Yes, back on the road and this sign brought a smile to my face!  It's been awhile since the price of gasoline dropped below $4.00!  Of course, wouldn't you know it that we filled up ALL of our cars just 2 days ago when the sirens warned us of a Tsunami!  By the time we need to fill up again, most likely the price will be above $4 again!  Rats!

So, where am I?  Back at Pearl Harbor trying to finish off the last of the base.  Today's walk consisted of large, storage-like building.  For 2.81 miles, the route was pretty boring, but at least the buildings provided lots of shade with its long shadows.

Bus stop signs, I am accustomed to, forklift and golf cart crossing signs are a definite first!  By the way, did I see any?  Nope!

Called the"Hotel Pier," phones line this area.  I guess it's for sailors getting off of a ship and calling taxis or friends.  Lots of stone seats to sit and drink non-alcoholic beverages (do you see the vending machines?) and chat while waiting for an available phone.  Of course, with cell phones now, these booths may become obsolete!

Struck by the rainbow of color drapes, and the X's, it is not a usual sight on a military base!  Also, I wonder why  the X's are on almost every pane of glass!  Did someone forget to take it off?  What do you think?

A very long fence lining North Avenue, I like how they interspersed the wood with lava rock and the low bush and palm trees were a nice finishing touch.

I know that the pictures are few today, so I have a true, historical story to tell you.

The West Loch Disaster

This whole incident was classified as "top secret" until 1960, so it isn't as well known as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  A press blackout was enforced and Navy personnel were ordered not to talk about it.

During WWII on Sunday, (unlucky day for Pearl Harbor, yeah?) May 21, 1944, an explosion occurred in a staging area for Landing Ship, Tanks (LST's) and other amphibious assault ships.  Fire spread quickly among the ships being prepped for invasion of Japanese held Marianna Islands.  Over the next 24 hours, six LST's sank, 163 Naval personnel died and 396 were injured.

The exact cause of the disaster was never determined, but concluded that the initial explosion was caused when a mortar round aboard LST-353 detonated during an unloading operation because it was either dropped or went off when gasoline vapors ignited.  The incident led to major changes in weapon handling practices within the U.S. Navy.

In addition, during salvage and removal of the wrecks from West Loch, U.S. Navy personnel found remains of a Japanese midget submarine.  Researchers believe this to be the fifth Japanese sub used in the attack in December 7, 1941.


Anyway, hopefully the story made up for the lack of pictures and I'll be walking on Wednesday! (Halloween!)  Should I dress up for it?  If you comment yes, I will and I'll take a picture too!  Let me know!  Aloha!(Bye!)

Did the Walking Hawaiian disappear?  Where is she?  Well, due to family visiting and wanting to spend time with family, I decided it was more important to prioritize the wants of family more than my own wants.  The streets aren't going anywhere and before you know it, "The Walking Hawaiian" will continue her journey.

Since I only walked on Monday, the tally for the week is 2.20 miles, making the grand total 408.55 miles.

Do you remember a previous blog that I commented on the skeleton light decorations?  I said that I would buy it if I found it, well, I found it and here it is decorating my lanai.  "Target" was the store that sold these lights if YOU are interested!

Although I didn't walk on routes for "The Walking Hawaiian," I did walk around!  Here are some shots of the "Windward Community College."  Admittedly, I have never explored this campus and luckily had an experienced guide (my daughter) who volunteered her time to show me what the campus is all about!

Buttrused against the rugged background of the Ko'olau mountains, the College grounds are breathtaking!

Oh, to be young again!  I loved this student's "peacock" colored hair!  Reminiscent of younger days of boldly exploring fashion, make-up and self-expression.  So perfectly suited for young adults, if I did it, you would just think that I'm CRAZY!

What where they thinking?  I call this, "The DEAD plant Bouquets!"  I don't find the arrangements beautiful, but obviously someone did!  You can "enjoy" this in the brand, new Library on the campus.

Maybe the theme for the art pieces was "Halloween?"  Kind of creepy, no?

My sweet daughter posing between the artwork called, "Striving for the summit."  The artist, inspired by the Ko'olau's, making a gateway to strive for knowledge, procured this piece which is prominently placed in an open area on the campus.  I will "strive" to get back on my walking journey starting on Monday!  A Hui Hou!(Until we meet again!)

Now where did Donna go today?  To one of the Northern tips of Oahu, called, "Laie!"  Why?  Business and pleasure.  My son walked with me today and wanted a sight-seeing trip, so we stopped in Laie to walk, eat and enjoy the lovely sights.  The white building in the distance is the Mormon Temple, a prominent feature in Laie.

Not wanting to scare my son to never walk with me again, we only traipsed 2.20 miles.  My son did say that he could have done more, but, I do want him to enjoy his vacation and not need Ibuprofen for soreness!

Passing by Laie Elementary School, the underwater mural delighted my eyes as the blues are cooling and calming.

This playground set was puzzling!  The best I could come up with is the shape of a MANTA RAY.  What do you think?

Brigham Young University Hawaii also is a prominent feature in Laie, with many students using scholarships and work/study programs at the nearby Polynesian Cultural Center.

Here is a closer view of the Mormon Temple.  The manicured grounds and water features emphasize the entrance to the Temple.

Lovely, vibrant Bird of Paradise lined my route.

I know that they use this blossom to make leis, but have totally forgotten what it is called!  Pat!  Do you know what it's called?

A little graveyard scene setup to help us remember Halloween!  I took a few pictures of parts of it up close!  Creepy, yeah?

Not creepy, but cute, I liked how they decorated the plumeria tree.  The Walking Hawaiian is helping me to get great ideas for Halloween decorations!  Hoping that great ideas come your way!  E malama pono!(Take good care!)

These murals depict the story or "Legend of Kapo'i"(otherwise known as the "Battle of the Owls.")  But there is a story of this place where the murals where painted. 

 A tiny park behind a bus stop off of Kuhio Avenue, became a tagger's practice area, with drug dealers and homeless people residing there.  Nearby residents and bus riders alike complained about what was going on, so the police department and school students with the help of artists cleaned up the area and turned it into a place of beauty and history.

Another interesting factoid was when the volunteers started cleaning up the area, kalo(taro) started springing up naturally!  The variety was introduced sometime during Hawaiian history.  Powerful ho'ailona(signs, symbols) for HOPE, PROMISE and REGROWTH seems to pervade the area now.

The "Legend of Kapo'i" is about Kapo'i finding a clutch of owl eggs, getting ready to cook the eggs when the Pueo(Owl) came to him and wanted the eggs back.  Kapo'i gave back the eggs and was instructed to build a heiau(place of worship)in Manoa to the owl.  He did so, but without the permission of the Ali'i(Chief, King).  Kakuhihewa(Ali'i) of Oahu set out to kill Kapo'i, but owls from every Island darkened the skies with their numbers and attacked the warriors in Waikiki and drove them back.  The Ali'i acknowledged the power of the pueo and the powerful akua(God, spirit) and left Kapo'i alone.

As today's blog is a "Hana Hou,"(again) there will be no map, but realize that the area is Waikiki where the pictures are taken from.

A small condominium area, possibly a resident (not sure, but guessing) decided to spruce up the walls with murals.  All around the units are beautiful murals with scenes depicting hawaiiana flora and fauna.  A wonderful expression of pride in their community.

Not the first time I have seen something like this on my walks.  My husband is saying that people are stealing this for copper.  I have no idea!  Anybody a fireman and can explain this phenomena?

Keeping up with the times!  But, are there rental vehicles that are electric?  It looked like a hotel service and not a residential building as I could understand this if it were a residential building.

Seeing interesting reflections on this building with our sunglasses, "The Walking Hawaiian" was trying to get experimental with the camera.  Not totally successful, but interesting anyhow, I hope that you will always take the chance and experiment even if the results may not be as successful as you would have liked.  Life is to experience as much as possible!  Good luck and God bless!  Aloha! (Bye!)

I like how the Hotel, "Holiday Surf," incorporated a breaching whale using the design of the building to frame it.  You can find this on the Ala Wai Blvd.  Pretty cool, don't you think? 





After resting several days, this morning I jumped out of bed and my heel felt normal.  No pain, not even a twinge.  So I decided to try to walk today.  I probably overdid a little by completing 4.74 miles for the day, making the week total a satisfying 8.98 miles, with the grand total now a blistering 406.75 miles.  I can't believe the distance my Hawaiian feet are taking me.  Sometimes, I can't believe that this is a little Island, yet the 400+ miles are still a small area completed if you compare it to the whole map.

 

Oooo!  Street signs!  Yeah, what's so interesting about this, you say?  Well, Liliuokalani was the last Monarch of Hawaii, but if the Monarchy was not overthrown, Miss Cleghorn (otherwise known as Princess Kaiulani) would have been the next Monarch.

Who is "Victoria?"  Actually, that was the first name of "Princess Kaiulani."  Where the actual "Ainahau" was located, I'm told that it was where the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel now resides.  I know that the very first Banyan tree was planted on the grounds of their home, and I have been searching for Banyan trees along my routes in Waikiki.  I see trees here and there, and think that they may be "slips" of the original tree, but I'm not sure.

Normally, coconut trees have an attached sheet of steel wrapped around the tree so that mice and rats cannot climb it and live among the nut clusters.  I liked that this "silver" wrap has been painted a pretty "aloha" print.  What a great idea!

Oh, how can you make up your mind!  Beautiful ukuleles displayed on Kuhio Ave.  By the way, the Walking Hawaiian is reflected on the glass too!

Please double click and look closely at the eyes.  It looked like the lion had been crying!  That was the only place where the statue was wet.  Kind of weird, yeah?

Is your eyes going bad on you or is Donna posting a blurry picture?  Neither!  The bamboo is behind a sheet of glass which has water cascading down in front.  It is a beautiful effect, especially with the bamboo behind it!  So, you don't need the stronger prescription glasses yet!  HaHa! 

*Note!  On Sunday, I'll print a "hana hou"(again) of Waikiki.  On two occasions, I deleted photographs of Waikiki.  So, I have retraced my path, took the same pictures AGAIN, and this time, I didn't delete them.  They were such great pictures, so don't forget to check my blog on Sunday!  Aloha!(Bye!)

My wonderful blogger friends, I am so sorry again, but this time I have such extreme heel pain, that I can't even put my weight on it.  As I don't want to be a "limping Hawaiian," I read that the path to recovery is to REST!  So, that's what I did all day and I'm going to have to play this by ear and hope that I'll quickly recover and be back on the road.

Please think of me in your prayers as I know that it'll be a great help!

Aloha no!
Donna

Aloha, my blogger friends!  I have made a decision.  No longer will I walk Monday thru Friday.  My new schedule will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  For some time now, the Walking Hawaiian has been taking large blocks of time with the preparation, the walking, then the downloading of pictures and information gathering. 

I have pondered over this for a long time and decided that I need time to engage in other activities and nurture my relationships with friends and family.  I'm not quitting or feeling burnt out.  I just need to be more than just the Walking Hawaiian.  I hope that you aren't too disappointed in this decision. 

I will be back walking tomorrow and Friday and look forward to any of your comments when I blog.

Aloha no! (Love, indeed!)

The Walking Hawaiian - Donna

Yup, thar be submarines here!  Actually a memorial, I was looking all around to see signs that said, "Do not touch," or, "Do not climb!"  I didn't see any and I had a real desire to climb all over this, but, I do have a route that I needed to finish, and just in case they arrest me for climbing it, I should finish the route first!  HaHa!

Believe it or not, yes, I'm back at Pearl Harbor Naval Base.  Last week was a record breaker with friends accompanying me two days out of the five.  I'm starting to get spoiled!  I realized that I enjoy having someone along sharing the journey with me.  Well, today I was alone again and due to a long backtrack completed 4.24 miles! 

52 plaques representing 52 Subs during WWII that were sunk.  I couldn't believe how many lives were lost with the Subs only!  You have got to be comfortable in confined areas and without sunlight for long periods.  You can count me out!  I love my sunshine!

An eatery called, "The Dolphin Bistro," you can eat indoors or outdoors.  Lined with colorful stained glass, my favorite was the Hawaiian mermaid on the right!  Double click to see the details!

My favorite movie theater, "Sharkey Theater!"  The price for the show can't be beat!($4/adult) and for a large soda and large popcorn, $4 also!  Unheard of nowadays, yeah?  So sorry, you must be military or go with a military person.

The sun spot-lighted this particular Bird of Paradise, and the colors were so rich because of it, I had to take it's picture.

Almost missed seeing this torpedo since it was camouflaged in the ground cover.  I found it right next to a Day Care Center.  That cannot be "politically correct," don't you think?  Hoping that you discover something that you almost missed today!  Aloha! (Bye!)