Following the waterfall to the coastal overlook in the Hamakua

Ever follow a waterfall in Hawaii to where it ends in the ocean? I've always been fascinated by this simple hike but have never done this type of hike before. So when the occasion came up recently to visit a private garden in the Hamakua with a waterfall and trail that eventually falls into the ocean, I was excited.

When I arrived at the property, I talked with the other guests and everyone seemed to be distracted with the beautiful and expansive garden which in itself was worth spending most of one's time enjoying. Since no-one was ready to hike, I started down the precarious staircase leading down to the waterfall. The paths were tricky but nicely planted with colorful anthuriums and other shade loving plants.

Then I noticed after taking a few pictures, I was totally being eaten up by mosquitoes (no wonder the guests were not interested in coming down) I was the feast that morning for all the mosquitoes swarming around like breakfast time. Needless to say, I didn't stay idle in one spot for a very long time.

I could hear the waterfalls directly ahead and in no time arrived at this beautiful waterfall framed with lush fersns and greens of every color. It was beautiful and I had the whole scene to enjoy on my own. Quickly, I followed the stream bed down a worn path dotted with palms and coconut tree along with many large-leafed plants. Finally, I make it to the edge of the coastline along the cliffs framed with  huge ironwood trees and supporting the cliff sides below - quite an idyllic spot to relax. The soft breezes at this point were keeping the mosquitoes at bay and allowing me to relax and enjoy the scenic views at my leisure.

I hear the waters loudly as they cascade down the cliffs into the ocean. It was a little tricky trying to get a good view of the waterfall falling into the rocks below, all I could really see was the rushing water from the top view, but the coastline views from the edge was quite spectacular.

It was an enjoyable moment even though I couldn't see the waterfalls cascading directly to the bottom of the ocean.  Now, it was time to make that arduous hike back up those 100 plus steps to the main house, well at least if I go quickly I won't be harassed by the mosquitoes on the way back uphill.

©Noel Morata, All rights reserved

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/
 

Waipio Valley Photo Excursion

A fantastic Saturday last weekend, when our local photo club sponsored a trip to Waipio Valley on the north Hamakua coastline. This gigantic gulch on the top western-most part of the island is unspoilt area outside of some dedicated taro growers that cultivate wet taro on the floor along the various streams and rivers running through the valley.

 

 

This type of excursion requires a solid four wheel vehicle to navigate the steep downhill grade to the bottom and the numerous rivers and impromptu streams that disect the main road leading to the interior areas and the main waterfall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©Noel Morata, All rights reserved

Come and visit my photography website at http://noelmorata.photoshelter.com/

A Walk Through Waa Waa

 

Deep into the wild and thick forests at Waa Waa, an unruly and almost untamed part of East Hawaii.  Even the roadway to this wilderness is pock-marked with deep potholes, water filled ponds collect everywhere and make it almost impossible to move along the muddy dirt road especially after a heavy rain.

It feels very magical here, like time has stood still for a very long time and you can almost imagine dinosaurs from a very long time ago actually living in this Jurassic Park like zone, even though that only happens in movies.

 

 

Amazing plants abound and grow way up in the tree canopy including this wild birds nest fern (Asplenium nidus), the leaves growing over five to six feet in length alone. I wish some were closer to the ground for me to bring back a plant for my garden, but these plants live way up in the trees hard for the plant collectors to reach.

 

Here is a longer shot of the fern high above the forest canopy and magically

it up by the shaft of light illuminating its beautiful leaves.

 

Large limbs or aerial roots drape from these large trees and are very solid as you can see

from a friend swinging here to test the strong roots.

 

 

 

Eventually we make it to the clearing at the end were deafening sounds of the ocean crashing

can be heard…we see the huge waves battering the coastline and throwing huge boulders onto the rough shoreline.  I took a shot of this imaginary piece symbol with the two rocks lit up the waves in the background.

 

 

This huge arch at the end of the rocky beach is the highlight of the hike, the waves are fierce and hurling huge sprays along the shoreline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a wonderful and short hike, I’m glad this area is rarely traveled except for those who live in this area.

 

A Great Morning

Its been a very wet week with constant rain and cloudy skies.  Saturday morning the clouds cleared, on my regular walk around the shoreline in Hawaiian Paradise Park. It was truly a beautiful morning sunrise filled with pastel colored skies. The golden cast illuminating the surrounding rocks along the coast and creating a breath taking moment that I just had to capture with my camera.

I really am in awe with my morning walks especially when I can see these constant changes taking place in front of me.

To see other worlds today, go and visit http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

A Solitary Moment by the Ocean

I love taking long walks along the shoreline at Hawaiian Paradise Park, the vistas are amaing in the morning and the jagged lava rocks have such amazing patterns and convoluted shapes.

Today's view to the ocean and the stormy clouds were just amazing to view, i'm glad I brought my camera today so i can share this with you.

This is my submission for Scenic Sunday. see others at http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Three Miles of Ocean Front Property for Sale.

Guess what, for just a mere forty million dollars you can be the owner of three miles of ocean front property with a very rare green sand beach and well over 2,100 acres of raw tropical land. This area is untouched by any development and has been largely intact for many decades.

This area really feels like Jurassic Park with old trees, jungles, coconut fringed beaches and ocean inslets that are rarely seen by the public.

The estate is privately owned by an Oahu family that rarely visits and originally had plans to build a mega resort here on the East side of Hawaii until family plans made them change course.





 

There are no structures but a small picnic overhang with stellar views of a beautiful inslet with green sand, one of only two places in Hawaii Island to have a green sand beach.

So now you can be the owners of this beautiful and pristine land a real piece of paradise....any takers?


For other great views of other worlds today go see http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Living on the Edge of a Live Volcano

Ever wonder what it would be like to live on the edge of a live volcano where unpredictable eruptions and lava can overtake whole subdivisions at a whim?   Amazingly people do choose to live on the fringe here in Hawaii, with no electric, no water and sewer systems, everything is done off grid and water is collected from the roof or trucked in.

As you can see lots are plentiful and cheap here, all boasting ocean views...and wonderful volcano views at night!

That trail of clouds actually is a trail of lava and steam coming down from the hillsides to the ocean.

Large tracts of once forested and beautiful lands are now scorched. But amazingly, new plants and trees actually sprout from pure rock and rubble - its nature at its best!

This home looks like its engulfed in lava, where actually it was sited between large areas of lava that probably had a flat lava lake where the home now sits.  Creating paradise from this land is quite an endeavor.


This is my contribution to skywatch from the edge of Hawaii, to view others go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/