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Aloha-Hawaii.com: Lahaina Nights January 2006 | aloha-hawaii.com : maui : dining & entertainment :lahaina nights Search for articles: Within this site All of Hawaii MAUI Brilliant sunrises and sweet symphony sounds. Idyllic rain forests and lavish...>> MAUI CHARTERS Maui Classic Charters is an adventure snorkel charter boat company that...>> MAUI BASKETBALL For one action-packed week each November, Maui is the center of the basketball...>> MAUI WEDDINGS Getting married? Few places on Earth celebrate nuptials quite like the island...>> MAUI SHOPPING Maui is known for many things: glorious Haleakala sunsets; sun-kissed beaches;...>> January 2006 | http://maui.aloha-hawaii.com / dining /lahaina+nights/ Time Lapsed image of Front street Lahaina LAHAINA NIGHTS: WHERE THE ACTION IS Author: Lance Tominaga Admittedly, Maui isnt known for its nightlife. The seaside town of Lahaina , however, may be the islands notable exception. From rowdy sailors during the whaling era to modern-day stage productions, Lahaina has always been a bustling center of activity. In Lahaina, the fun heats up when the sun goes down. Front Street, the towns main thoroughfare, is a great place to catch the sunset, grab a bite to eat, enjoy an ice-cold brew or simply "kick back" and watch the colorful parade of people passing by. Front Street is also a window shoppers paradise, with more than a hundred shops and galleries to explore. Whats more, every Friday is "Art Night" in Lahaina, where visitors can take in special gallery shows, artist demonstrations, refreshments and entertainment. Lahaina has been dubbed "The Art Capital of the Pacific" because it has more art galleries per capita than any other town in America. A free map of participating galleries is available at the Lahaina Visitor Center. Best of all, everythings free! One of the hottest shows in all of Maui is Ulalena , a 75-minute musical extravaganza performed five nights a week at the 684-seat Maui Theatre. Since its debut in the summer of 1999, Ulalena has garnered numerous awards, including "Best Show of the Year" at the statewide Hawaii Music Awards. National Geographic Traveler describes the show as "a Cirque du Soleil-like" presentation of Hawaiian mythology and magic that weaves lighting, dance, costume and music into an entertaining theatrical experience." Be sure to check out Mauis special events calendar to preview the latest Lahaina happenings. Some of the towns more lively annual events include the Chinese New Year Celebration (January or February), Old-Fashioned Fourth of July fireworks show, A Taste of Lahaina (September), Aloha Festivals Hoolaulea (October) and Holiday Lighting of the Banyan Tree (December). And of course, Lahaina doesnt get any wilder than on October 31st, when more than 30,000 revelers descend on Front Street to take part in "Halloween in Lahaina." This Mardi Gras-style event features a childrens costume parade, food booths, games, crafts, live music and dancing. Its the biggest (and wildest) party on Maui. ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. HELPFUL RESOURCES Maui Weather Lahaina Map | Email Friend | MORE FEATURED ARTICLES: > Diving Hawaii > Haleakala > Maui Golf > Maui > Hike Haleakala > Maui Basketball > Molokini > Arts & Cultu > Road To Hana > Maui Weddings MAUI POSTER Order a charming Maui poster suitable for framing. POIPU, KAUAI!! Great Deals & Fabulous Places On Kauai's Sunny Side!! POIPU, KAUAI!!! BEST MAPS Get Around Hawaii with 32 Detailed Maps of All Islands TAKE A SAFARI! Visit Safari Helicopters and take a turn at the controls of a virtual helicopter... Site Map | Contact Us | Submit a URL | Advertising Info | Privacy | Terms & Conditions ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. Designed & produced by: Tsunami Marketing . -- --

Hawaiian Island Maps Lanai

Best Of Hawaii - Map of Maui This Map of Maui will take about a minute to load if you have an average (28,800bps) speed hookup. (File size 115K) It is, however, a very detailed map and worth the wait. Meanwhile, Check out the useful information below the map while you are waiting... and then sign up for the BEST DEAL Hawaii Travel Discounts at the bottom of this page. Maui - Home of "Lahaina" the famous whaling port and the gateway to whale watching; Haleakala Crater - House of the Sun; The remote and tropically lush paradise of "Hana"; Kaanapali Beach and the best wind surfing in the world at Hookipa. Also known as "The Valley Island", Maui has a total area of 729 sq. miles - 48 miles long and 26 miles wide with 120 miles of coastline. Population is a little over 91,000 residents. The highest point is Haleakala at 10,023 ft above sea level. Driving Times from Kahului Airport Haleakala - 1 hour 45 minutes Hana - 2 hours 30 minutes Kaanapali - 50 minutes Kihei - 20 minutes Lahaina - 45 minutes Wailea - 35 minutes Wailuku - 10 minutes Other Hawaiian Island Maps Lanai . Big Island . Oahu . Molokai . Kauai Click on the Balloon and go to our Site Map for a "birds eye view" of the territory. From there you can shortcut to any page on this web site. If you're serious about visiting Hawaii here's your best resource for saving hundreds of dollars on your next Hawaiian Dream Vacation. When you complete the simple form below, your information will be passed on to service providers who offer a wide variety of "Best Deal" Hawaiian discounts. We've arranged for them to contact you with information on the lowest airfares, best rental car prices, fabulous deals on lodging, multiple activity discounts, and special low prices on Hawaiian products and gifts. Find out how you can plan your tropical vacation of a lifetime without spending a fortune! Name: E-mail: Address: City: State: Zip: Country: Phone: FAX: Please check all of your areas of interest. Airline Discounts Lodging Discounts Rental Car Discounts Activities Discounts Please tell us which Hawaiian Islands you plan to visit Island of Oahu Honolulu Waikiki North Shore Kaneohe Island of Maui Kaanapali Lahaina Kihei Hana Big Island of Hawaii Kona Hilo Volcano Kohala Coast Island of Kauai Poipu Hanalei Lihue NaPali Coast Island of Molokai Island of Lanai Please "click" the down arrow and select... Month/Year Arriving Islands: 01/01 02/01 03/01 04/01 05/01 06/01 07/01 08/01 09/01 10/01 11/01 Month/Year Departing Islands: 02/01 03/01 04/01 05/01 06/01 07/01 08/01 09/01 10/01 11/01 12/01 If you have special interests or needs, please enter them here. . PLEASE be sure you filled out the form completely and re-check your information for accuracy. Without accurate information we are unable to assist you.

Hawaiian City Garden

Hawaii Vacation in Lanai City - Hotel Lanai - Lodging near the island of Maui Hawaii Vacation in Lanai City - Hotel Lanai - Lodging near the island of Maui Just a few of the things to do while on Lanai: -Jeep Adventures -Tennis -Scuba Diving/Snorkel Excursions -Mountain Biking -Day Ferry Excursions to Lanai & Maui -Fishing Charters -Horseback Riding -Championship Golf -Sporting Clays -Hiking -Spa Treatments -Whale Watching (Dec.-May) -Hunting -Lei Making and Crafts From Mauka (mountain), to Makai (sea) activities on Lanai are endless. If you are here for a little R&R, it's the perfect place. If you are looking for some fun or are in search of an adventure, you will find it here. If you are looking for something different, there is plenty to try. If you want to stay on the rugged side of things, you can find numerous hiking and mountain biking areas. Horseback riding has also become a popular activity within the area. If you prefer the traditional sports, test your skills on any of the local championship golf courses or go play a few sets at area tennis courts. You can also take aim with any of the sporting clay and hunting areas locally available. For those of you who prefer to play in the water a bit, try scuba diving or snorkel excursions with Trilogy Ocean Sports. Spa treatments, day ferry excursions to Lanai, whale watching (Dec-May), and fishing charters are just a few of the activities that will give you the chance to "get your feet wet." For everyone else, there is a wide variety of Lei making, crafts, and much, much more. Places to visit: The Munro Trail : Named for George Munro, the New Zealand naturalist who planted Lanai's magnificent pines, this eight mile four wheel drive and hiking trail starts about a mile north of Lanai City and climbs in a southeasterly direction through impressive rain forests and deep canyons. It leads to the 3,370-foot Lanai Hale, the highest point on the island. On a clear day, all of Hawaii's islands, except Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, can be seen from this perch. Manele Bay & Hulopo'e Beach : A section of paved highway 440 known as Manele Road links Lanai City with picturesque Manele Bay, which has a small boat harbor with slips for local boats and tour boats from Maui. West of this port is Hulopo'e the island's most beautiful and safest swimming beach. It is the only picnic site on Lanai that has tables, barbecues, showers and rest rooms. The Bay and Hulopo'e beach are part of a marine conservancy district, which means outstanding snorkeling. Kaumalapau Harbor : Another paved stretch of Highway 440 which, like the one to Manele Bay, cuts through miles of what used to be pineapple fields and is now hay fields, connects Lanai City with this main island port. Pineapples, vehicles and freight are shipped out from this harbor. Other than this activity the simple harbor is of little interest to outsiders, but the dramatic views of the sea, high bluffs, and jagged cliffs on the stretch of the coast are worth the six-mile ride from town. Kaunolu Village : Also on the south coast, about midway between Kaumalapau Harbor and Hulopo'e Beach, are the remains of a once busy fishing community. Scattered on a bluff above the ocean, these ruins of more than 80 homes and other structures are said to be the most extensive and best preserved in the state. A national historical landmark, Kaunolu lies at the end of a rugged three-mile jeep trail that can be traveled only when the soil is dry. This area was a favored summertime playground of a great King of the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha the Great. From the cliffs high above the sea at Kahekili's deep leap, Kamehameha's soldiers proved their courage by plunging more than 60 feet into the ocean. Garden of the Gods : This is a fascinating canyon of wind carved sand and lava formations whose colors change throughout the day. Legend has it, that the rock formations were created by the gods. It is said that the gods like making art and this is where they would make their sculptures. The gods would make strong winds to sculpt their rock art formations. That is why there is no grass or trees in the garden of the gods, just dirt and stones surround. Legend tells us, it is bad luck to tamper with the artwork of the gods. So be respectful when visiting this sacred place. Polihua Beach : Just beyond Garden of the Gods, this trail snakes for a few miles down to a two-mile long white sand beach. This secluded, dreamy stretch of white sand is not recommended for swimming because of strong currents, but noted for excellent surfing. Great for picnicking or just strolling along the beach. Shipwreck Beach : Highway 440, also known as Keomoku road, leads from town to Lanai's northeast or windward coast. This narrow and winding road climbs high over the middle of the island and offers are stunning views of both Moloka'i and Maui as well as the abandoned, rusting hulls of two fairly large ships that gave the four-mile beach of white sand its name. Most of the eight mile stretch of road is paved until you reach a dirt road, which takes you left, into the entrance of the beach. Keomoku Village : At the end of the paved portion of Highway 440 (Keomoku Road) a dirt road branches right along the coast. Following this road about six miles will bring you to the site of the Maunalei Sugar Company, (it's said that if one hikes far into the trees toward the mountains, you'll find the remainders of the train tracks that was used to haul sugar cane). Having failed in 1901, all but one of the decaying buildings were razed in the early 1970's. Left standing was the Hawaiian Church. Legend maintains that sacred stones, placed by the Gods, were moved to build this fishing village. As a result, the water turned brackish and forced the villagers to leave. Lanai Weekly events : Saturday Market in Dole park: A weekly gathering of local vendors, as they proudly present authentic fares. Local grown vegetables, potted plants and a cultural mix of Hawaiian, Japanese, and Filipino delicacies can be found. Local artists and craft makers may also display their works of art here. Lanai Theatre : First run movies are played from Friday through Tuesday evenings. Two shows at 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Special events : Lanai Visiting Artist Program: Throughout the calendar year the island community and visitors have a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with world-famous virtuosos of literature, music, film, fine arts and the culinary world. This program is sponsored by Castle & Cooke Resorts, LLC., Island Air and Happy Vacations. Please inquiry directly, for information on a schedule of the upcoming visiting artist program. Annual events : TBA - Lions Club, Huli-Huli Chicken sale May - CHA-3 Kenpo Karate Tournament Bicycle Rodeo & Health Alliance Fair June - Miss Lanai Filipina Pageant July - Pineapple Festival Bon Dance American Cancer Society Walk September - Aloha Festivals December - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony HOME ACCOMMODATIONS ACTIVITIES RESTAURANT HISTORY SPECIALS RESERVATION FORM

Molokai? Click Into Our

Molokai Fish and Dive - Molokai activities, kayaking, fishing, diving, camping and snorkeling Home Activities Store History Books Contact Us Island Tour Need a place to stay on Molokai? Click Into Our Condo Well known by residents throughout Hawaii, Molokai Fish & Dive in Kaunakakai is packed to the rafters with everything that a person could need to have fun in the tropical sun. Over the years our Tours & Rentals Department has become the one-stop location for booking Molokai activities and tours. Whether it's ocean kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, whale watching, cultural hikes or fishing, we can make the arrangements for your adventure of a lifetime . In addition to being the Islands complete sporting goods store, within its walls can be found the largest selection of authentic Molokai designed T-shirts and souvenirs on the entire island. -------------------------------- -- Created by our staff members, the artwork is earthy and involved with the Hawaiian culture of Moloka'i. These exclusive designs have always been highly prized by residents and visitors alike and have never been available anywhere other than the store in Kaunakakai. As a result, they have always been one of the must things that folks bring home after a visit to the island. Now, a select few of these items are available to web surfers the world over. Over the years, the owner Jim Brocker, has taken thousands of superb photographs of Molokai and her people. Combing these photos with creative writing abilities he has authored Molokais two best selling books. The Lands of Father Damien , released August 1998, immediately hit Hawaii's Best Seller list. The book deals with Molokais Kalaupapa Peninsula, the people who were banished there and the dedicated priest, Father Damien. Containing 108 sepia-tone archival photos and 277 color prints, it is the largest pictorial publication in existence dealing with the events that took place in this desolate place. Jims previous book, A Portrait of Molokai. , is a must for anyone who has, or is planning to, visit the island. This 160 page book contains 375 color photographs that capture the spirit and beauty of this special place. Written in true local style, it portrays Molokai as can only be done by someone who lives here. So, come on in. We're glad you're here! Home | Activities | Store History | Books | Contact Us Island Tour

Hawaiian Music IRH-Amazon Books

Simply the most Hawaiian Music. Pull This Down and Wander Site in frames Listen Live page Making Donations Those who gave Sponsors Our email list Chat & Messages Speak Out! Requests Contact Info Surf Hawai`i Weather Buy Hawaiian Music IRH-Amazon Books Mother Ship (H4) Press to see what's playing Windows Media 20k Stereo Welcome to Listener Supported Internet Radio Hawai`i! Please visit our Donations Page and make one. Make a monthly donation and you'll be sent a special Monthly Donor's Only page where you listen and enjoy our 4 camera webcam system and a Recently Played Page making it easier for you to know what Hawaiian Music to buy from our friends at BUYHAWAIIANMUSIC.COM - see button left of page. More info below right. Donate Here ! buyhawaiianmusic.com If you don't see what you want listed, ask for it. Chris can get 'um. New - Older Photos here See Special Projects here Wanna Learn Hawaiian? Check this out. New Hawaiian Language Electronic Library Online Control Spam and help IRH too! SpamFire is what I use to weed out over 400 pieces of Spam every day and now it is available for Mac & Windows Users! I use it. It works. Before You Fly Webcaster Alliance Hawaiian Musicians can help out here . Some have helped already here . Special projects here The Fight to Stay Alive 2005 - Please Contact your reps and ask them to support legislation to resolve unintended consequences of the Webcasters Act. Latest eMails and Office numbers are at Congress.org Our IRH webcam page now features 4 cameras all peeking outside of the IRH studio. Help us out with a Monthly Donation and you get access to the Monthly Donor's Page with enhanced Playlist features and access to the now 4 Cam, webcam page..... IRH Tees 'n Stuff Tropical Kine Stuffs! Desktop Fotos 1! Desktop Fotos 2! Some of Your Websites TikiSteve.com TheSandalman.com Howard Bartlett Jason Cook panzo.org Dennis Peterson's HawglyDavidson.com theVirtualBarAndGrill.com R.J. Allison My Dad robertkabbett.net Wednesday! Well, so much for my optimism for the year. I heard you saying yesterday that you had only received about one third of what was needed in the way of donations for the month. I can’t imagine your frustration. You work so hard providing a site where people from the world over may drop in and enjoy a slice of paradise. In a time where we are willing to pay significant amounts to have cable or satellite television in our homes, folks now paying to listen to the likes of Howard Stern on satellite radio and we pay for some type of computer bandwidth to send jokes by e-mail, why not give a few bucks a month to keep something as beautiful as IRH alive? As long as you are here, you’ll have our donations. Take care Rab. Greg and Pat Roberts A new camera is enabling me to show you more realistic views of our Hawai'i. Above, Friday morning's sunrise as seen off the garage roof just outside our studio. More below - all shot Friday 1/20/06. I think this camera is gonna work out ;) Kahala Beach to Koko Head. Triangle Park, Kahala-Kaimuki. Inside Diamond Head Crater. Makapu'u. Waimanalo to Kailua. Monday morning's sunrise at 6:50 a.m. HST. The Monster Sea-Based X-Band Radar Dome you may have read or heard about is at Pearl Harbor. It arrived for a paint job last week. it caused quite a stir as it came into view from around Diamond Head unannounced last Monday. I saw it last Tuesday from atop Aiea Heights and wandered down to get closer and ended up down near the Arizona Memorial Museum. It's home port is Adak, Alaska and it will keep the western skies under surveillance when it goes into operations in the Aleutians soon. From a church parking lot you can see this large dome thing is docked down at Pearl. I got down closer to the X-Band and you can see it is loaded atop the 736-foot semisubmersible ship M/V Blue Marlin. I took this shot from the launch ramp down by the Arizona Memorial Museum. The USS Missouri and the Arizona Memorial from the lawn at the Arizona Museum. The new Ford Island Bridge from the lawn of the Museum. The plaque - lower left reads: "Anchor raised from the hulk of the U.S.S. Arizona. Cast in Chester, Pennsylvania 1911. Weight 49,585 pounds. One of many floral pictures captured by Amelia on her hike. Steps along the Maunawili Demo Trail - photo by Amelia Abbett, who is now back at Penn State after her Christmas vacation at home here in Kailua. More photos from Amelia's adventure to come. To follow below, some pictures from my adventure to Arizona. Press the small photo and a big one will open in a new browser window. Carol Schaub writes: I'm so sorry to hear that the station is in need again. Frankly, I don't understand the thinking of some of your listeners. The same people who wouldn't blink at spending $3.50 or more daily on a specialty coffee, can't seem to come up with a piddling donation of $25 a month to support the music that gives them so much pleasure. Even if they listen only twice a week, it comes out to a contribution of a mere $3 and change each time they listen. Now we both know that most people listen much more often than that – so it's even cheaper, especially when you consider all the hours that they listen. In any case, I'd like to contribute double my usual this month, and to thank you once again for all you do so that we, your listeners, may experience a piece, and the peace, of the islands. Happy Holidays to you and your family. I hope that this month your listeners will reciprocate and acknowledge just how important Hawaiian music is in their lives. May the new year bring you health, happiness and peace of mind. Aloha, Carol Listeners Ron & Madeline Speak Out. I read your article this morning about the correspondence between you and " Joel ". And having been a supporter of IRH for years continuously, I feel I have a certain right to respond to the matter in question. , Listeners are being urged to donate in order to keep IRH alive and running without you having to beg and plead each month to help out. That being said, by offering 'free' access in the beginning, until IRH had grown to an overwhelming audience of such proportions that it became evident that help was needed in the way of monthly donations. It thus became an absolute necessity in order for IRH to live on because of its own success. Consequently, listeners such as "Joel" are unfortunately just one of many of hundreds if not thousands, of cheapskates that think it is their god given right to take and not give in return just because something is there for the taking. What they don't understand is, is that it is not there for the taking, but for the enjoyment. The listening enjoyment of having a piece of Hawaii there within arms reach . A piece of Hawaii that a guy by the name of Robert Abbett provides for each and every one of us. For those of us who have been to Hawaii one time or many many times, it is a way to re-connect back to that little piece of heaven on Earth. For those who have never been there and only wish they could be, it is a way for them to be there without having to actually be there bodily but in spirit. In any event, the 'little radio station that could', from a house in Kailua Hawaii, needs all our support. If you don't believe it, turn it off and go put on your FM radio and listen to some BS music and a bunch of nonsense commercials for awhile. Maybe then you'll realize how much having Internet Radio Hawaii means to us all. Ron & Madeline Wilson Valrico, Florida Da Mokes, or more properly the Mokulua islands sit off of Lanikai beach. The island to the left is Moku Nui. To the right is Moku Iki. Both are bird conservation areas. You may land and visit the beach on Moku Nui during the day but you are not supposed to land at all on Moku Iki. Landing on and paddling out from Moku Nui can be very tricky and in fact deadly. Waves from both sides of the island wrap around the front and slap together as you make your approach. As happened on Monday 12-05-05 one can be swamped or turtled coming off the beach. A visiting reservist lost his life when that happened. Moku Nui island off Lanikai. Another shot of the Mokulas off of Lanikai. Ever see Kite Aerial Photography? Check out some shots of Haleiwa here . Mahalo to Tom Garber for sharing. Our family has given - how about yours? Press the graphic to go the Red Cross Website . Beware of Spam from sunspots.us - Roadrunner Security sent me an email Monday 8/29/05 indicating that someone in Seattle (not our friend Dennis Peterson) is using my domain irh.com as an "Ad" on spam about visitor destinations and to solicit business for their businesses and rental properties listed at sunspots.us. I know who this person is and I have spoken with roadrunner and some other folks about it. Should you ever get an email other than a personal thank you for your donation or an answer to a question, or a listener page update from irh.com or one of my other addresses then you can be sure it is not from here nor from me. We are currently being included as an "advertiser" via a link on the bottom of someone else's spam without my permission or previous knowledge. I do not spam, I have never spammed and if I did I certainly would not offer you relief from spam by suggesting you try Spamfire like I use - see the Spamfire info to the left. This person is a disgruntled wanna-be-partner who approached me several years ago about partnering up but never got it together (Thank God!). He also sends me $20 bills every once in a while and asks if I am still mad about all the wasted time and energy he caused. I always just mail the twenties back. I sent back his most recent $20 a few months ago and asked that he not call, write or even think of doing either ever again and this is apparently how he responds. This person and his employees even listed several other sites in closing their email as if to make it look like we were all buddies of his. "P.S. If you can't go right away, click below to enjoy some Hawaiian tunes www.kealiireichel.com/ www.e-hawaii.com/iz/izbook/izbook_98-09.htm www.makahasons.com/ www.IRH.com (Internet Radio Hawaii)" I am sure that Keali`i, the Makaha Sons and most certainly my dear friend the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole would never wish to have their sites or themselves nor their music associated with this person and his spam and business practices. It is very obvious that he simply does not understand the concept of Aloha and has some sort of major screw loose somewhere. One listener wrote me about his troubles with this fellow and how the folks in Washinton State call him "No-Pay" as he never honors committments and seems to forget to pay his bills. Anyhow, again, IRH.com does not spam nor advertise on other's email - period. I do not engage in spamming, have never spammed and never will. You can be assured of that. Should you ever get such an email please forward it to me and I will make sure the proper authorities are again alerted. Mahalo! Rabbett Runs here daily. Your hosts Joel Block & Deborah Byrd always have something intriguing to tell us about our Earth & Sky. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Please support these fine Hawaiian Artists! Most are available thru our affiliate link with BuyHawaiianMusic.com Special Mahalos to Dennis & David Kamakahi, Mike Kaawa, Keali`i Reichel & Fred Kraus, Iopa Maunakea - Bruddah Kuz, Pali, Bob Rogers ( Coconut Joe), Ku`uipo Kumukahi, Wiki Waki Woo, Keola Beamer, Bill Wynne (no cd yet), Monkeypod Records , Moloka`i, including artists Darrell Labrado, Sterling Kalua and all songs and artists who appear on "Moloka`i Now," Sonny Ching, Na `Oiwi, John Keawe, Leokane Pryor & Weldon Kekauoha, Neosproductions and the Moonlighters ! Mahalo to ALL these folks! Internet Radio Hawai`i is a service of Hot Spots Hawai`i, Inc. © 2005 Saturday morning I was up on Makakilo early for a work appointment. I caught pre-dawn on the way up and sunrise on the way down the hill. Pre-dawn off of Makakilo. Sunrise as seen from Makakilo. Diamond Head Sunrise. Makakilo Hillside bathed by the early morning sun. Santa blessed our Daughter Amelia with a new digital camera for Christmas and on January 4th she and friends went for a hike along the Maunawili Demo Trail from Waimanalo to Maunawili. Over the next few weeks I'll post some of the photos she took from that hike on the page here. Below plants on plants. Parasitic plants grow upon another along the trail. One of many floral pictures captured by Amelia on her hike. Steps along the Maunawili Demo Trail - photo by Amelia Abbett, who is now back at Penn State after her Christmas vacation at home here in Kailua. More photos from Amelia's adventure to come. Christmas Morning Bike Ride Slide Show. Choose BIG SCREEN or SMALL SCREEN Dawn Christmas Day 2005. Sunrise 12/23/05 in Kailua - press for the desktop photo. Ginger grows up near the Pali Lookout. Kane'ohe wakes up. I shot this off the H3 on the way to work Thursday morning December 15th at 7:45 a.m. HST. bath in sunlight is part of the Ko'olau mountain range. "Cool Mauka Cams" http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/cams / http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu / http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/ Older posts and pictures are now here - IRH Photos, Links and Stuff for your amusement. See this logo? This is an icon for Firefox, the new browser from Mozilla.org . It's free to try and a great way to replace Explorer. I encourage you to purchase an upgrade and support the project if you find it works for you. Somewhere over the rainbow... November 17th, 2003 we said Aloha to Ziggy, our beloved dog. The following Tuesday was very hard for me. Every time I walked through the kitchen ( where Zig lived under the table) or through the big room where she hung out sprawled across the cool tile floor, I missed her terribly. My friend is no where to be seen. I'm crushed. I am so very much alone. Ziggy passed on over the rainbow at around 1 pm HST Monday afternoon at home in her bed under the careful hands and watchful eyes of her vet, an assistant and yours truly. I held her head in my hands and told her how good she was and how much I loved her, over and over. Ziggy was an angel in the body of a female white shepherd who kidnapped all our hearts and quickly became a member of our family. She was 13. Strangely enough, after glancing through her records it appeared that our first visit to the Vet was on Christmas Eve, 1990 and she was listed as being six weeks old. So although I don't remember the date because I wasn't there, she was born right around this part of the month of November. Ziggy was one of the smartest animals I have ever known. She learned tricks and how to use dog doors with ease and loved to play ball! She could catch incredible bounces and when younger would play and chase the darn thing for hours on end. She was obedient to a fault. She would come over and console us when we were down and had an amazing smile that would brighten any gray day. She was a great guard dog but did not just go outside and bark for the sake of barking. She came on command, she came with hand signals, she came to me sometimes with just a thought. Ziggy was a bit annoyed by our recent construction and hated the thumping noises most. She'd often retreat to the quiet of the bathroom in the old house but, she greeted all the carpenters every day with a wag, a sniff and a lick. I'm so glad she got to enjoy the big new room downstairs. I'm sorry she wasn't capable of making it up the 14 steps to the new studio. She would have dug it. I swear, she liked Hawaiian music. I left a radio on all the time in the new bathroom downstairs and I caught her groovin' on more than one occassion. You could tell. It was that special look on her face. Sheer bliss. She really liked Gabby and would react with recognition whenever she heard me rattling on about something or doing a promo. Ziggy went over the rainbow with dignity and class and a full belly of her favorite rawhide treats, a freshly brushed coat of gleaming white fur and a flood of love from a several hour petting and hangin' out session we enjoyed Monday. We also played drop catch with the ball and she never missed, even through pretty heavy cataracts. Dr. Caspar, who she greeted by jumpin' up and wobblin' over to and then licking excitedly, said she also apparently was beginning to suffer liver malfunction as her belly was filled with liquid. That made me feel better about my decision and bad too because maybe I should have done something last week. It was, without a doubt, the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I agonized over it for the past couple months but finally, Monday with her condition deteriorating rapidly, I decided to call in the Vet. I did this for my dearest and very very best friend who was having real problems with advanced arthritis in her back legs and was hardly able to get around anymore. We exhausted all the heroics - pain pills, pain receptor inhibitors, powder and liquid glucosamines, steroids and prayers. Ziggy resting in the garage early Monday by her Big Water. My Mom and I talked Monday - (she is the dog queen and has a couple grand champions to her credit!) and she mentioned that there is a point where the human tends to go too far to keep the dog around. I didn't want to do that to her and as it turned out what with the liver disfunction and all I guess our timing was bless-ed. We love You Ziggy! We always will. We hope to play with you again one day on the other side of the rainbow.