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Hawaii 2017

Diana and I decided to travel to the Hawaiian Islands for our 50th wedding anniversary. We started planning in December right after our anniversary on December 23. Diana and I had all of our air travel tickets, car rentals, and housing done within a couple of months. We then had to wait for the date. After picking up Diana's sister, Becky, at San Antonio INA, she dropped us at the hotel near the airport on March 13. We were up and ready for the airport early. But we had to wait for awhile due to a delay in Los Angeles. After a two hour delay we were finally on our way. We arrived in Honolulu around 12:30 pm. Got our rent car (Red Mustang) and headed to our motel. Our plan was to spend time on the islands of Ohau, Hawaii, and Kauai.

Don't rent a Mustang if you are our age.

March 14

Map of Ohau

First stop was Aiea Ridge Trail in Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area. We had planned to go there after visiting Pearl Harbor on March 15, but we wanted to see if we could find it.

Rescue Helicopter

(Don't know the story, but there were other vehicles at the park entrance when we left.)

Red-vented Bulbul (non-native)

Red-billed Leiothrix (non-native)

March 15

Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial

Diana and I got there by 8:30 am. The first available tickets were for 1:15 pm. So, we looked at everything that was free. Ate lunch at the snack bar. Photographed the common exotic birds. Finally got in to see the memorial.

The Memorial was a humbling experience, especially since most of the dead were just young men who died while our parents were either still in high school or just starting their family (before Diana and I were born).

Spotted Dove (non-native)

Common Myna (non-native)

We then went back to Aiea Ridge Trail in Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area. Pictures posted along with first ones of the trail on March 14. No odes were seen. Ate supper at the Dixie Grill.

March 16

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and park

We spent the morning snorkling and looking at the fish. It took me awhile to get the hang of it. We both wore out pretty quickly. Saw a few interesting and colorful fish. After lunch we headed east along the coast and checked out a few other places. We worked our way up the east coast to Kahana State Park to hike a trail to see if I could get any damselflies.

Sea Urchins

Enjoyed having the under-water camera!

Notice the drone?

Kahana State Park

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) (non-native)

White-rumped Shama (non-native)

Zebra Dove (non-native)

Pacific Golden Plover

Tunnel on the H-3

March 17

Kona Airport (Hawaii)

Diana and I were up early to catch a flight to Kona Airport (Hawaii) on Island Air. Left Oahu at 8:30 am and arrived at Kona at 9:30 am. It took over an hour to get the rent car. Rented a four-door jeep this time.

The outdoor waiting area was unique.

First stop was at Kaloko-Honokohaw National Historical Park. I was checking out a couple of freshwater pools between the lava rock and the coast. After touring the visitor center, we headed to the picnic area near Kaloko Fish Pond. I only found exotic odes.

Kaloko-Honokohaw National Historical Park

See the ancient raised planting beds?

Wandering Tattler

Ramber's Forktail (Ischnura ramberi) (non-native)

Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) (non-native)

Common Green Darner (Anax junius) (non-native)

Hale Huna

After shopping at Walmart, we headed for our place to stay while on the Big Island. Discovery Harbor, Hale Huna. Lots and lots of vegetation around the house. Much of the vegetation is food. Arrived around 5:30 pm, met the owner, photographed a few birds, and then went in for the night.

The house had solar panels to provide all the electricity, but the water heater was propane powered.

Yellow-billed Cardinal (non-native)

May 18

Got up early to a breakfast that the owners provided, pineapple, coconut pancakes, various fruits and vegetables. Very good. After we got through, the day geckos showed up to check out anything that they could eat.

Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) (non-native)

We were going to spend the day checking out some spots on the way to Volcano National Park. Most of the day was at the National Park. I wanted to check out Whittington Beach County Park and Ninole Springs near Black Sands Beach Park.

Whittington Beach County Park (Two days worth of pictures)

Yellow-billed Cardinal (non-native)

Yellow-fronted Canary (non-native)

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park

Helmet urchin (Colobocentrotus atratus)

Crabs

Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle (about 30" long +/-)

When you fall down, take a selfie along with a view looking up.

Orangeback Hawaiian Damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomela)

Hawaiian Goose - Nene (State bird)

Volcano National Park

Visiter Center Resturant and Tree Ferns near parking lot

Steam Vents

More steam vents.

'Apapane

Obviously the road was built after the lava flow.

Lava tube.

You can see the steam from the lava flow heading into the ocean.

We headed back to Hale Huna for the night. Arrived after dark.

March 19

After another large wonderful breakfast, we packed up and headed back up to Volcano National park. We stopped by Whittington Beach park once again. Still did't see any native damselflies. A few birds. Photos are shown on the Whittington Beach section. The park was in full sun today. Everything looked different than the day before. Stopped first at a trail that is supposed to have native forest birds and butterflies.

Got our own pictures of the butterfly. Kamehameha Lady (Vanessa tamenamea)

Kamehameha Lady (Vanessa tamenamea)

Hawaiian Blue (Udara blackburni)

Pea Blue (Lampides boeticus) (non-native)

Terry looked like this for most of our trip.

Kalij Pheasant (non-native)

Or this way!

Hawaii Elepaio

Tree Mold - The live tree which was sopping wet gets surrounded by lava and doesn't burst into flame until the lava cools enough to leave a mold of the tree trunk.

Yesterday the lava was not visible in the crater, but today we got some good views (from far away).

Erchel's Francolin (non-native)

See the snow up on the mountain? Lava looking south, snow looking north from the Jaggar Museum observation area.

Headed to Kona by way of the Saddle Road. Saddle Road cuts across the island between the two high peaks.

The observatory off the Saddle Road.

We stayed at Uncle Billy's Motel in Kona for the night. Not impressed.

March 20

Map of Kauai

To Kona Airport at 8:30 am. Turned in the jeep. Flight left at 9:30 am for an hour flight to Honolulu. Fight from Honolulu to Kauai left at 2:30 pm. Stayed the night at Garden Island Hotel in Lihue. Nice place (not new but well kept). Washed clothes and ate pizza.

Notice the solar panels? They are quite common on the islands.

Even the ceiling had palm fronds on it.

Brown Anole (non-native)

Brown Anole (immature) (non-native)

March 21

We headed for Waimea Inn to get key for the Kokee Cabin we were staying in Kokee State Park. Before heading up to the cabin, we shopped at grocery store to get a few things. Stopped at all the overlooks on the way. Ate lunch at Kokee Resturant and looked around in the Museum.

Warm days, cold nights. No cell service - on purpose. Rustic but all the other amenities - wood burning stove for heat.

Slender Kauai Damselfly (Megalagrion oresitrophum)

Slender Kauai Damselfly (Megalagrion oresitrophum) (female)

Kauai Mountain Damselfly (Megalagrion heterogamius)

Kauai Mountain Damselfly (Megalagrion heterogamius)

March 22

Very cold morning, in the mid 40's. When the sun came out, it warmed up quickly. Diana and I went to the north end of the park to look at a couple of overlooks and hike a couple of trails. Kalalau and Puuolila lookouts and Kahuamaa and Water tank trails.

Helicopter Rides are easier than hiking! (We didn't take a helicopter ride.)

Hawaiian Darner (Anax stremuus)

Kauai Bog Damselfly (Megalagrion paludicola)

March 23

After another cold morning, Diana decided to burn the wood that we bought and warm up and warm the house. I went out on my own today. Pihea Trail to Alakai trail junction and then down to Kawaikoi Stream and up to Alakai Swamp trail. It was a really difficult trail for me. Lots of ups and downs with rough footing. I started at 9:00 am and got back to the parking lot at 3:30 pm (he said he would be back by lunch - so I was getting concerned - guess that is "Hibbitts Time", Diana) I spent some time at Kawaikoi Stream looking for damselflies. Two species were observed plus the Hawaiian Giant Darner. Also a frog and skink were observed.

That is some trail!

Kauai Mountain Damselfly (Megalagrion heterogamius)

Slender Kauai Damselfly (Megalagrion oresitrophum)

Sllender Kauai Damselfly (Megalagrion oresitrophum)

Slender Kauai Damselfly (Megalagrion oresitrophum)

Wrinkled Frog (non-native)

Skink (non-native)

'Apapane

Kauai Elepaio

Zebra Dove (non-native)

He is actually not a tame rooster, but a Junglefowl. They were everywhere! (non-native)

March 24

We left Kokee State park. Stopped at one of the lookouts to see if any of the Tropic birds were any closer. Not. Photographed a flying Giant Darner and native hairstreak. After turning in our key, we stopped at Kawaiele Sand Mine Water Bird Sanctuary. A few native water birds were observed. Headed on to the east for Kauai Shores Hotel.

Kawaiele Sand Mine Water Bird Sanctuary

Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) (non-native)

Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt

Hawaiian Coot

Hawaiian Gallinule

Kauai Shores

Our "home base" for exploring the east side of the island.

Chesnut Munia (non-native)

Chestnut Munia (non-native)

Common Myna (non-native)

March 25

After eating breakfast at McDonalds, we went to Makaleha Stream trail west of Kapaa. The trail was much tougher than I thought it would be. Diana stayed at the first stream crossing and waited for me to get back (Terry told me I had to crawl though a cane thicket so I stopped where we were.-Diana). I went on up stream. I started getting dizzy (the trail two days before was still affecting me). I turned around before I got to the best damselfly area. I did get through the cane thicket but did not see any damselflies. On the way back just before getting to where Diana was waiting I finally saw one damselfly. It was a new species for me, too.

Scarlet Kauai Damselfly (Megalagrion vagabundum)

March 26 - We ate at McDonald's again. Diana located the Kauai Church of Christ to attend for morning worship. There were more visitors than regular members. A friendly bunch. After services, we went back to hotel and changed clothes and headed north along the coast. Stopped at ONO BBQ and Hamburgers along the way, not bad. I think the chickens (Junglefowl) had the rule of the place.

The lighthouse on Kilauea Point was closed but we could over look the inlet of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge for birds. Lots of sea birds that I had not seen before could be observed from the overlook. I tried to photograph as many as I could.

Red-footed Booby

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird and White-tailed Tropicbird

White-tailed Tropicbird

Great Frigatebird

Great Frigatebird harassing a Red-footed Booby

Laysan Albaross

We then went to the end of the road to Kee Beach State Park (Haena). The waves were very high (maybe 30' or more) and very rough. No one was allowed in the water.

March 27 - Visited Wailua Falls on the Wailua River and Historic site over looking Wailua River State Park. Looked at Operhaa Falls overlook. Went ahead and drove to the end of the paved road (Kaumo'o Road) to check out a creek crossing and look at the scenery. The stream was nice looking but no odes. Watched a local boy fly his drone. Looks like fun. We went up to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge again to see if I could get better photos of the sea birds (added to previous date).

Wailua River State Park Historical Site - a sacred place to the Hawaiian People.

Rainbow Eucalyptus (non-native)

Stopped at beach on the way back to the hotel and observed a couple of surfers. We didn't see many surfers the whole trip.

Brazilian Red Crested Cardinal (non-native)

March 28 - Packed up for trip to Honolulu. Left. Got to Best Western to spend the night before heading for home. We ate at a local pizza place near the hotel. The waitress found out we were from Texas and talked and talked about where we lived and what it was like, even went and got a map to see where we were from.

March 29 - Early flight from Honolulu to LA and then afternoon flight to San Antonio. Got in at 10:45 pm. Troy picked us up and we headed for home.

Terry & Diana's Photography and More

HOME - OUR PROPERTY - FAMILY - SCENERY AND TRIPS - PLANTS - CACTUS - DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES - BUTTERFLIES -AMPHIBIANS - REPTILES - BIRDS - MAMMALS

Kauai Mountain Damselfly (Megalagrion heterogamius)

Terry & Diana's
Photography and More