Looking at the beautiful homes lining Diamond Head, I caught some movement out of the side of my eye.  These three, colorful "cocoon" like figures hang from a huge banyan tree, spinning and shining, and made of various plastic-like materials.  The "why" and the "what" escapes me!  Do you know anything about them?

Another surfing day for my daughter, so Waikiki and the surrounding areas were the choice for today!  The 4.50 miles completed an interesting area that climbed gently up part of the slopes of Diamond Head.  The homes located at the uppermost part were expansive mansions, whereas modest homes were situated lower.   Pualei Circle was squeezed with condo after condo, no single homes to be seen there!  *Public Service Annoucement!  Not only is the Zoo parking lot undergoing renovation and half is closed off, now the Waikiki Shell parking is also under construction and half the parking lot is closed!  Parking may be very difficult in Waikiki for a while!

Will the questions never cease?  Bright orange flowered vines covered a school fence beautifully, yet alas, I have no idea what it is.  Can you enlighten me?

There must be something veeerrrry important back there to necessitate a driveway circumnavigating your home.  It continued around to the back, so, I still don't know how far it went or what it led to.  Donna wisdom says, "Make a straight driveway by busting up the curb and making another ingress way to the back!" 

Talking about curbs, these curbs must have been made a long time ago, since using "coral" would be a big NO-NO now!  Most of this street was lined with coral curbs.

I had to come closer to believe this!  With the bottom area of the home used as a garage, the tiny upstairs is the home.  I swear, it must be a studio!  The front was all louvered windows, so at least they have some airflow!  Today made for some unusual and interesting sights and my hope is that more of the same will continue to come my way as "The Walking Hawaiian!"  Malama pono! (Take care!)

Why yes, I did post this picture before!  Today's blog is dedicated to identifying unknown flowers previously posted.  Even though I did identify this as a pikake, the reason why the color is a pinkish-purple is because this particular variety is the "Double-pikake!"  The pikake, meaning "peacock," was named by Princess Kaiulani, since jasmine (Arabian jasmine, actually) and peacocks were what she loved most.

I made up a name for this and called it the "Christmas Tree" flower, but its actually called, the "Pagoda flower."  So named because the blossoms layered to a point, just like pagodas.  I was on the right track since the scientific name means, "The tree of fate," and has spiritual qualities associated with it!

Hugging the walls of the Kalihi-Palama transit center, I thought that it was beautiful and had no idea to the identity.  Well, it's called, the "Thunbergia."  Under ideal conditions, this vine can climb 60 feet up walls or trellises.  I think that the transit center is at least 20 feet or more!

Known as the "Angel's Trumpet flower," its resemblance to a trumpet, as well as it's toxic components (eat it and you will see angels since it will kill you) help to identify it!

These four plants are still a conundrum to me and is yet to be identified.  If you could help me, I would be beholden to you!  Get outside today and enjoy the spring blossoms!  A Hui Hou! (Until we meet again!)

Even though it is a stone reproduction of a "large dog," (not really sure of the breed), I had an uncomfortable feeling of being watched.  As to why it was put there?  Your guess is as good as mine!  Double click the photo to get a closer view!

Another forage into Waikiki due to good surf and a surfing daughter.  I know it doesn't look like much, but  I still tallied 4.08 miles for the day.  With only one more section to go to complete Waikiki, I'm going to miss the company of the many tourist walkers in this area.

I found a shortcut!  Leading from Lauula to Kalakaua or vice-versa, a walker loves finding an easier way to get where they need to go.

Are you a license collector?  Well, here is an idea of how to display them and also to have a conversation piece.

"Wood" you like to have a motorcycle?  Made entirely out of wood, this motorcycle (missing one handlebar) doubles as a door jam at this business.  Check out the details by double-clicking the picture!

My favorite place to chill drinking frozen Margarita's and snacking on "ono" (delicious) pupus (appetizers).  The price is not bad either.  I know it doesn't look like much, but imagine the lit strung lights under the umbrellas and the tiki-torches soft light welcoming you as the cool tradewinds lightly blows across your face.  That's why I like it.

The second picture shows models relaxing after a photo shoot for this newly renovated hotel adjacent to the "Cha Cha Cha  Restaurant."  Expect them to be in an advertisement or a brochure for the hotel soon!

I'm just walking past this building and then...WOW!  Check out the gorgeous work of art hung on the wall!  Please double click and see the details.  I believe that this is "glass fusion."  I love the colors!  Hope you see something GORGEOUS today!  Aloha no! (Love, indeed!)

Yes, back up the hills!  This street called, "Kilauea Avenue," runs from Kaimuki to Kahala.  Today is an important date since this makes exactly one year since starting "The Walking Hawaiian" blog.  To celebrate, I decided to walk my old stomping grounds (apt, don't you think?).  So, I'm walking down memory lane, even though I think I drove around more than walked back then!  Ha Ha!

This perpendicular street was not far from where I took the picture, and it is named appropriately!

Today garnered 4.11 miles making the grand total this first year a blistering 471.13 miles. An even 500 would have been nice, but, I came up a little short.  Oh well!

These stairs to nowhere used to lead to two-story Army homes on "Fort Ruger," established in 1906 and named after Thomas H. Ruger, a Civil War General.  Fort Ruger was the site of Battery Harlow which was armed with eight 12" mortars.

Leahi hospital opened in 1901 cared for patients with tuberculosis and has transitioned to providing nursing home and adult day health services as well.

Known for it's cooking school, and medical associated degrees, Kapiolani Community College (otherwise known as KCC) has replaced the Fort Ruger Army housing since the Army relinquished the property back to the state.

Want to hike the Diamond Head trail to the summit?  Here is the entrance!  Where?  Located off of Diamond Head Road, of course!

A little obsessed?  Well, if this is your front yard, I believe so!  Practice makes better, yes?

Hmmmm, do we need the mailbox to be lit up at night?  This resident obviously thinks so!  The ends of the structure on top is the lights and in the middle is the solar panel.

Sometimes on my walk, I encounter places that pleases me immensely, and this was such a place.  It was almost a tunnel of well-groomed plants that smelt lovely and if a chair was nearby, I would have sat in it and pondered at the sight. It kind of reminds me of this CRAZY goal I have to walk all the streets of Oahu!  The path extends before me, but, beauty and adventure is always experienced along the way.   It is my wish that you encounter places that pleases you too!  A Hui Hou! (Until we meet again!)

Road?  What road?  I guess it used to be a road!  Frequently bombarded with inaccuracies, my walk can be frustrating and I bet I look pretty suspicious too!  HaHa!  At least in the future, I won't try to drive through here!  This used to be the continuation of Alokele St.  Check the map below and look for the XXXXX's, because X marks the spot!

Always a great feeling when I complete sections of roads, today only needed 2.11 miles to check mark off another area.  I could have went further, but, I guess I was LAZY!  Back in Kalihi-Kapalama district, low-income housing and businesses was the visual menu for the day.

With limited resources, you have to be RESOURCEFUL to make the best of what you have.  I give so much credit to those who do just that.  Here are some examples of what I saw!

Well, I think that you can rest assured that I will NEVER use this establishment!  I was hoping to see a movie star or someone famous dropping off their car, but was not so fortunate.  Somebody has got to use this place!  HaHa!

Talking about quality and $$$$$, this establishment is the "Mercedes Benz" of  "Aloha Shirts."  I was surprised that it is located in Kalihi-Kapalama, but I guess it has to be somewhere, and this company has been in business for a long time!

This is a reminder that spring is here!  Although I don't know the name of this particular plant, someday I will, so just enjoy and enjoy your day!  Aloha no! (Love, indeed!)