This bronze behemoth, located off of Atkinson Dr. and in front of the Hawaii Convention Center, is called, "Gift of Water," symbolizing the spring offering water, like the Hawaiian people's generous nature and goodwill to newcomers. "Like life giving water, this wellspring of aloha nourishes all," taken verbatim from the plaque on the statue.  I had to walk this road before I even noticed it!  Did you know of it's existence?

If you haven't figured it out by now, yes, I am in Waikiki again.  This is the last time, as my jaunt through this vibrant town is complete.  Having to criss-cross and backtrack the area, 4.54 miles is what it took to finish.  By the way folks, I have just crossed the 500 miles marker since starting "The Walking Hawaiian!"  500.19 to be exact!  Woo-Hoo!

I have walked through here before, but this sign IS a new addition!  Taking the photo near the Ala Wai canal, with the arrow pointing to the walkway adjacent to the canal, I decided to research on the web about this!

Finding this CONCEPT map describing the "Lei of Parks," it was defined as a system of paths and bike lanes linking the City's regional and local parks as well as attractions.  A multi-use network for pedestrians, bicyclists and runners! (Sorry, no cars allowed! YES!)  From Diamond Head to the Aloha Tower, it spans 14.9 miles, including 24 separate segments.  So, is it complete?  Well, the sign is up, so Detective Donna says it must be!  I think that I should find out on my "walking Hawaiian" treks.  That would be FUN!

Looking at this HEADLESS design on the shirt, made me take pause, until I realized that the wearer's head would finish the picture.  That's when I thought, I should buy this shirt, since I'm a hula dancer!  HaHa!

Be in Waikiki, and not have pictures of the beach and waves?  Unpardonable!  The first picture is called the "Hilton Lagoon" off of the "Hilton Hawaiian Village Complex," of course!  The second is taken off of Duke Kahanamoku Beach Park, next to the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.  Great surfing spots litter this area. (Very appropriate beach park name!)

 Art can be found in the most unlikely places.  Obviously a homeless individual resides in it's shade and protection, but what an artist who painted this!  I'm going to make an assumption that it was a homeless person.  When you see someone, judging their outside appearance is not who they are inside.  Hoping that you share "aloha" with someone today!  Aloha! (Bye!) 

Thank goodness he wasn't armed when I first talked to him!  Actually, Reuben is a Security Guard for "La Pietra: Hawaii School for Girls." He also produces replicas of Ancient Hawaiian weaponry and sells them at Waimea Falls in a booth just past the ticket booth. You can find him on Sunday and Monday, from 9am to 4pm at Waimea Falls if you are interested.   I handled the "Pahoa" and it is pretty wicked!   It's nice to be "The Walking Hawaiian," and to talk with another Hawaiian as I continue my journey.

Today was a perfect day of sunshine and good surf!  So back to the surfing spot in Waikiki to drop off my daughter and her board and on to paths not walked yet in the area.  I was able to trek 4.56 miles and found many fascinating facts in this small area.

The school, "La Pietra" started off as a luakini heiau called "papa'ena'ena.  After the death of King Lunalilo, James Campbell bought  the area.  Campbell sold the property to Walter Dillingham who built "La Pietra" in 1883, to closely resemble the "Villa la Pietra" in Florence, Italy where they were married.  Bequeathed to Punahou  Schools after their demise, Punahou school couldn't use it, so they sold it to Lorraine Day Cooke, wife of the great-grandson of Amos Starr Cooke (co-founder of Castle and Cooke.)  They transformed the house to a school and opened officially in the 1969-1970 school year.  Talk about a "history!"

The Diamond Head Lighthouse, first built in 1899 was renovated in 1917 when cracks were found.  Still using the "Fresnell len's" it's light can be seen 18 miles out to sea!  Hawaiians called Diamond Head, "Leahi," which meant "wreath of fire," since Hawaiians would light a fire on the crest of the volcano to guide canoe fleets back to the Island.

The Coast Guard is now responsible for the upkeep of the lighthouses and buoys.  The Commander of the 14th Coast Guard district now resides in the lighthouse keeper's dwelling that was built in 1921. 

Beautiful homes line the beach fronts and I think that I should have been wearing make-up with all the surveillance cameras I came across today!  Hey!  Wait a minute!  I think that there is an ancient drawing of Reuben on the gate here!  HaHa!  Check out the left side in the middle!  Double click the picture to enlarge if you can't see it!

Heavily decorated near the lighthouse dwelling, this little "patch of pretty" caught me by surprise!  You need to see it yourself and study the little details put together here!  I don't know who did it or why, but I surely enjoyed it!

Here is a little "patch" of  Diamond Head Road.  The sidewalks were wide and well maintained which made for excellent walking conditions!

I didn't take a tally count of how many "historic homes" I passed today, but I'm sure that there were at least 6!  This is one of them built by Earl Williams in 1932 in the English Tudor Style.  I was taken back to England looking at this home, although the palm tree looked out of place!  HaHa!  Well, you and I may not be making history, but we all have a story to tell!  Keep the story going, everyone!  Aloha! (Bye!)