The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau - Waimea, Hawaii 09-10

The "EDDIE" is the most prestigious big-wave contest in the world. The event is named after Eddie Aikau - a famous Hawaiian waterman. The Eddie has only been held only 8 times in the last 25 years. This years winner was Greg Long of California.

I've lived on Oahu for my entire life yet I had never attended the Eddie Aikau Classic. I woke up early and drove my car to Lani's Beach. I parked along the road and rode my bike up to Waimea. Hundreds to spectators were there before the sunrise to catch the morning action. Waves of 30+ feet crashed on the shore of Waimea. Yeah... they'll be no jumping off Waimea rock today.

National Tropical Botanical Garden

Located near Spouting Horn, the National Tropical Botanical Garden is truly a hidden gem on Kauai.

Mokuleia

Mauka and Makai (towards the mountains and the ocean)


Mokuleia shoreline


Sea cave

On the other end of Oahu's North Shore you will find Mokuleia. This is where the first season of the TV show LOST had been filmed. Mokuleia is also a popular place to bring your 4x4 to go off-roading. I gotta bring my 4Runner there one day!

Pearl City Bike Path

The Pearl City bike path winds along the shoreline of Pearl Harbor. Starting from Neal Blaisdell Park to Lehua Elementary and back is approximately 2 miles. Continuing on to Raindow Marina and back will give you approximately 8 miles total. A great place to run or ride a bike, this is where a friend and I would train for the Honolulu Marathon.

Should I stay or should I go? I woke up early this morning to take my bike on the Pearl City bike path. This morning is a bit chilly though, the temperature must be about 67 degrees (which is cold by Hawaii standards) brrrrr!!!!

Magic Island

Diamond Head in the background


"Bamburas" - One of my favorite bodyboarding spots.

Magic Island is one of my favorite places on Oahu. I usually go running there on Wednesdays, and this weekend I'll be attending a beach party there. Many times you'll see Japanese newlyweds taking pictures there with Diamond Head as the perfect backdrop.

Kakaako Waterfront Park

Kakaako Waterfront Park is a favorite among Hawaii residents for its beautiful grassy hillsides and ocean view. A close distance from Ala Moana Beach Park, Kakaako is easy to access and is a great place to have a picnic. Many families bring their children to frolic on the grassy hills and play in the beautiful Hawaiian sunshine. Today was a little overcast and windy but still beautiful.

Waikiki - Walls

Click on the picture to see the expression on the boys' face.

SPLASH!

Faith like a child...

Sometimes in life you have to take a chance.

This could have been the kids first time to jump off "Walls". After hesitating to jump initially, he ran to the top to jump again!

(You gotta love his little bro? on the beach cheering him on!)

Chinaman's Hat

Every few years or so, my friends and I would make a voyage to Mokuli'i island, otherwise known as Chinaman's Hat. We would walk or swim to the island and then climb to the top, like in the movie "Rapa Nui". To those who have never been there, here are a few pointers:

1) Best to go during low tide (Check a tide chart). You can walk to the island during low tide, but bring a raft or floatation device just in case.

2) Chinaman's Hat is a bird sanctuary, and has also become a fire-ant sanctuary!

3) Check the beach for jellyfish, ask the lifeguard if there was a recent sewage spill (from the bathrooms) and don't forget to look out for sharks!

Other than that, have fun!

Tantlus (by day)

Update: 9/10/08 @ 9pm:

A few friends and I went up to Tantalus to see the Honolulu city lights. Happy Honeymoon Lester & Sandra! I keep forgetting to bring my camera!... Next time!

View from Puu Ualakaa State Park

Part of the fun of Tantalus is simply getting there!


Wandering through the forest
In front of the lookout is a large grassy area great for picnics.

Waikiki and Diamond Head

Today was an especially hazy day. A city maintanance worker told me it was because of "VOG". The Hawaiian version of smog, it is actually volcanic polution from the recent eruption of Mauna Kea. Luckily for us, we have tradewinds to blow the vog out to sea.

Like most American cities, we also have our own "Lovers Lane". The place where couples go to... you know :) If Honolulu ever had one, Tantalus would be it. Beautiful during sunset, you can also view the Honolulu city lights when the sun goes down.

Upcoming... Tantalus by night!

Diamond Head Lookout

The infamous Diamond Head staircase


Lookout view



For some reason, it must have been caterpillar season. The trail was littered with the (squished) remains of giant caterpillars.

I've lived on Oahu my entire life, yet only in the last few years have I hiked up to the Diamond Head lookout.

Turtle Beach - Laniakea Beach

Update: 7/19/08
"Honey-Girl" a regular visitor to Lani's beach was found dead. The turtle was apparently slaughtered for meat and left on the beach. There is currently a $5000 reward for anyone who knows who killed the turtle.

The Hawaiian name for turtle is "honu" or in nihongo "kame"

Right off of Kam Hwy on the North Shore you will find Lani's Beach. The beach is better known as 'Turtle beach" because many turtles come there to rest. Protected by state law, it is illegal to touch a honu.

East West Center - Japanese Gardens

I've always admired Japanese gardens. If I had the yard for it, I'd love to have a fishpond full of Koi. At the East West Center on the UH Campus you'll find one of the best examples of a nihon teien (Japanese Garden) outside of Japan.

Manoa Falls Trail

A few friends and I went hiking to Manoa Falls last year. Although we never made it to the falls because of time restraints, we were able to take some photos along the way.

Pali Lookout

One of the most prominent stories of survival from a fall off the Pali was by local evangelist Danny Yamashiro .





Urban legend: A person once jumped off the Pali lookout to commit suicide. The winds was so strong that the person was blown back up to the observation deck. I guess it wasn't his time yet!

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai was once voted the most beautiful beach in the world by The Travel Channel. With a view like that, I can see why.

Sand Island Beach Park

Sand Island beach park overlooks Honolulu Harbor with great views of downtown Honolulu and Aloha Tower. Originally developed by the city as a family beach park, in recent years the park has fallen into disrepair. Recently, there has been a proposal to change the park into a off-road /4x4 track. Now thats a great idea!

Waimea Valley

I wanted to get a peacock feather, all I got was a peacock photo!

Update: As of February 1, 2008, it is now simply "Waimea Valley" -- Audubon has left and a non-profit owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs manages it.

I still remember when the valley was called Waimea Falls Park. The park had gone through numerous changes in ownership yet the beauty of the valley has not changed. The front entrance and cafe is free to enter but an admission fee is charged to see the falls. Peacocks roam around the valley freely struting their stuff. The valley is a nice place to relax and take pictures while exploring the North Shore.

Moanalua Gardens

Many Japanese tourists come to Moanalua Gardens to see the Monkey Pod trees. Hitachi uses one of the trees in their Japanese commericials. The tree is known as Hitachi no ki or "Hitachi Tree".

Diamond Head

Diamond Head view from Magic Island

Ever wonder why they call this volcanic crater "Diamond Head"? Viewed from a great distance, early British sailors mistakenly thought the shimmering calcite crystals in the volcanic rock were diamonds. If only that were true!