Scenes from the North Shore - Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park

We are approaching our last month of surfing season ... 

... and the waves still entertain!   The surfer stretches ... 

... and jumps right in!

I enjoy the colorful boards and apparel ...

... but its the surf that mesmerizes me!
   

  
The keiki (children) catch fish with nets ...

... and poles!

The keiki even snorkel!   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 14, on The Reading Reviewer.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Papailoa Beach, Turtle Beach, and Ted's Bakery

Hawaii News Now reported supermodel Heidi Klum was vacationing on Oahu's North Shore.   From this link,

A relaxing vacation turned dangerous for Heidi Klum and her family who had been on Oahu for the past week.

Entertainment Tonight obtained the exclusive photos of Supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum swimming into the ocean to grab her seven year old son Henry who reportedly got caught in a rip current Sunday. Klum is seen pulling her son to shore.

She was also photographed helping pull one of her two nannies to safety. Her boyfriend/bodyguard was also seen catching his breath after the incident.

In an exclusive statement to US Weekly Klum said, "We got pulled into the ocean by a big wave. Of course, as a mother, I was very scared for my child and everyone else in the water. Henry is a strong swimmer and was able to swim back to land. We were able to get everyone out safely."

An emergency call to 911 was not made. There were no reported injuries.

Lifeguards think the incident happened at Papailoa Beach where there was a high surf advisory yesterday with 10-15 foot waves and a strong north wind.

My family visited Papailoa Beach last week during Spring Break ... so I share our pictures with you!

Papailoa Beach is tucked away behind several secluded estates.  Hawaii law requires public access to all beaches ... so we walked down the sandy alley next to this house.  Maybe Heidi rented it for her ohana (family)!

The winter months bring monster waves to the North Shore ... but the volcanic rocks create tide pools for keiki (children).

The endangered honu (green sea turtles) come ashore to eat the lima (seaweed).  Hawaiian law prohibits interaction with the honu. 

My children walked towards Turtle Beach while I moved the car. 

I thought this house was intriguing ...

... with its Hindu motif!

My kids arrive on Turtle Beach - its lima attracts honu.

Volunteers from Malama na Honu (Protect the Turtles) rope off the beach when the honu come ashore (and the tourists descend from buses).  Check out this link for pictures of the honu on the beach.

Turtle Beach also attracts surfers ...

... and ohana (family).

No trip to the North Shore would be complete without a stop at Ted's Bakery!

We sampled its famous cream pies!   What's your favorite pie?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 6, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 7, on the Reading Reviewer (at this link).

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Sunset Beach on the North Shore

Sunset Beach offers more views of the North Shore .... 

... this photographer has the right camera to capture the power of the crashing waves.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to 'Ehukai Beach and the Bonzai Pipeline

'Ehu is spray; kai is sea.  Together, they are home to the Bonzai Pipeline - the Mecca of Surfing.

The beach was closed to swimming ... but seasoned surfers ventured out into the kai.   

 When the winter waves break over a shallow water above an offshore reef ...

.... the pipeline forms for serious surfers.

It was memorizing to watch the water rise .... 

... and fall into frothy white foam.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Turtle Beach on the North Shore

The North Shore is famous for its monster waves .... and Turtle Beach.   The surf calms down (just a bit) in this cove where honu (turtles) come ashore.

Here is Nalukai ... aka Brutus!

The volunteers from Malama na Honu (Protect the Turtles) rope off the area once a honu comes ashore.   The Hawaiian green sea turtle is an endangered species and it is illegal to interact with them.   Malama na Honu strikes a balance by allowing tourists to view the honu behind the rope.   The volunteers also provide helpful information about the honu.

Brutus enjoys the sun ... and surf!

  
Sometimes the surf washes the turtles high onto the beach.  They find their way back to the kai (sea).

  
In the distance, I enjoyed the 10 foot waves roll into the pipeline.   

A few surfers ventured into the kai ...

... taking advantage of the winter waves.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 17, on SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Malama na Honu, check out their website at malamanahonu.org.  

Dedicated volunteers with Malama na Honu.

Aloha to Haleiwa

Haleiwa is the gateway to Oahu's North Shore.  The "house of the iwa" feeds, shelters, and outfits those who eat, sleep, and breathe surfing.

Speaking of eating, Haleiwa is a mecca for lunch trucks, especially those who serve shrimp!

   
Haleiwa offers shave ice in rainbow colors!

Haleiwa hosts a "MASH" sign!

I love old cars that find new life!

Haleiwa pays tribute to the armed forces.

A surfer contemplates the winter water.

Winter brings the larger waves to the North Shore.  Even though Haleiwa is sheltered by the harbor's breakwaters, a few waves challenge paddlers and surfers.

Beyond the harbor, I followed the beach to an abandoned pillbox.  The beach continues to Waimea.

These children play in the natural pools.  The volcanic rocks  protect them from the incoming surf.

I spotted tourists learning to surf ... 

.... souvenir shops ... 

.... and surfboard rentals.

This vintage VW van is intriguing ... 

... and so is its advertising!

Today's comments are open forum.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 2, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 3, on SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii