Seeing this statue pounding kalo, (taro, also known as poi) the thought of eating some ono(delicious) Hawaiian food came to mind. In all the time I have lived here, I have NEVER noticed this statue. In front of First Hawaiian Bank, and off of Moanalua Road, if I wasn't "The Walking Hawaiian," I may have NEVER known of it's existence.
On the other side is a woman and child, with the woman beating kapa(tapa, made from tree bark) and made me think how easy it is to get clothes now, and how hard it was back then.
Walking 5.03 miles today may not have been a good idea, especially since it was so ikiiki(humid). Not only was the weather challenging, the roads had little to no place to walk, and I wished that I scouted the area first before walking it. Where is my bright, yellow construction shirt when I need it!
Here are some samples of the streets I was walking today. Even if I did have sidewalks, there were a lot of intersections that I had to cross and I was very leery of crossing even if I had the right of way, and for good reason...cars are bigger than me!
I was looking at this bloodshot "cyclop" eye that was looking at me, then I realized that it's a pearl in a shell! My Bad! It's called, "PearlRidge Gardens and Tower." Double click the picture to see up close!
All I kept thinking was, "Stick 'em up!" Okay, maybe the weather is making me pupule!(crazy!)Seen if you are driving into PearlRidge Elementary School, it is named, "He Pua Momi," or "The Pearl Child." Maybe you shouldn't have a HOLE in your head, no? HaHa!
As always, beauty seems to find me on my walks. You should always carry a camera when you walk! You may regret not photographing a great shot that surprises you on your way.
My favorite is in the middle of the top row, which looks like twisting rays of the sun. I'm not sure if this resident has spare hubcaps and stores it on his fence or this is his artistic expression, but, I had fun studying it! Have a fun day too! Aloha ahiahi! (Good Evening!)
Do you know how many times I have passed this in my car and I NEVER noticed it! Thank goodness for "The Walking Hawaiian," because this memorial is so beautiful. The circle could represent the world which is 75% water, the posts come out of the water where the ships were, and that they are also in a circle kind of reminds me of the "Knights of the Round Table" with King Arthur. No ship was more important than the other. The etchings of the ship and descriptions on the Plexiglas is a very nice touch.
My favorite letter, X and second favorite P, represents the "can't walk here" and the "parking lots." Obviously, quite a few on today's walk. For safety reasons, I understand. Some backtracking and "Where do I go now?" was the order of the day. Nevertheless, I trekked 3.89 miles today and added up 18.65 miles for the week, and for the grand total: 377.17 miles! The good news about this walk was NO DOGS BARKING, so it was peaceful, but the abundant dead ends weren't too fun.
Double click this picture to read about the memorial. I'm hoping that you can see it!
A place to go if you need ideas for activities! Cheap and interesting, they take good care of you by usually providing food, transportation and guides! I was tempted to buy some food, sit in the air conditioning, and forget about the walking! But I resisted and lumbered on!
One of the roads that I couldn't walk on, but I'm doggone going to take a picture! HaHa! Constructed in 1914, using quality materials means it'll last! By the way, "Hale Alii" means "House of the Chief!"
Here is one of the restored homes. I wonder if the occupants feel like they are stepping back in time when they are in the house or if the house talks to them, whispering memories. NO, I don't mean its HAUNTED!
Hidden amongst buildings and parking lots, the vastness of this banyan tree amazed me! I had this strange urge to run to the vines, grab it and swing using a TARZAN yell, but thankfully, the feeling passed! HaHa! Well, another week, another blister! Have a wonderful weekend and watch those CRAZY urges! Aloha!(Bye!)
This is a sight that many people see Monday thru Friday getting to work for the Pearl Harbor Shipyard, the Navy or the Air Force. The ferry operates early in the morning to transport people to work here and then late in the afternoon to ferry people home to Ewa Beach. Bikes, mopeds and cars surround this area as people get off the shuttle and vie for additional transportation to work. Saves on gas, time and stress!
Yeah, check out all the XXX's! Fenced in with coded turnstiles, these areas are off limits to everyone except workers and no cameras and cell phones are allowed within. Now you know why military bases are not a favorite jaunt of mine. Reroutes today were a requirement, but even with all the XXXX's, I managed to walk 3.0 miles today.
Ooops! I forgot to mention that "The Bus" also stops at the ferry launch. People also can use this as an additional means of transportation around the base and to the ferry. Today, some bus drivers in training stopped here to take a lunch/bathroom break. I talked with "Bruce" who is the instructor and we talked about routes and he said many changes are taking place and that more changes are to be expected after the election results.
Called "Hospital Point," I wasn't allowed to walk in there as it is "occupants only" area for the residents. The homes are historical, yet in great shape! I felt like I was stepping back in time looking at the homes. By the way, I was trying to find out if a hospital ever existed here on the point. Historically, it was mentioned that they were planning to build a hospital here, but it never said that they actually did. So, I'm not sure!
Well folks, that's it for the pictures! Pretty pathetic, yeah? Due to all the restrictions, I didn't have much choice. So to make up for it, I have some historical information about "Pearl Harbor."
History of Pearl Harbor!
Originally an extensive deep embayment, the Hawaiians called it, "Wai Momi" translated as "pearl water." During the early 19th century, it wasn't used for large ships due to the shallow entrance. In 1869, Congress approved $50,000 appropriation funds to deepen the harbor. In 1873, negotiations were underway for the cessation of Pearl Harbor as a port for the duty-free export of sugar to the United States. During the reign of King Kalakaua the United States was granted exclusive rights to enter Pearl Harbor and to establish a "Coaling and repair Station." *Check my blog a couple days back to see the informational plaque about the station.
On January 20, 1887, the United States Senate allowed the Navy the exclusive rights to maintain the "Coaling and Repair Station." (The United States took possession on November 9 that year) On Feb. 2, 1900, it was called "Naval Station, Hawaii. On May 28, 1903, the first Battleship Wisconsin, entered the harbor for coal and water. In 1908, the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard was established.
I know, lots of dates and facts. I'm sure that you didn't know about that before though. Hoping for a more productive picture taking day tomorrow! A Hui Hou! (Until we meet again!)
Etched in gold, with a blue flag to identify it, this Marine Private is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, earned in battle during WWII. Today, I'm sure you're wondering where Donna is? Well an opportunity turned up to attend a Medal of Honor Memorial Stone Dedication Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. (Otherwise known as "Punchbowl.")
Even though I'm sure that there are no "named" streets in the cemetery, I decided to walk it anyway. The looming edifice we call "Punchbowl" had a significant role in Hawaiian history due to its luakini heiau. When you see the following pictures, you will understand the reason. Walking the complete cemetery took 4.17 miles with some backtracking.
These spectacular views are what you see in the overlook which is practically the entire leeward side of the Island.
This is where the plaque to honor "Medal of Honor" recipients is to be placed and what the ceremony was about today. FYI, 52 of the 81 surviving "Medal of Honor" holders were here today participating in this dedication.
Although not "Medal of Honor" holders, these men have graced the cemetery making this their final resting place.
I think that this was a unintended decoration. Some child must have put this toy down to fill water vases, then forgot to retrieve their toy. Well, it sure looks pretty now! Hoping for unintended happiness for you today! Aloha! (Bye!)
Immense and powerful, I love the protection the banyan tree offers and the cool shade.
I'm thinking that I may finish this base a lot sooner than I thought. Today's trek garnered 3.71 miles, but many areas are gated and guarded and NO ONE goes in except the people that work there. I also found out that many areas are not to be photographed, so pictures will be few! Now you know why I don't like walking on military bases.
Hidden behind 10 foot tall bushes, stately homes peeked out of narrow breaks in the bushes.
Parking under a ramp, it's good since you've got shade, but, you better be SHORT! A knock on the noggin could be in store for you!
I'm sure that this is used for some form of exercise, but what? Have you got an idea, because I'm all out! HaHa!
Does this look like the "White House" to you? It's not of course, but I think that the roof line gives me the impression. Am I really reaching on this? Anyway, have a colorful day! Aloha ahiahi!(Good night!)
Disguised amongst the ferns and the cacti, I almost missed the pink flamingos. I guess that it would have been more noticeable if the wind was blowing and the the wings were spinning. A sweet addition even though I'm not sure if it has any meaning!
Yes, I'm walking Pearl Harbor now. With the publication of my map of O'ahu last week, I'm kinda fired up to finish some of the pages of map that are almost finished. So even though I don't particularly like to walk on military bases,I completed 3.88 miles today and will try to finish it to complete some pages. Even though I might oscillate between other areas to bolster my enthusiasm, please don't get too confused as to my intentions.
This interesting shop on Pearl Harbor buys items, then minus cost of business, the profits are given to various charities around the Island. Here are a few examples of products that they sell. Pretty cool, don't you think? Next Tuesday, there should be all kinds of Christmas items for sale if you are interested!
Seeing train tracks in abundance on Center avenue, I thought that it might be for hauling sugarcane sometime in the past, but, I saw this plaque talking about the "Coal Station," and changed my mind about the sugar cane. Still, I'm not a historian and am not absolutely sure about the tracks. Double click to read about the Coaling Station.
By the way, this is supposed to be the last remaining wall of the Coaling Station.
In a previous blog, I told you about the "Fuel Cell" car. The picture was of the Air Force car. These two cars were in the same parking area and that makes "3" fuel cell cars that I've seen so far. Remember that there are not that many cars in existence because of the exorbitant cost to produce them.
Two pictures of the same road! Long? You betcha! Pretty boring? You betcha! But even in the most droll of places, I found this!
A veritable tropical oasis! Lush with fruit trees and Hawaiian flora, I bathed in its beauty, shade and fragrance.
A bit of levity here! "Try dodge dis," was on a Dodge Ram Truck! Hope that you can find a bit of levity in all that you do! Aloha! (Bye!)
