Beauty can be left unseen when speeding by in a car, motorcycle or bike.  This picture would never have been seen if I wasn't walking.  Guess how large these birds were, and at the end of the blog, you will find the answer!

Continuing on in the Kaimuki area, I passed by places that my relatives lived for a time.  Although most of the original homes are now gone, I tried to remember where it used to be. Taking it easy this time, I walked a reasonable amount of 3.10 miles.  This route was actually traveled on May 8th.

Odd and frightening sights can be seen, and you didn't have to warn me twice to BEWARE!  Located in the front yard, I don't know the reason for this display!  Your guess would be as good as mine!

I have only seen this flower, the "winter starburst," once before.  This particular plant was a little stressed, and not in it's full splendor, but, I absolutely love it!  Click this link to see the winter starburst on another walk!

Plumerias are in full bloom, just in time for the many graduation celebrations that occur in the month of May.  These strains of plumeria are sturdy and last a lot longer than most!

I don't always show you any of the streets that I walk, so, I guess it's about time!  This is GEORGE St., and as you can see it is mostly residential with a rise to it.  I did walk from this point to the very end where it "T's!"

Normal windows here have a glass pane in the middle with a screen window on either end. I thought that the stained glass design was beautiful, even though that would block some of the light, but it could also add some privacy!

Three homes in a row were accessed by this pathway.   Maybe it was the cooling foliage, neatly manicured, but I thought that I would love to use this to get home.

An original mailbox, Diamondhead is easily seen in this neighborhood, so it made a lot of sense to have it painted on it!

 So, did you think that the birds were this tiny?  Luckily, I would have missed it too if it wasn't placed at eye level on a brick wall.  The owner did a wonderful job of mixing all the natural elements together to create this miniature scene.  Bigger, is not always better!  A Hui Hou! ( Until we meet again!)

Noticing a yard full of artistically trimmed bushes, this figure stumped me! I decided that I'll study my picture later and make a guess.  Well, I figured it out!  Did you?  The answer will be at the end of my blog!

Happily back in Hawaii for a short time, some more "Walking Hawaiian" was in order.  Trying to complete a puka (hole), back to Kahala I went!  Finding dead-ends and missing streets, my tally for the day was 4.93 miles! Actually, the walk took place on May 4th, so a little bit of a time delay due to technical difficulties!

How can I not include the beautiful flora that Hawaii has in such abundance! The joyous refreshment of the white hibiscus and the soft pink edging of the the second hibiscus were my favorites!

Coming across several items that I could not identify, can you help me?  The first is a fruit tree and it's not limes!  Do you know what it is?  The unusual shape of the lava stone picture seems to be representative of something, but what?  What's your interpretation?  Do you see the pineapple?

Upon occasion, I come across classic cars!  This is a 1960 Ford Ranchero!  Almost as old as me!  HaHa!  With Hawaii's humid climate, cars struggle with oxidation! (rust)  I'm impressed with it's resilience and it's good condition!

Note the intricate design of this gate! Not only did I love the "nautilus" shape, but I loved the stand-out aqua color!  That's how I noticed it in the first place!

Cutting a design through the steel, the light piercing the cut shows the pattern.  Unique and beautiful, do you recognize the design.  If not, I'll tell you at the end of the blog.

Towering coconut trees that must be 100 years old, the romantic in me likes how they are curving towards each other.  Gravity?

Now for the answers to the previous questions.  The manicured bush is in the shape of the "shaka" sign otherwise known as the " hang loose" hand sign.  Look at this picture and compare the shape!  As for the metal gate design, it is the Ko'olau mountain range.  Were you right in your guess?  Hoping that all the right things happen for you today!  Aloha no! (Lots of love!)

I call this home, "Path to the Ocean!" Please double click to see up close!  Do these people have money?  Well, if you live in Kahala, you do!  Even though I lived nearby as a child, I never really explored the area.  "The Walking Hawaiian" is giving me a chance to realize something I thought about, but never acted upon!

This challenging jaunt of 5.10 miles, was actually done on 12/20/15.  Historically,  King Kamehameha's canoes made many landings in this area when he made his assault on Oahu in 1795.  He defeated Kiana, king of Oahu in a decisive battle of Nuuanu. Afterwards, native Hawaiians began settling there.  Following the Great Mahele land division, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop became the sole owner of this land.  Turned over to Bishop Estate Trust after her death, much of the land remains under it's stewardship.

I was not alone punishing my feet as longtime friend, Roberta, joined me in this adventure.  An animal lover, she posed with this cute mailbox guarded by a Siamese cat.  She loves discovering Oahu just as much as me and tries to accompany me as much as she can.

Beautifully designed gates guard massive mansions with cameras positioned toward the road.  I believe that we were a popular video this day!  HaHa!  The wood looking gate was ACTUALLY wood.  Because I thought that it must be painted to look like wood, Roberta ran her hand across it to be sure.  Well, I was sure that police cars would soon be arriving to question some inquisitive walkers!

My favorite gate of the day was the last one.  The colored glass inlays made a interesting pattern on the gate as well as it's shadow.  Correct me if I am wrong, but, I think that there is a heart in the middle!  Aloha is love, so maybe this gate is saying, "Aloha!"

Love was definitely in the air, as a beach-side wedding was taking place as we were passing Kahala Beach.  As you can see, what a beautiful locale for a special occasion.  I wish the happy couple many joyous years together.

While studying the map, I saw many road-like extensions, makai (towards the ocean) of Kahala Ave.  I discovered as I walked, that these are public access ways to the ocean.  Hawaii believes that all beaches are for everyone, and no landowner can claim the beach.  The City and County of Honolulu decides locations for public access and intermittent passageway must be provided. Please go back and look at the map and see how many there are!  We actually walked one of them to make sure!

Always free to view and admire is the never-ending glory of the flowers of Hawaii.  I have always seen at least one per walk in the years I have been "the Walking Hawaiian!"  It never ceases to amaze me of the diversity of the Hibiscus!

I admire the levity in naming this home "Hale five 0!"  "Hale" means house and the five-0 could be the play of words akin to Hawaii Five-0 or it could mean a home in the 50th state.  Anyways, with the New Year fast approaching, I hope that levity will be a part of it and I wish you all the very best this coming year.  

Not surprisingly, this will be the last blog for the year of 2015 with the total mileage this year adding up to 13.33 miles and with the Grand total of 739.05 miles covered since starting 'the Walking Hawaiian." As you know, I have moved to Colorado in September of 2014 and try to get a walk in every time that I visit Hawaii.  Hopefully, 2016 will allow me many more blogs!  Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year!")

 The Windward side of Oahu, where the tradewinds blow up the steep walls of the Ko'olau's and the lifestyle and scenery has not changed much in centuries.  A two-laned (one for each side of traffic) road called, Kalaniana'ole Highway (is your tongue twisted?) circumnavigates this stretch I traveled today. We  call this area.. Waimanalo!

I know that this might be a little strange, as I usually post the same day that I walked, but, I had technical difficulties!  I'm using a picture from my walking program, because the map I use would take 6 pictures to show!  Just making it easier for you and me to see.  Taking almost 2 hours to complete about 5 miles, yes, it was a leisurely pace!

Fear, is an excellent motivator, and my first mile was a bit hairy!  Notice the skinny shoulder that barely fit me and the nearness of cars and don't forget the 1000 foot drop over the rail! Starting at the Makapu'u lookout, I walked my fastest during this part of the journey! Wearing my "construction yellow" shirt, I made it through safely!

Here is Makapu'u point from a different vantage point.  I call it, "the smoking lady," because it looks like a face with the lighthouse being the cigarette.  When the light revolves, it looks like she is taking a drag and the cigarette glows brightly.  Yes, I do have quite an imagination!  By the way, there is a trail that takes you very close to the lighthouse and is a great viewing place for breaching whales!

Who remembers "Magnum, P.I.?" The first photo is where "T.C." parked his charter chopper for "Island Hoppers."  The second is where Magnum lived with Jonathan Higgins and his Dobermans; Zeus and Apollo.  The lava looking wall blocking the estate is actually a motorized gate decorated to look as such.

A most welcome sight that I didn't even know existed!  My pace definitely slowed as I felt safer and the ocean and surf distracted me!

I don't know if I can convey the HUGENESS of this School bus, but, compare the size to the LARGE SUV's parked next to it!  I think that only 6'4" and above football players could get inside!  I couldn't see a step, so, watch that first step in and out and be careful when going under a low overpass!

Yes, my favorite!  Did I buy any?  Carrying emergency money with me, I bought two!  Waimanalo has a large percentage of Hawaiian Homestead Lands where to qualify for properties, you must be 50% Hawaiian or more.  Largely agricultural, they are known for their corn and salad vegetables with large hotels and restaurants purchasing their delicious fare!  By the way, the LauLau was ONO!(delicious!) 

Nearing the end of my journey, I passed by the Honolulu Polo Club grounds.  Thinking that the stabled ponies were being friendly, I should have realized that they probably were smelling the LauLau's and wanted some! Established in 1986, it used to be agricultural land. The matches start in May through October.  Tickets are $5 per head with children under 12 and military getting in FREE!  Relax and enjoy if you like Polo!  Tally ho and aloha (goodbye) until my next post!

Can you find the Rooster?  It's almost camouflaged by the bromilaids!  Aloha (hello), my blogger followers!  Spending a short time in Hawaii, I was able to do more walking!  Surrounded by 3 weather systems, the Hawaiian Islands has been affected by unusual patterns.  Sweltering humidity and drenching downpours have closed beaches and pool due to active lightning strikes.  How did this affect me and the "Walking Hawaiian?"  With 100% humidity and the long absence of walking here, I knew that this would be a challenge.  But, it felt good to be back to what I love and to the aina (land) I love!  Seeing surprising scenes again refreshed my memory of loving this challenge!  Did you find the rooster?

Continuing in the Kaimuki area, I managed to squeeze in 3.40 miles today.  Don't forget that the yellow highlight is the route for the day and the orange has already been completed.  Though it looks totally random, it was planned for a easier completion at a later date.  

Being a residential section, I was perplexed with these abandoned homes in a popular and expensive neighborhood.  I believe that this may be the last vestiges of Fort Ruger housing.   I hope that sometime in the near future, this will be renovated, or destroyed to be used to house the evergrowing population of Hawaii.

Ouch, ouch, OUCHEE!  Why do you think that they placed pointed lava rocks on the top of the surface of this lava wall?  So people won't sit or walk on it?  For uncomfortable bird perching?  I just don't know!

Hawaii is VERY big on INCOME RENTALS, in which they use part of their property to build a rental unit or sub-divide their home to house renters.  This particular resident transformed their unattached garage into a rental property.  Easy to do when winter insulation is not neccessary!

Free medical care can be had over here.  Also, vaccinations!

Are you being harassed by your wife saying, "Get rid of this junk!"?  Well, this is one way to do it!  I'm sure that his wife was not pleased, but, he could say that it was an ARTISTIC moment!  HaHa!  * TEST*  How many items can you find in the fence?

But, I need directions!  Only in Hawaii, do you use a surfboard to help you find an address!  Why did this tickle me so?  Well, it reminded me of my hand-me-down surfboard as a teenager, which was soooo waterlogged, it was more IN the water than ON the water!  It brought back a lot of memories.

They must have very high energy bills that necessitated the profusion of solar panels on the house and the garage.  Not very aesthetically pleasing!

Now this was very pleasing!  Lining their sidewalk with Canna lilies, I loved the show of colors and blossoms!

I see a theme here!  Flight?  The rooster and the airplane side-by-side was darling and a first in my book.  Normally, decorated mailboxes are few and far in between!

For the time being, until I MOVE back to Hawaii, my posts on this blog will be few and far in  between.  But, I promise to try to get a few in there from time to time.  I hope that you will find happiness and joy in life as a daily occurrence!  A Hui Hou! (Until we meet again!)