Hawaiiana

Beautiful rain

Akufu — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:35:00 GMT

The Ko'olau range on Oahu, HI, is beautiful under absolutely all circumstances, as seen here from Ho'omaluhia botanical garden on the windward side. Rain intensifies the greens on its steep slopes, and when enough rain falls, numerous waterfalls appear. And then there are the spectacular rainbows.

Haleiwa beach after the rain

Akufu — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:20:00 GMT

The North Shore of Oahu, surf's up!

Chinaman's hat

Akufu — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:03:00 GMT

Also known as Mokoli'i Island (little lizard) in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, one of the many beautiful sights to be found along Kamehameha Highway.

Koi and swan

Akufu — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:31:00 GMT

Paradise lost

Akufu — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:04:00 GMT

The inevitable has happened: I have left the Islands for other shores.

It breaks my heart and I will probably never again be able to listen to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's honeyed voice without becoming misty-eyed. Hawaii is truly a magical place, where life has a different rhythm, that of the waves, of the rains and the gentle trade winds. I can still recall the day I arrived, full of expectation. The first thing I noticed was the sweet smell of flowers. The next was the warmth of the people, who, with great hospitality, took care of me and instantly made me feel at home. That feeling only became stronger, thanks to my lovely new friends.

Now that I have left, I have a hole in my heart, part of me is left, staring at the ocean on one of the beautiful beaches, wandering through the rain forest, smelling the plumeria.

My life will never be the same.

Mahalo nui loa.

Hibiscus

Akufu — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:35:00 GMT

The hibiscus is Hawaii's state flower. There are seven hibiscus species that are native to Hawaii.

The Waimea Falls Audubon Center on Oahu has a special section of their botanical garden dedicated to both native and nonnative species. But you'll also find beautiful specimens in hedges along the roads all over the islands. They really are spectacular, and extremely photogenic!

Below the fold: more eye-candy:

Peahen

Akufu — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:36:00 GMT

Looking haughty and slightly disgruntled...

mmm skyscraper I love you

Akufu — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:12:00 GMT

Honolulu is a great city, integrating old and new. It offers something for everybody: beaches, bars, clubs but also theatre, museums and botanical gardens. My favourite hang out (when not sun bathing or clubbing of course) is Foster botanical garden, on which I will post more at some indefinite point in the future...

Lipstick tree

Akufu — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 02:43:00 GMT

The heart shaped fruit of the tropical Achiote tree (Bixa orellana), or lipstick tree, is the source of the food colourant annatto, which is used in cheese, butter and margerines. You may know it better as E160b, and really, there's not much that it isn't used in... The tree itself is very pretty and you can admire it in one of O'ahu's beautiful botanical gardens: Ho'omaluhia.

Attack of the radioactive giant killermoths!

Akufu — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:21:00 GMT

This will scare some people for real (you know who you are).