Leap of Faith

This little fella placed both his paws in a ready position to take a leap of faith into midair as he fantasized about being the next dynamic super hero. With the wind whipping across his face and his ears pinned back, he imagined himself soaring along Piikoi street dressed with a red cape. Well then again, it's just my fantasy and he's just a handsome dog enjoying the fresh air.

In the Light of Dawn

The urban texture in the industrial district between Kaihi and Mapunapuna, making interesting patterns in the light of dawn like these warehouses.

Art or Not?

There is a documentary about graffiti and the hip hop culture which I can't remember the title to that I had watched recently. According to the film, graffiti originated with individuals that "tagged" their signs on railroad carts so that many people could see them as they rolled  throughout the country from state to state. One of the more famous international tags was, "Kilroy was here". Other individuals would paint over the tags to show off their painting skills as gang rivalries. Graffiti was meant to be temporary as they faded with time or was painted over by others, until some rich guys decided to buy and sell them as art on canvasses and to hang them in museums and indoor spaces. In Hawaii, the graffiti are usually just scribbles although I can't take anything away from self expression. My question is, is it art or not?

Lion Coffee Started in the Mid-1800's

 

It takes eleven minutes to roast the beans for Lion Coffee with the above machine. There is a separate room filled with liquid flavor and another machine for flavoring. The original company was formed in the mid-1800's and it is the oldest trademarked coffee company in the United States that is still in operation. It was started in Illinois and brought to Oahu. The company is small in size but they roast, package, and distribute their coffee internationally. Their coffee is served exclusively with Hawaiian airlines, local hotels, and sold in many local markets. These facts and many others interesting ones were revealed to me though their daily tour. Click here to see more photos on facebook.

These are Birthing Stones

Kukaniloko Birthing Stones

For many years now, I have wanted to pay a visit to these stones and today I was able to see them. They are not just any old rocks protruding from the ground but they are birthing stones that wives of ancient Hawaiian chiefs used to use as tools for birthing. There are a few dozens rocks that lay here and as a historical site, these stones are protected by the State of Hawaii. Some of these stones were curved in ways that could caress the bodies of the women allowing them different positions of comfort for ease of birthing. I also speculate that other rocks were used to lean on for standing birth. One stone was marked with a faint petroglyph carved on it. They were used for birthing for over 800 years. Click here to see other views of these stone on facebook.

Bird on a Wire

 

 This mornings sky was painted by the breeze that moved clouds into swirls and bold streaks that was tinted by the sunrise. The silhouette of a bird on a wire captured the moment of darkness to light and the new beginning of a new day.

Lucky Patch of Clovers!

It was an overcast and cool morning, and it would have been nice just to have slept in but work called and took over. Passing this patch of clovers on the way in, I imagined what it would be like to find a four leaf clover. Without really looking I took this quick shot. As the day progressed I counted my lucky charms and as it turned out I scored a free meal from a co-worker who took me to lunch at an Irish Pub called Murphy's Bar and Grill where I was treated to an Irish burger with blue cheese! What a lucky patch of clovers!

A Double Hibiscus

Hibiscus are recognized as the State's flower and they blossom in colors red, yellow, white, and pink. This version of the flower is a double hibiscus. Usually with only five petals, this one has double the petals which makes it much fuller and robust looking.

Sichigosan

Seven, five, and three or Sichigosan in Japanese are the ages that a blessing ceremony is done. Offering thanks and asking for good fortune is what parents have the Japanese priests bless their children with. The girls and boys all dress up in the traditional kimono outfits. I especially like the bright colors and the ornate designs of the outfits.

Public Housing

It's interesting to find what lays below merely by peering over a bridge. Taken at a stream across local public housing, this image depicts the rough neighborhood that I visited and a Hawaii that isn't paradise.

Kamehameha Swap Meet

Click here to see more photos of the swap meet on facebook.

The Kamehameha swap meet is open to buyers and sellers three times a week on the weekends and on Wednesdays. There may be a deal on something that may be worthless to someone but a gem to yet another. For sale were yellow ballet shoes hanging on a bike, power and hand-held tools, bright aloha print clothing, mechanical parts mixed with baby items, vintage fans placed next to vhs tapes and glass vases, coconut juice straight from the nut, a section for meats and vegetables, etc... It has been over ten years since the last time I had visited this swap meet and it is exactly the way I remembered it to be less the collectors who had their hands in a little bit of everything.

You've Got Nada?

Mailmen and ladies with their deliveries for the day at Honolulu's main post office.

 What will we do without the U.S. Postal? 

The Answer is Mu-Ryang Sa

Click here for the Outtakes for today's Honolulu Photo of the Day on Facebook.

Happy Sunday everyone! The Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple located in Palolo Valley is such a peaceful and sacred place that I felt my higher consciousness when I was there. I was on the grounds for only a few minutes when a shift to a meditative consciousness switched on within me. Everything around me was pristine. But then I noticed that upon leaving the temple I immediately felt the stress of city life once again. The outtakes from this shoot will be posted on Honolulu Photo of the Day Facebook Page this evening.

Where's Your Umbrella?

The photo of the day is in! There is a dead end near the University of Hawaii where this umbrella had no one to keep dry. When you need an umbrella, there isn't one to be found. When you don't need one . . . well?

Click here to see the outtakes on Honolulu Photo of the Day's page on Facebook.

Drip Drop Drip

This cluster of flowers popped out like maraschino cherries. An early drizzle subsided and it was sunrise.  I was inspired by the color red. What type of flower is this? Does anyone know? I'd like to know!