I could use a little pineapple juice right now!  HaHa!  Actually, this area contains the newest, completed homes and I expected little by way of individual embellishments.  I guess that I should never assume!

At least I was expecting the fence this time.  Unfortunate that I had to backtrack, but, there's no other way.  The jaunt for the day totaled 3.24 miles in an area most mauka(toward the mountain) so far.

As I was walking the Rim road, I noticed the expanse of strong fencing on the side of the road facing the homes. The other side of the road is the rocky, high face of the crater wall.  Detective Donna realized that this will protect the homes in the crater from rockfall.  Detective Donna also realized that she is not protected at all, then spent most of my walk looking up at the rock face and listening very hard!  HaHa!

This dog has no bark and no bite!  The housing here has community mailboxes and slots, so, mailbox expression is not an option.  The resident here made their mailbox a guard dog and is placed on the left side of their front door.  A creative way to still use their mailbox!  Only a suggestion, but, maybe they should have put the mailbox facing the other way so the flag is not showing!

A view from Rim Rd. on the mauka (toward the mountain)  side of the Aliamanu Military Housing.







"Yard of the Quarter" truly applied to this home.  Double click the picture to see the intricate details of this patriotic yard.

I threw a coin in there and hope that I get my wish! Until tomorrow, aloha ahiahi!(good evening!)

Three colors on one car!  I'm not a real car fanatic, but, I just love this car!  The car make, the styling, the colors, make of the car so unique!  You would be so recognizable, make sure you're not doing something you shouldn't!

Back to Aliamanu crater I go!  I ran into some trouble today.  Rim road on the map shows that it joins up with Rim Loop and more housing areas.  That was my plan until I hit a locked fence about mid-point of the way.  There is another fence about 50 yds away on the other side.  I turned around and back-tracking I went.  A new plan had to be formulated on the spot.  Thank goodness I had a map, but, I wasn't prepared and I was more of "The Lost Hawaiian" instead of "The Walking Hawaiian!"  HaHa!  I still was able to put in 3.88 miles for the day.

I thought that the solar light looked like an interesting photograph to take, then, I saw the Texas shaped paver behind it and decided that's even more interesting.  All my exes live in Texas, that's why I made my home in Hawaii! (Changing the words to a country western song! HaHa!)

The trees are really blooming right now and it's hard for me to watch where I'm going since my attention is high up in the trees.  People might think I'm being snobbish, with my nose up in the air!

Not the typical lawn ornament, a trio of Meerkats greet you at the front door of this residence.

Good thing I was nearby when this fracas was taking place.  Three birds where having at it, until I came near and broke them up!  Hope you had a more peaceful day!  Aloha! (Bye,bye!)

What?  Tripler has a pool?  Where is it?  Well, it's in the middle of the gym!  That's right, you can't see it unless you walk inside the building, then go down the stairs, and lo and behold, a beautiful blue water pool which is 25 meters long.  And, that's not all folks!  They also have...

A Kiddie pool!  Shallow and good sized with lots of lounging chairs for the adults.  There's also...

A Sauna!  All in the same area!  Yes, the secret is out and some people are going to get mad that you know now!

Check out the view from the pool!  Yup, that's the Waianae mountain range in the background.  Double click the picture to see up close!

One of two "Fisher Houses," this is an alternative to soldiers and families receiving treatment at Tripler.  It's a home away from home with common areas such as; living room, family room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room.  The difference is that the guest is also a volunteer and is responsible for the upkeep of the home during their stay.  The lanai has million dollar views!

At the top of the road, finally, where the start of the "Tripler Ridge Trail" is located.  Follow to the end and come to the Ko'olau range summit and see the east side of the Island.

What!? A railroad crossing up here?  No, it's a Hospital Helicopter landing pad!  See the wind sock in the background?  That just blows me away!  HaHa!

A Hotel up here?  You betcha!  As long as you can get past the gate, you can stay here.  Privately owned and not a part of MWR, IHG Army Hotels also owns Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suite Hotels.  If you have orders, it's cheaper.  A nice perk is shuttle service to the Airport and the NEX.

Today completed the Tripler Hospital area and took an additional 3.88 miles to finish.  I loved the views and even though the walk took some effort, it was worth it.  I hope to return to swim in the pool and hike the ridge trail.

Okay, okay here is a flower picture!  I couldn't let you go 2 days in a row without one!  HaHa!  Called, "White Shell Plumeria," it doesn't open all the way, in fact, this is as far as it goes!  You would be waiting a very long time to see the petals open, because it won't!  E malama pono! (Take good care!)

Congratulations to "David!"  He is the winner in the drawing for a FREE "The Walking Hawaiian" T-Shirt!  The correct answer was, "child," but, "children" is acceptable too! Thank you all contestants for your participation and better luck next time!  By the way, there will be a next time!  Could the winner please contact me at: donna.smolinski@yahoo.com for further details. 

If you are interested in BUYING a "The Walking Hawaiian" T-shirt, please contact me at: donna.smolinski@yahoo.com for details. Ho'omaika'i! (Congratulations!)

Tripler Army Hospital, the PINK icon, unmistakenably located high on the Moanalua ridge.  Tripler orignally was located at Ft. Shafter, so named to honor Brevet Brigadier General Charles Stuart Tripler for his contributions to Army medicine during the Civil War.  This newer facility was completed in 1948, and the Old building in Ft. Shafter was torn down in 1956.  Due to its high location, it was perfect to broadcast their own radio station, KTGH.

This trek was a test to see if all the walking I've done has been effective in improving my endurance and strength. 

As big as a head, this fruit fell not long before my walk took me here.  If it hit me, I would be the next patient at Tripler!

Continuing to walk up and up and higher yet, this sign gave me comfort-- just in case!

With this picture, you may be starting to get a clue as to the difficult ascent to this long- standing edifice.  I went higher still.  I may not have been breathing easy, yet my legs said, "I can do more!"  No one was more pleasantly surprised and pleased than me!

Is there a parking problem at Tripler?  If valet parking is a feasible option, then yes, Houston, there is a problem.  You can pay $5 to valet park, or, go round and round the parking areas, following people that look like they may be leaving. (Yes, they were following me around too!  Read my shirt, folks!)

At 5 levels, you would think that this parking structure would be more than ample enough to handle all the patients, but, you would be wrong.

The reason may be that the Department of Veteran Affairs is also located on the grounds of Tripler.  Well, if not, it sure didn't help!

Who was the designer for this roof?  They must have been in a "colorful" phase when they worked on it.  Make sure to double click this to see close up the chaotic colors!

Okay, say it!  Where's the flowers?  So sorry, but none today.  But, you can use the colorful roof as your flower for today! HaHa!  I thought that this walk would be very long, but, it ended up being only 3.66 miles.  My math skills failed me again!  Check tomorrow for the winner of the T-shirt and have a great weekend!  A Hui Hou! (Until we meet again!)

Total miles for the week: 20.42
Grand total miles: 95.5!

The road to nowhere!  This area was located past a dead end of the housing at Aliamanu Military Reservation.  The land was obviously graded, but, it stops at the high point of the ridge.  Was it supposed to be more housing?  Was the land not stable enough to support it?  Did the military run out of money?  What do you think?

Someone must have lived here for awhile to cultivate the numerous flora.  Military housing is usually quite temporary and even if you had a green thumb, nature takes time to prosper.  So, this forest of flora is unusual by comparison to most housing.

Your world could be right here and you could walk to everything.  There is also a Library and skateboard ramps.  I have noticed (four walking days and still more to do) that this crater is pretty large and you can get a lot of walking right in here!

Is it a bird?  Is it a nest?  No, its a volleyball!  I think that its going to be there for a very, long time.  It may very well end up a nest if it becomes deflated!  By the way, it was really up there!

4.03 miles and still a long ways to go!  I may add variety and walk a different place to keep my walks spicy!  So, either my maps are way off on distance, or my calculations are.  I will finish this area, but, not all at once.  Be patient, my friends! It will be done!  Don't forget, one more day til the contest ends!  Enter and be a possible winner!  Aloha no!(love, indeed!)

The walking Hawaiian is walking.  I had a request from a blog follower to video me walking, but, the video didn't last, so, I'm replacing it with a photograph of me walking.

Nimitz Highway in this particular area is interesting since the H-1 is the second level of traffic.  This motorcycle dealership has a second floor visible to the H-1 drivers.  The showroom is on both floors!

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If you were wondering, how did she get the video of herself walking?  Well, my daughter kindly accompanied me today on my walk and she video taped me walking.  She's a walking Hawaiian too!

Now, I don't know if this puka (hole) was cut so that the electrical lines were unencumbered, or, the tree was trimmed and the tree decided to grow together!  It looks like a shape of a heart, don't you think?

Talk about just making it.  The support was needed, so, they found a tight space and I do mean tight to fit it in.  By the way, the sign on the support is about wearing seat belts.  Hawaii has the most expensive fee for not wearing seat belts.  I believe it's $92.



The Airport lei(garland) stands are an important asset as Hawaiian tradition give leis for celebrations, greetings, and departures.  Graduation's are coming up and this place will be hopping!  The lei makers graciously posed for a picture as they continue to make more leis.

You have to be walking to find this verdant walkway connecting Aolele to the lei stands.  Pedestrian travel here is pretty scary, especially if people are speeding or inattentive.  My daughter and I were running at the crosswalks to make sure we don't get run over.  Another problem we encountered was the short lights for crossing Nimitz highway.  We would start walking across and then look at the time remaining before the light changes and then we start to run or we won't make it across!  Who was the person that decided to make the lights so short?  A Sasquatch relative?

This may be the last time my daughter ever walks with me since I underestimated the distance again and we ended up walking 5.35 miles today.  She took a well deserved nap after we finished and ate lunch.  At least the walk was on level ground!  Aloha! (Bye bye!)