Aloha to Kualoa Beach Park!

My children recently camped at Kualoa Beach Park with their Boy Scout Troop. The Ko'olau Mountains overlook the 'ohana (families) who flock to the green space for weekend fun (at this link).



The lifeguard demonstrated how to paddle an outrigger.



The paddles are decorated in Hawaiiana motif.



Team One launches!



Team Two launches, too!



The teams paddled toward Mokoliʻi (Chinaman's Hat) ...



... and then back to the sandbar! One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, March 2, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 3, at SOS Aloha.

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

Aloha to Kaneohe Bay

Lanikai has a pillbox; Kailua has a beach; and Kaneohe has a bay! 

He'eia State Park offered the best views of Kaneohe Bay ... 

... with the Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) in the background.

Navy P3s flew overhead ...

... and landed on MCBH's short runway.

The park is home to a shrine ...

 ... the flowers always make me smile! 

The park is a great place to launch kayaks.

Further north is Laenani Beach, offering a distant view of Chinaman's Hat ... 

... and a collection of surfboards!   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, February 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 24, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Kailua Beach (part 2)

I have a few more photos from Kailua Beach.  Above is McDanno's car!  Or at least one similar to Danno's car on H50.

A Chinese tourist poses for her boyfriend.

The kama'aina (local) teaches a tourist how to wind surf.

These beachgoers enjoy the sailboat at high tide!

The flag raised on the mast!

  

The tiki god watches over the sandy beach.   Comments are open forum.   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 24 at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Kailua Beach (part 1)

For Valentine's Day, I treated myself to a walk on a beach ... so I ventured over to Kailua Beach!

The wide open beach gives way to bodysurfing waves.

Kailua offers views of Mokapu, home of Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
 

The trade winds make Kailua Beach a perfect place for wind surfing.

The Ko'olau Range peaks over Kailua Beach.

Mulimillion dollar homes enjoy ocean views ... but all beaches in Hawaii are open to the public.

Kailua Beach is also open to dogs!

Today's comments are open forum.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, February 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 24 at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii