Hawaii

Dec 18

(Click on a picture at the bottom to pull the full sized gallery up!)

January, 2006. We started our trip on the Big Island (actually Hawaii) where we spent three days. One of the reasons we went there is that Fabian is a geologist and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see one of the only places in the world where lava is flowing continually, yet unexplosively. This hiking out to the lava fields was the hardest I’ve ever experienced, even without a notable rise in elevation, because there was no way feet could cut a path through the everchanging glassy back rocks. This was espeically true coming back in the dark where you had to keep the flashlight aimed on your feet with each precarious step. It was probably more dangerous than I was expecting. At points the lava was literally popping out of the ground around us (see pictures) and I don’t think the guide was officially allowed to be taking us there. He was 21 though, probably thought he was invincible, and he could see he was with a very adventurous group! In any event, we got back safely and now have the memories. The next day after this we attempted to go to the summit of Moana Kea where the highest astronomical observatory in the world is located at 14,000 feet…this was something that I really wanted to do…but alas, there was a BLIZZARD and the road was closed after we got up to the ranger station. This “stormlover” was thwarted by a storm. Nevertheless, the drive up that far was facinating and beautiful over the volcanic landscape. The last day on the Big Island we drove up to the Waipio Valley. This is home to some of the island’s most beautiful black sand beaches and the “childhood home” to King Kamehameha, the guy who united Hawaii under one rule.

Then it was off to Oahu where we spend six days with Keith, an old friend from Seattle who is working as a firefighter on the North Shore. He was gracious and generous with his time off, which is a lot (firefighters have schedules much like flight attendants). We did so many things…took a trip around the eastern mountain range…Pearl Harbor tour…paddled on kayaks and an outrigger canoe…attempted surfing (I attempted, Fabian suceeded, Keith is nearly a pro) and watched guys practice for perhaps one of the biggest surfing contests in the world at Pipeline Beach. This last thing was the most memorable part of the trip along with the volcano excursion. The waves were fifteen to twenty feet high at Pipeline that afternoon. There were hundreds of spectators along the beach watching, some with video cameras. And on top of it all, the sunset was spectacular.

: Lava reflected on the clouds plus a little of Fabian’s slow shutter flashlight writing.

: Yeah, probably not a good place to park. The occasional lava flow is inconvenient.

: Fabian just takes too many risks. But at least he was wearing his 10,000 degree protective pants. I think he can still have kids.

: The side of Hawaii where the island is growing out to sea.

: The lava which just popped out of the ground on my left was so hot that I immediately had to jump out of the way the instant the camera took the picture so as not to burn my leg.

: Crack in the rock showing the magma below. When we poured water on the rocks it exploded! Don’t ask me why our shoes didn’t melt.

: This was our guide to the lava fields, responsible for one of the most memorable experiences of my life, by doing something I’m sure was against the safety rules. But hey, 20 year olds all thing they are immortal, right?

: Akaka Falls. The Big Island.

: Waipio Valley on northeast corner of the Big Island. The black sand beach here was the most beautiful ever.

: Now on the beach after the hike down the valley wall.

: This is just another shot in the Waipio Valley, but I’ve included it here as a kind of art shot. Love the rocks!

: The agricultural part of the Waipio Valley. This was the home of King Kamehameha, who united all of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

: Our next day’s adventure was to go to the world famous observatory on the top of Mauna Kea (in the background). We were thwarted by a blizzard though, believe it or not.

: This was the view looking down on the clouds from the road to Mauna Kea, just before we had to stop.

: Little islands off the east coast of Oahu as we flew there from the Big Island.

: These are those same islands, now from the perspective of a hike along a “mountain” range that runs nw to se along the east side of Oahu.

: Now down at the beach ;-))

: Surfing on Oahu. I’m the better swimmer, but Fabian can actually surf a bit. I was a total poser.

: Fabian on Waikiki with Daimondhead Crater in the background. He seemed a little less comfortable around so much civilization.

: Keith drove us around Oahu one day. This is some random point (I think in the northeast corner?).

: Fabian, Keith, myself. It feels good looking at this picture.

: Another random picture from our drive around Oahu. Not all days/moments in Hawaii are idyllic – the weather can get wild!

: Speaks for itself.

: Keith showing us around the workings of a firetruck.

: Keith gave us each one of his Honolulu Fireman T shirts (all of us the same size). Alas, mine was stolen by a cab driver two years later in Buenos Aires.

: This was taken at Pearl Harbor. Believe it or not, this oil on the surface is still leaking from the Arizona which sank here on December 7, 1941.

: People lined up at Pipeline Beach on the north shore of Oahu to watch the surfers. The waves in January are at their peak with all the stormy weather up in the north Pacific.