hamakua district on the eastern coast of the Big Island the transition again becomes drastic. From high altitude desert with cactus and dry arid rocky desert transforms to a lush forest that resembles the old growth forest of Washington state and Oregon. Lined with stretching forests of tall Eucalyptus trees, dairy farms, misty moist clouds that hang over the Waimea country side. Bone chilling cold in the winter and warm gentle trade breezes in the summer. This is Paniolo country, also known as Hawaiian Cowboy country.


As the road towards Hilo twists and bends like that of something wound. The transition from grasslands and old growth forests, into tropical rain forests begins to appear like a blur with the contours of the land that zigzags along the ocean. Then you come upon something like this:


Laupahoehoe gulch had this spectacular waterfall that finds its way into the ocean. It was just too much to pass by and not get a close up picture of the event caused by upper mountain rainfall.



There among the rocky black sand beaches, along the Hamakua coastline, is truly a wonder of nature. With all the climates here in Hawai'i Nei. I like this climate the best at Laupahoehoe.

Even with a 360 degree view of the Big Island of Hawai'i, there is always more to see than in just one view.

Aloha

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A Relaxing Sunset


As Hurricane Felicia fades away, a beautiful sunset appeared through the clouds tonight. The remnant feeder bands have produced much rain, but beautiful rainbows as well.

A glass of Iced Tea on the lanai, the sounds of soft guitar playing Hawaiian Slack Key songs, and the drawing near evening begs for a good night slumber.

Tomorrow will be a good day.

Aloha

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Felicia Fades

Hurricane Felicia fades away into a tropical storm that's due to reach the Big Island some time Monday afternoon. Either way, we're glad to see the worst of Felicia turn into just rain.


The latest radar image shows the hurricane breaking up into a large tropical storm. Which means we'll get a lot of rain and some wind. Hopefully, Felicia remnants will not be too damaging to the islands.

Hawai'i Civil Defense has been great in keeping us informed about the approaching storm.

Aloha

Friday, August 7, 2009

Aloha

Aloha kakou, i keia manawa, e huaka'i ana kākou i Moku o Keawe.
(Hello everyone, at this time, we will travel to the Big Island of Hawai'i)

















Click on the Picture to see a larger view.

The picture is a photo from the Space Shuttle as it passed over the State of Hawai'i. The picture shows the southern tip of the Big Island which is the youngest Island in the chain of Islands known as Hawai'i.

From this picture, you can clearly see South Point on the left. It is the southern most point in the Hawaiian Island chain, and it is the southern most point in the United States of America.

To the right is the Halema'uma'u Caldera, the Pu'u 'O'o vent and the entry point where the lava enters the ocean, it can be clearly seen from space. VOG, which is short for Volcanic (F)OG, it is mainly sulfur dioxide clouds that pass over and around the island.

And then, there is where we live. In the Puna district on the southern east side of the island.

Aloha,