This guy might as well have a Cockney accent and sell insurance. Geckos are everywhere on the Big Island. Usually they're too skittish as photographic subjects, but this one let me creep ever closer until it too finally sped away.
Gecko
One Step Ahead of the Law on Coconut Island
Despite the prominently displayed prohibitory sign at the end of Coconut Island, attached to Queen Lili'uokalani Gardens by a foot bridge, the young-at-heart ignore it and jump into the water from the tower anyway. Seriously, no one is going to prevent people from doing what they've been doing for a long time.
Orchid Rain
On the occasion of her birthday, Hilo hosts the annual Lili'uokalani Celebration at the Queen Lili'uokalani Gardens. Aside from the hula dances and free concert performances, everyone looks forward to the orchid rain, the release of 15,000 flowers from a hovering helicopter.
Shadow of Mauna Kea
One of nature's breathtaking anomalies happens almost every night at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii's majestic volcanic peak. Because of an inversion layer that pushes the often prodigious cloud cover several thousand feet below the summit, I witnessed just before sunset Mauna Kea's giant triangular shadow being cast over the lid of the clouds to the... Continue Reading →
Ascent to the Heavens: The Summit of Mauna Kea
The ascent to the top of Mauna Kea shouldn’t be taken lightly. At an elevation of 13,796ft (4,205m), it is inadvisable to do it without first stopping at Onizuka Visitor Information Station to acclimate, about 30-45 minutes. The problem, of course, is that there is a paved road to the summit, providing too carefree and... Continue Reading →
Malasadas at Tex’s Drive-In (Honoka’a, HI)
The word is that Tex’s Drive-In has the best malasadas on the Big Island. We were only a short distance away from where we started on our guided tour down to the Waipio Valley. There’s more here than Portuguese donuts: breakfasts (including Hawaiian-style), burgers, musubi, salads, loco moco, and Hawaiian plates. Our Bavarian cream and... Continue Reading →
Ono Grindz at Hawaiian Style Cafe (Hilo, HI)
"What're your most popular dishes here?" I asked the waitress. "Everything's good on the menu. It doesn't matter what it is." Normally, I would throw away an answer like that. In this case, the restaurant is Hawaiian Style Cafe in Hilo. I wasn't so quick this time to disregard it because Travel & Leisure Magazine voted... Continue Reading →
The Loco at Koji’s Bento Korner (Hilo, HI)
Koji's Bento Korner doesn't look like much from the outside, has nowhere to sit down inside; it's take-out only. It kind of reminds me of a country store, not out-of-character for Hilo. Inside, there's enough room for just a few people to order. Despite all that, locals come here for the Koji loco special: two hamburger patties, three Portuguese... Continue Reading →
Back to Jimbo (Honolulu, HI)
One of the under-appreciated Japanese restaurants in Honolulu has to be Jimbo, which specializes in udon. The buses and people lining up in Waikiki suggests that Japanese tour companies favor Marukame Udon, which features make-your-own udon, a concept that has been picked up by U:Don in Seattle's University District. Jimbo is located in a part... Continue Reading →
Mana Nalu Mural Project (Honolulu, HI)
In the middle of Ala Moana (between the shopping center and Ward Center) is a mural painted on the side of a building. Like many murals, you wouldn't notice it unless you're oriented correctly. It was difficult for us even when we were looking for it. The work is a masterpiece of trompe l'oeil as... Continue Reading →
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