My dear blogger followers, I want to express my warmest ALOHA (love) to you all and Mahalo (thank you) for your love and support for this blog.  My goal will be put on HOLD as I'm moving to Colorado to be with my husband.  I promise to continue this lofty enterprise sometime in the future.

The two photographs above is where I wanted to videotape dancing hula, located in Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.  The lushness and beauty inspired me to do this.  Unfortunately, another plan will have to be accomplished at a future date.

Here is the entrance to Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.  This was my starting point for today.

For my last walk, I decided to take a walk down memory lane and trod one of the areas that I lived previously.  Wahiawa Heights starts and ends on California Ave.  Taking 5.85 miles to complete with 3 miles being uphill!  Not only was the hike challenging, it also decided to bless me with ample rain!  HaHa!

Here is California Ave., in all it's soaked grandeur!

 Seen at Leilehua High School, I loved this mural for it's bold colors and I am especially fond of mermaids, especially Hawaiian ones!  HaHa!  Do you see the couple looking into each other's eyes?

Coming across this ingenious way to use a fallen tree, I loved their recycling creativity!  It became a wall with bromeliads growing all across the top!

The superimposed flowers and leaves using different hues of green tickled my fancy on this mailbox.

Finally, reaching the end of California Ave., it was time to descend from the heights!  The two water towers mark the top of the road.

Hmmmm...sock on a fire hydrant.  Why????

A beautiful road called, Royal Palm Dr.  Huge homes and properties come with panoramic views of the Waianae range.



Waving in the gentle breeze, this hibiscus sparkled as the rain drops reflected light catching my attention.  Knowing that beauty is everywhere and not only in Hawaii, I will continue to search out these things no matter where I am.  Please check out my other blog, click this link, thewalkinghawaiian2 , as I will be posting sights and scenes in Colorado and beyond.  Until next time, ALOHA (goodbye) and A HUI HOU! (Until we meet again!)

And where is Donna today?  The Northwestern point of the Island of Oahu, called, Kaena Point!  Even though there really isn't a designated road or street to this area, maybe someday there will be!  The first picture is the point looking at the west side of the Island.  The second shows the Northeast part of the Island.

Sorry for the spiral, but I didn't want to take 3 separate photos.  Does it look far to you?  Well, because we doubled the mileage by walking back to the car, it took a blistering 5.56 miles to complete.  I haven't been here since 1975, and  my boyfriend at the time took me there by motorcycle!  Going by foot is a little more challenging!  And yes, I did mention "WE" since my daughter Rochelle accompanied me for this walk, so TWO Hawaiians explored the 'aina! (land)

Here is the starting point, where the asphalt disappears to soil, rock and sand.

This is one lava rock that isn't going to be taken back as a souvenir to the mainland!  HaHa!  I asked my daughter to pose on it so that you can see how big it is by comparison.

I believe that this is the start of a mountain trail that switch-backs to the top!  Please double click the photo to see a larger image and try to identify the trail!

Art can be found way out here!  This pedestal used to be erect!  How it fell down and when is a mystery to me!  What a beautiful girl!

Looking out from the point, the coral extends it's jagged finger outward.  Putting on my reef-walker shoes, I decided to explore the coral outcropping.

Standing by a pool, wondering if I should step in the cool waters, I was surprised by a Monk seal's head popping out of the water and it BARKED at me!  Only 15 feet away, I talked soothingly to the seal.  The seal eventually put his head on the coral and rested.

Totally delighted that the seal didn't swim away, I took more pictures and continued to speak in a sweet voice.

Obviously, my continued talking started to BORE the seal, so this huge YAWN told me it was time to go!

What we have here, is Natural Hawaiian Sea Salt.  Evaporated sea water remnants pocketed the coral.  No, we did not eat it or take some home, even though we love it!

Somebody left a message to all who come to the point, so I rearranged the name and left a message myself!  This day has been astoundingly beautiful and lucky!  I hope that the same happens to you!  ALOHA! (Bye!)

The theme for today is Beautiful and Strange.  The brightly hued hibiscus reminded me of the sun.  Seeing orchids encircling these vertical palms seems unlikely with gravity pulling it downward.  So many beautiful items came into view as well as strange items, so, I'll pair the two for your enjoyment.

Having walked the flat-lands for the past several months, going back up the mountain ridges proved quite challenging. Continuing in Pearl City and taking 2 hours to walk 4.61 miles isn't breaking any speed records, but, Waimano Home Road is finally completed.

I loved the inviting passage through the gate into the yard. Calm and serene, I really wanted to enter.  The second picture was frightening, as the garage roof looks like it could cave in at any moment.  I most certainly would not be parking my car in there!  Would you?

The attention to detail made the first mailbox memorable, the second one was definitely different.  Made out of pipe parts or parts of a musical instrument, that's what I call recycling!

Still blooming abundantly, the rich colors of the plumeria shouts for attention.  I had to pause and ponder with the second picture.  I think that they are either trimming the mango tree or planning to cut it down altogether in sections.  I got this CRAZY desire to climb the scaffolding and see the view from the top!  I WAS an avid tree climber in my younger days!

I think I know what this contraption is!  I believe that it's an ELEVATOR!  Used for a handicapped person or to transport groceries or you're just lazy to use the stairs.  What do you think?

Somebody trimmed this growth to look like a bonsai tree.  Well manicured and located at the base of a huge established tree, it made me feel inspired that one person created this work of art for all to enjoy.  How many people pass by and admire this individual's handiwork?  I don't know!  But, the Walking Hawaiian did and is thankful for it.  Mahalo, mahalo!  (Thank you, thank you!)

Walking to the end of Hopeloa Pl., this empty lot with a magnificent panoramic view took my breath away.  I knew then, that I had to show this to you in the form of a video.  The light tradewinds whispered as I took the video.  Enjoy!

Surfing in Waikiki, my daughter needed a drop-off and so walking in Kahala was a logical step since it's so near to Waikiki.  I did forget that Kahala has rolling hills and this walk can be challenging!  Taking 5.17 miles, I completed a decent amount of area.  Being my neighbor hood as a youth, I have NEVER walked OR drove through this part of Kahala.  Fascinating!

Seeing a pointed roof peeking out near the entrance way of this home, I started visualizing what could be under it.  The high, lava rock wall, hid whatever lies underneath.  My imaginings are a Hot whirlpool tub, protected by the roof, or a lovely sitting area, with comfortable chairs and tables with a bar nearby.  What do you envision?

Whimsical and unusual, I loved the play of colors and it was surrounded by Pikake!  I'm sure that the home must smell heavenly!

The bright yellow ilima, (flower of Oahu), the fiery-red Royal Poinciana tree and the rooty Banyan tree makes for beautiful sights while walking.

My favorite gate for the day!  What I really like is the shadows it creates!  The  Kohola (whales) are swimming in an ocean of cement.  Not poetic, but accurate!  HaHa!

Using chalk as their medium, a garage door became the canvas for this budding artist!

Obviously, this horse doesn't know how to swim!  Decorating the front of a home, somebody got creative!  Of course, if you were made of cement, flotation devices could be helpful!  HaHa!  Hoping for some levity in your day!  Smile!  A Hui Hou! (Until we meet again!)

Seeing the brightly colored wall mural, I quickly snapped a photo.  At the time, I thought that the pebbly background was an interesting effect.  Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was letters.  So, your task is to tell me what it says!  Good luck!  * Spoiler alert!  The answer will be at the end of this posting!

Wanting to continue my connecting of routes, today's walk took me from Iwilei to Chinatown in the downtown Honolulu area.  It might not look far to you, but, 5.11 miles is what it took to accomplish this task.  Now, I have a path from Pearl City to Kahala strung together from separate routes!

Yes, the sign says it all!  Strolling through Chinatown with my beautiful friend, Amy, we ate a baked manapua from the Royal Kitchen, bought Char siu at the Char Siu House,  bought 2 stalks of fragrant tubarose at a lei shop, and visited various temples along the way.  Amy is the one in the GREEN shirt!

Espying a Dragon's head and tail peeking over a second floor rail, I decided to check it out.  What I found was a Dragon canoe! ( At least, that is what I called it!)  Read the next picture and find out all about this dragon!

Two thousand years of history!  Well, it might take me that long to finish my "Walking Hawaiian" goal!  HaHa!  Nah, only ONE thousand years!  HaHa!

Normally, I don't take pictures of buildings, but,  this one was definitely different.  The apartments faced either side.  You have a choice to either face east or west.  The walkway was in a straight line with the elevator in the middle.  Double click to see the details up close!

A fence blocked the continuation of Ka'aahi St.  You might ask me why, and I'll have no answer!  My best guess is that one side is slated for commercial use and the other is residential.

Good thing that the water wasn't exactly pure and clean, or else I would have jumped in at this point!  See!  Even the hono (turtle) won't touch the water!  HaHa!  Nah!  Actually, I thought that this park was Eden-like in the middle of high-rise Honolulu!  Don't hesitate today!  Just JUMP IN!  Pomaikai! (Good Luck!)  Highlight the white area to find the answer!

*Answer to the first picture: Ua mau ke'ea oka aina i ka pono! (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness!)