Snap!

 

Diamond Head, Waikiki, Ala Wai, with  a snap of a finger. 

Cool Breeze, Sunshine, Low Humidity

 

Today was a day of cool breeze, sunshine, and low humidity. This is a view of Waikiki from the Ala Wai canal of the kind of weather that we had in Honolulu. 

Horrible Singing at Flamingo

 

On Kapiolani Boulevard and near Ward Avenue still stands the late Flamingo Restaurant. Years ago they served tasty local dishes during the day and at night they turned into a karaoke bar. Memories of too many long island ice teas mixed with horrible singing still brings smiles among those of us who experienced Flamingo at it's peak. There was a Flamingo Restaurant in Kaneohe that recently closed and another one in Pearl City that may be the same restaurant but for certain the above image is the original.

Pali Pagoda

"The structure was built as a Buddhist memorial. This Japanese pagoda is best viewed from the Pali Highway. Built in 1966, it is a 1.5 times replica of the 16th century Sanju Pagoda of Minami Hokko-ji, Nara, Japan. In 2003 the structure was placed on the Hawai'i Register of Historic Places." http://wikimapia.org/5480450/Sanju-Pagoda-of-Nuuanu

Nuuanu and Pauahi

On the left is Mark's Garage, on the right is Hawaii Theater, and down the center is Pauahi Tower. Taken from Nuuanu and Pauahi Street on a windy evening when the sun was on it's way down.

Through the Viewfinder

A shot of the downtown post office was taken through the viewfinder (ttv) of an analogue twin reflex camera. The image is from a digital camera that was pointed though a Kodak Duaflex III. The marks on the viewfinder are desired for the antique look.

UPW Mural- Jean Charlot

The tile murals on the wall of the United Public Workers (UPW) Union's building is a creation by Jean Charlot the famous french painter. Although at first glance, I once thought it was created by Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Located in Kalihi on School Street, it is another one of Honolulu's little treasures for all to freely enjoy. It worth seeking out since it is a block or two and walking distance from the Bishop Museum. The art depicts hard labor as it recognizes blue collar workers who are usually the unsung heroes of the community. A bunch of young volunteers were laboring in the area by picking up trash, and they walked in between the mural and my shutter for this picture.

Hawaii, the Only State that was Once a Kingdom

Behind me is the Hawaii Supreme Court where the justices of Hawaii contemplate the law and make their ruling. The famous King Kamehameha Statute is situated right out front of the court as a reminder that Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that was once a kingdom. With his arm raised out, all are welcome as tourists from around the world point their camera at the statue to capture the image of Hawaii's king. In the distance is Iolani Palace where Queen Liliuokalani once resided. It was drizzling and a rainbow emerged over the palace creating the beauty of this moment.

A Fire Spread Across the Entire Town

Honolulu Chinatown 2011

Honolulu's Chinatown is colorful in more ways than one. The historical buildings were probably built in the early 1900's after it was burnt down starting at the boarder of Iolani Palace on King Street all the way to City Mill in Iwilei. Many of the people who lived in the area were infected with the Bubonic plague. Doctors and politicians believed that it was a disease of poor people and their remedy for it was to burn down the buildings that they thought carried the disease. Little did they know, people were infected with the disease by means of flea bites and because the lower class lived in highly soiled and littered areas (manily in Chinatown) where the fleas thrived, they were targeted as the inferior who were susceptible to the disease. There were high winds on that day that it was decided to set some of the buildings on fire for cleansing and unexpectedly the fire went out of control and it spread across the entire town. This same remedy was also used in Maui's Chinatown and in South East Asia. Click here to view a local vendor in Chinatown.

A Mesmerizing Skyline

To the far right beneath the sun's rays is the Waianae (west) coast. The sunset was mesmerizing especially when the sky became a fiery crimson hue under the dark clouds.

It's Built Backwards

Tripler Hospital is the military hospital that stands at the top of Moanaloa/Saltlake district. The architectural plans were read backwards and thus the building is built backwards according to an urban legend. Furthermore, the architect that drafted the plans was ill during the construction of the hospital in 1907 and when he recovered and saw that it was built backwards, he was so ashamed that he committed suicide. Another rumor about Tripler is that it was painted coral pink because they ordered the wrong color paint. The reality is that the hospital was built correctly according to plans so that the they could harness the wind as it flowed down the mountain. Lastly, the coral pink color was picked out by General Richardson to match the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and to mask the red dirt.

An Axe Head Chopping it's Competitor

Click here to see another view of First Hawaiian Bank on facebook

First Hawaiian Bank is the tallest building in downtown Honolulu. The older building was demolished in the 90s and replaced by this newer bluish mirrored building. The owners consulted with Feng Shui masters to ensure that the energy flow of the bank would be positive. Some say that it was built in the shape of an axe head directing a chop at it's competitor Bank of Hawaii (the building directly across the street). Maybe it's an urban myth but ever since the new First Hawaiian Bank was built, many businesses have failed for almost half a mile behind Bank of Hawaii which is in line with First Hawaiian Bank's feng shui chop.

Across the Ala Wai Canal

Click here to see other photos of the Convention Center on facebook.

Behind me is a one story building that used to be the old World Gym Waikiki in the early 90's. Muscle bound world class wrestlers, strong men competitors, power lifters, pro football players, tourists, students, and even Hawaii's Governor Cayetano visited this open air gym. The view across the Ala Wai canal was an empty lot and around the same time when it relocated, the Convention Center was built and it becoming the new view. Exhibitions, business conventions, dental gatherings, political forums, are held here. The TV series Lost had bits that was filmed at this location as well.

Honolulu Cityscape

It was a challenge choosing the photo of the day today because as it turns out there were several images that could have been selected. Today's photo was selected because of the color and it was the most dramatic image making it the strongest photo out of the group. Please check out Honolulu Photo of the Day on Facebook where a few outtakes have been posted and feel free to join this blog as well as "Like It" on Facebook.