Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

The Lake

Today, I decided to travel to the windward side of the island to look for plants and flowers. The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens was my place of choice. It's amazing to me that I have never been to this park, it is one of the most beautiful places on the island. I was impressed by the hugeness of the place. I spent over two hours walking and listening to some smooth jazz. The lake was breath taking, what a way to get your head on straight. The smell of the many different flowers was intoxicating. I didn't even cover an eighth of the park, it's really huge. Even the mosquitoes were in a relaxing mode and not worried about sucking your blood the whole time. The views of the mountains, the calmness of the lake, the smell of many flowers, and a peace of mind, who could ask for more......Aloha

Hawaiian Coot and lots of koi

another look at the lake

looking at the Koolaus

looking towards the Pali

palm leaf

more of the Koolaus

looking at the Pali

Waves on the North Shore

waiting for the right wave

this one looks right

 The waves were really happening but the wind made them a little blown out. There was traffic as expected and lots of bodies at every beach park. The waves were mesmerising, I could have watched the water for quite some time but oh well, I think that it was time to come home and cut the grass. Then, I forgot to eat lunch and was starving by the time I got home.
Tomorrow the waves will be smaller   and I will be searching for some things. So gotta go to bed and get ready for another day.....Aloha

this one was just right

splash......

waves at shark's cove 

on the rocks

Flowers of Wahiawa Botanical Gardens

Today was a good looking Hawaiian day, so I decided to partake in a trip to the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there were few flowers but lots of huge and old trees, in excess of 100 years old. I didn't take the correct lens to photograph 100 foot trees, so I only took a picture of their round and colorful trunks.
Wahiawa was clear but Wahiawa is known for being a damp place, so the sprinkles were definitely present. But not enough to send you back to the car or to seek cover, just enough to wake up the mosquitoes and have the pest trying to check out your blood type.
I strolled the gardens for about 2 hours, with music playing during my stroll. That was a pleasant adventure. I spent time admiring many different types of flora,palms, aroids, tree ferns, and epiphytes (what a cool word). You will see some of the flora that was at this garden.
Maybe next time I will bring a lens for photographing the upside of the trees........Aloha

Flowers of Hawaii

Lacrosse Season starts in Hawaii

Westside Girls Lacrosse

Nicole on the move

shooting for the goal

moving the ball

going for the goal

gotta get the ball first

ready for the shot

mad scramble for the ball

the girls are ready 

SCORE......

Today was the opening of the 2011 Lacrosse season. The girls were antsy to play the first game of the season. There were some girls that have never even seen a "real" lacrosse game being played. They played with a little reluctance and the game was a lost for them.
They have to really practice now that they have been a part of the game. They can see for themselves the importance of the basic game skills.
I have confidence in the team, practice makes things better so let's hope that with more practice time the team will do well and enjoy playing lacrosse here in Hawaii. It is something relatively new but it seems to be catching on very well.
The girls are having a good time and enjoying the outdoors, so it can't be all bad.
Let's get ready to spin time at the lacrosse fields on Sunday......aloha