Hawaii

Koa tree on Maui

On the west shore of Maui, Koa trees take on amazing forms in the Pacific winds.

Koa Tree and Lava Rock Wall, Hawaii

The Koa is the most common tree in Hawaii and they take on endlessly varied, twisted and gnarly forms. This one is next to a lava rock wall in the "upcountry " on the Wastern slope of Haleakala, on Maui.

Koa Tree and Lava Rock Wall, Maui

The Koa is the most common tree in Hawaii and they take on endlessly varied, twisted and gnarly forms. This one is next to a lava rock wall in the "upcountry " on the Wastern slope of Haleakala, on Maui.

Upcountry Maui

The fertile slopes of the volcano Haleakala on Maui are the "upcountry". The volcanic soil supports many growing pursuits as well as the raising of horses and goats. It's a beautiful and peaceful area to explore.

Heavy Surf on the Big Island, at sundown

Heavy surf warnings were up today on the Big Island in Hawaii, and the pounding action continued as the sun went down. Blue-white spray hits black lava rock under a gold sky.

Hawaii Waterfall

Water cascades down a series of small falls in the amazing Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, near Hilo on the eastern side of the Big Island. Few visitors are in the garden today and it's very quiet at this beautiful and peaceful spot.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Water trickles down a small ravine and past mossy volcanic boulders in the amazing Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. It's north of Hilo, Hawaii, on the east side of the Big Island.

Tree Canopy on Big Island, Hawaii

The amazing Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, near Hilo on the Big Island, is home to a great variety of plants and trees - and not just from Hawaii. Look up and you'll see a fantastic canopy.

KABOOM!

Heavy surf hits an outcropping of black volcanic rock near Hilo on the east side of Hawaii's Big Island.

Heavy Surf Hitting Volcanic Rocks Near Hilo Hawaii

Heavy surf hits, and washes over, a large outcropping of black volcanic rock near Hilo on the east side of Hawaii's Big Island. I wish you could hear it!

Palace Theater, Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo, on the east side of Hawaii's Big Island, has some classic architecture downtown which gives the area a laid-back and pleasantly dated ambiance. This is the Palace Theater, a Beaux-Arts classic built in 1925. It's in active use today and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking these streets, you might feel like you could just toss your smartphone in dumpster and kick back with a cup of the excellent locally grown coffee.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo Hawaii

Rainbow Falls - Waianuenue in the Hawaiian language - is on the Wailuku river on the east side of Big Island, Hawaii. It's just outside of Hilo, in the Wailuku River state park, and is easily accessible. About 80 feet high, it was running strongly on the day I was there.

Lava Meets the Sea at La Perouse Bay

Waves explode against the lava shore at La Perouse Bay, Maui, Hawaii.

Big Island Cats

Hawaii has a lot of feral cats, but some aren't as "feral" as you may think - like these two, sleeping in a chair on a porch in a coffee plantation on the Kona coast of the Big Island. They were pretty much ok with people.

Whales and Rainbow

Near Maui, two battling male Humpback whales come up side by side, as the spray creates a momentary rainbow. Quite a sight!