"Tropical Fish Dump Prompts Outrage - More than 600 fish found dumped at harbor"
This tragic story was on the cover of our local newspaper, "West Hawaii Today". A photo of hundreds of dead yellow tangs, Zebrasoma flavescens, and other reef fish like butterfly fishes was just too shocking to see, and too hard to comprehend why.
I don't think the commercial fish collecting is a sustainable business unless it is strictly regulated and actively monitored.
As you can see here, professional fish collectors can easily catch a lot of them, and can be careless and irresponsible about the environment. It is infuriating as well as very sad to see the thing like this actually happened here. No wonder most of pretty reef fish around Kona hate divers and quickly hide.
Yellow tangs are usually the first to leave cleaning turtle when divers approach, so the shot like this is becoming an incredible event in the past. Due to the relentless yellow tang hunting, their DNA has already been altered to avoid humans at all cost. Pretty soon we'll only have gold-ring surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus, at turtle cleaning because they are abundant and friendly due to less or no hunting of the species as they are not nearly as popular as yellow tangs among aquarists.
endangered green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, being cleaned by yellow tang, Zebrasoma flavescens, gold-ring surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus, and endemic saddle wrasse, Thalassoma duperrey, Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Our reef fishes are disappearing fast due to the persistent, thoughtless fish collecting. It's a fact that any diver or snorkeler can see and confirm. Have you notice how timid and shy our reef fishes are when you approach compared to else where? They are afraid of you. Have you notice how little reef fish we have around Kona when compared to a protected area such as the Kealakekua Bay or compared to reefs on other Islands like Maui or Oahu?
Even very fist time I dove around Kona more than a decade ago, I noticed the small amount of fish as well as their timidity and diffidence. "Why there is no fish in this pretty coral reef?" "Why fish is so afraid of me?" Those are the very first questions I asked my dive operator back then, and nothing has changed or even addressed until today.
endangered green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, being cleaned by yellow tang, Zebrasoma flavescens, and gold-ring surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus, Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
We have a thriving scuba diving industry, and Kona is usually ranked pretty high among the best dive destinations in the world. It's a shame that the goverment and we cannot stop such devastating, anti-environmental business activity. I think it's time to ban the unsustainable fish collecting activity before our fish really extinct from this precious and unique Hawaiian coral reef.
Existence of a lot more colorful, friendly reef fish should promote healthy reefs and benefit everybody. Eventually the abundance of pretty reef fish will raise more big fish and drive more fishermen, divers and snorkelers to this island. I thought we learned the lessen from the past like whale watching makes more sense than whale hunting.
Why don't we develop and promote a new sustainable business to raise pretty aquarium fish like yellow tangs in a fish farm at NELHA (Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority? We can even replenish the reef after we raise enough for aquarists. That'll be a win-win situation. No brainer, don't you think?
Very sad day in Kona...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Inquisitive and Curious - Wyland's Humpback Whale
On Christmas Day Eve, I had an opportunity to take Wyland out for a whale watching trip at the end of the year. Wyland is perhaps the most successful marine life artist of our generation. His whaling wall paintings are certainly impressive. We've been connected via the love of the ocean as well as the Ocean Artists Society (me as a selected member). Anyway he seems to bring me a good luck everytime we go out together. Last time we found a huge floating net and caught 4 mahi mahi and bunch of rainbow runners. That doesn't happen often around here.
Humpback whale season was still early and activity level was fairly low on that day, despite the ocean and the weather conditions were near perfect. As we were drifting to observe some "lazy"whale activities in the distance hoping for a breach, we noticed enormous shades of black & white nearby surface of the water over gunwale. It was a humpback whale sitting right under our boat! The sonar showed a huge red patch located at about 60 feet directly below the boat. Wow! How this happened? I don't know. Wyland's good karma? Maybe.
humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
The inquisitive whale stayed under there another 10 minutes or so checking us out thoroughly. The whale seemed to be a young, small whale - somewhat skinny looking, but healthy and full of energy. She had a pair of extra long white pectoral fins to complement her slender blackish body. A beautiful whale. As she fulfilled her curiosity, she gracefully moved away and disappeared into the deep blue ocean.
After that, everything got quiet again, and stayed that way until we decided to leave for the day. As we moved toward the harbor, Wyland spotted a breaching whale in the distance. It was quite far from where we were but the whale kept breaching again and again, so we couldn't resist to go see it!
humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, head-lunging breach, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Most of the time like this situation, it'll be all done by the time I arrive at the scene. However, this time, we somehow made it there in time before she quit breaching. Luckily we were able to witness and photograph a few spectacular head-lunging breach sequences.
It was almost late afternoon. The swell was increasingly getting big, and made it difficult to shoot the breaching whale. But, those huge swell made these pictures more spectacular because we were able to shoot up from the bottom of the big swell as the whale was breaching out from the top of the swell. The resulting breaching pictures looked like they were shot from the water level or even below the water level! Technically I WAS below the water level!
Humpback whale season was still early and activity level was fairly low on that day, despite the ocean and the weather conditions were near perfect. As we were drifting to observe some "lazy"whale activities in the distance hoping for a breach, we noticed enormous shades of black & white nearby surface of the water over gunwale. It was a humpback whale sitting right under our boat! The sonar showed a huge red patch located at about 60 feet directly below the boat. Wow! How this happened? I don't know. Wyland's good karma? Maybe.
humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
The inquisitive whale stayed under there another 10 minutes or so checking us out thoroughly. The whale seemed to be a young, small whale - somewhat skinny looking, but healthy and full of energy. She had a pair of extra long white pectoral fins to complement her slender blackish body. A beautiful whale. As she fulfilled her curiosity, she gracefully moved away and disappeared into the deep blue ocean.
After that, everything got quiet again, and stayed that way until we decided to leave for the day. As we moved toward the harbor, Wyland spotted a breaching whale in the distance. It was quite far from where we were but the whale kept breaching again and again, so we couldn't resist to go see it!
humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, head-lunging breach, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Most of the time like this situation, it'll be all done by the time I arrive at the scene. However, this time, we somehow made it there in time before she quit breaching. Luckily we were able to witness and photograph a few spectacular head-lunging breach sequences.
It was almost late afternoon. The swell was increasingly getting big, and made it difficult to shoot the breaching whale. But, those huge swell made these pictures more spectacular because we were able to shoot up from the bottom of the big swell as the whale was breaching out from the top of the swell. The resulting breaching pictures looked like they were shot from the water level or even below the water level! Technically I WAS below the water level!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Shibi - Yellowfin Tuna or Bigeye Tuna?
Can you tell the difference between a juvenile yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, and a juvenile bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus?
I've been a fishing enthusiast but for a long time I've had trouble in identifying each of them properly when I took pictures of them. Hawaiian and Japanese fishermen call both juveniles as "shibi", and usually are careless about which. I've been the same way, too.
On the other day, I had an opportunity to compare the two species of similar size. I caught both species on the same day. By comparing them side by side, the difference was obvious.
juvenile yellowfin tunas are called, shibi in Hawaii and Japan, consisting of two differenct species of tunas - yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (above), and bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus (bottom), note the differences that bigeye tuna has larger eyes, longer pectoral fins and more robust body, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
The most obvious difference was the pectoral fins. The bigeye tuna has a lot longer pec fin than the yellowfin, passing the dorsal and almost reaching the anal fin. Its body shape is naturally much more robust - looks a lot fatter than the yellowfin's. In addition, the eye of the bigeye tuna was apparently larger relative to the size of the body and head, which explains the origin of the common name of the species.
I always thought the bigeye tuna tastesd better because it looked fatter! Maybe that's not true after all. In any case, they are fabulously good eat. If you are catching one, make sure to take time and bleed them well. It'll make a huge difference at dinner table.
I've been a fishing enthusiast but for a long time I've had trouble in identifying each of them properly when I took pictures of them. Hawaiian and Japanese fishermen call both juveniles as "shibi", and usually are careless about which. I've been the same way, too.
On the other day, I had an opportunity to compare the two species of similar size. I caught both species on the same day. By comparing them side by side, the difference was obvious.
juvenile yellowfin tunas are called, shibi in Hawaii and Japan, consisting of two differenct species of tunas - yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (above), and bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus (bottom), note the differences that bigeye tuna has larger eyes, longer pectoral fins and more robust body, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
The most obvious difference was the pectoral fins. The bigeye tuna has a lot longer pec fin than the yellowfin, passing the dorsal and almost reaching the anal fin. Its body shape is naturally much more robust - looks a lot fatter than the yellowfin's. In addition, the eye of the bigeye tuna was apparently larger relative to the size of the body and head, which explains the origin of the common name of the species.
I always thought the bigeye tuna tastesd better because it looked fatter! Maybe that's not true after all. In any case, they are fabulously good eat. If you are catching one, make sure to take time and bleed them well. It'll make a huge difference at dinner table.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Spotted Dolphin Sunset Play
I was in a hurry trying to get home before the sun set, so that I can wash my boat under daylight!. A small dolphin suddenly showed up leaping toward the bright sun. And then, another one, and another... Pretty soon I was surrounded by hundreds of pantropical spotted dolphins, Stenella attenuata.
pantropical spotted dolphins, Stenella attenuata, juveniles and baby, doing synchronized jumping out of boat wake at senset, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
They seemed very excited about the arrival of my boat and welcomed me by bow-riding, wake-riding, and showing off their signature high leaps against golden sun. What a beautiful moment. I couldn't resist taking my camera out of the Pelican case and started shooting them as everything glow under purple-orange light. Sunset golden hour. It was totally worth my effort of washing the boat in the dark later on ;-)
pantropical spotted dolphins, Stenella attenuata, juveniles and baby, doing synchronized jumping out of boat wake at senset, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
They seemed very excited about the arrival of my boat and welcomed me by bow-riding, wake-riding, and showing off their signature high leaps against golden sun. What a beautiful moment. I couldn't resist taking my camera out of the Pelican case and started shooting them as everything glow under purple-orange light. Sunset golden hour. It was totally worth my effort of washing the boat in the dark later on ;-)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunset Spinning Spinner Dolphins - Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Hawaiian spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris longirostris, are regular residents of Kona, Big Island of Hawaii. They sleep during the day, and then, at around sunset, they wake up and go out for overnight hunting. Interesting thing is that just before the sun set, they must do these spectacular rituals: "sunset spin-jumps" on their way to the offshore hunting ground.
In Kona, most of the time, the sunset is gorgeous, so this everyday event of these resident spinner dolphins is pretty surreal and awesome to witness. Photographing them are totally another story, though.
Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, jumping at sunset, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Shooting sunset spinners is perhaps one of the most difficult photo-shoots that I do in regular basis. The shooting is not life-threatening like shark or whale shootings, but their jumps are lightening-quick, and the locations and timings of their jumps are very much unpredictable. Also my eyes are often blinded by the glorious golden sunlight coming through my viewfinder when I shoot against the sun. In such situations, I can only rely on my reflex, concentration and on my camera's performance. It is very difficult to even get a shot in focus! Well... that's ok. If it's easy, I would be out of business, right? Despite such extreme difficulties, I've got some lucky shots of the sunset spinner dolphins this time!
You can check out more sunset spinner shots by entering both keywords in search box: spinner sunset.
In Kona, most of the time, the sunset is gorgeous, so this everyday event of these resident spinner dolphins is pretty surreal and awesome to witness. Photographing them are totally another story, though.
Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, jumping at sunset, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Shooting sunset spinners is perhaps one of the most difficult photo-shoots that I do in regular basis. The shooting is not life-threatening like shark or whale shootings, but their jumps are lightening-quick, and the locations and timings of their jumps are very much unpredictable. Also my eyes are often blinded by the glorious golden sunlight coming through my viewfinder when I shoot against the sun. In such situations, I can only rely on my reflex, concentration and on my camera's performance. It is very difficult to even get a shot in focus! Well... that's ok. If it's easy, I would be out of business, right? Despite such extreme difficulties, I've got some lucky shots of the sunset spinner dolphins this time!
You can check out more sunset spinner shots by entering both keywords in search box: spinner sunset.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Big Blue! - The Giant Blue Shark of Hawaii
For the first time in Hawaii, I've got a good opportunity to work with a blue shark, Prionace glauca, underwater for a long period of time. "Blue Shark, in Hawaii?" Yes, it is very rare to see a blue shark around Hawaiian water as the shark normally prefers a lot colder water like California Coast. As a matter of fact, this was the second time I've even seen one in over a decade of boating in Hawaii. Last time I saw, it didn't stick around and I had no chance of interacting with it.
The water temperature was actually quite warm that day. I should say it was unusually warm for Hawaii, so the encounter was very much unexpected and was a huge surprise, but in a good way.
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
It was a big female blue shark. At least, she was 10 foot long. I quickly rigged my camera and slipped into the water with caution. I knew that a shark of this size usually do not afraid of anything. As anticipated, she swam straight at me and bumped into my dome port. Not just once. Twice or three times in a row. She was aggressive. Persistently she tried to bite my metal housing and Yamaha outboard engines as those metal parts fooled her sensors (photo tip: you should have a shiny metal housing to attract sharks! Acrylic housings won't do!).
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Haven't seen many aggressive sharks as much as this one since I dove with a 14 foot tiger shark in Bahamas, so I've got a little scared about the situation. She was overly pushy and hostile. I really felt a danger of getting bitten. I was ducking, swaying, jumping underwater as she tried to check me out from various directions. I had to fend off her using my underwater camera several times. However, the adrenaline was pumping into my body & brain, at the same time, I was exhilarated. Shark shooting is fun! It can be extremely dangerous, but brings me such excitement and thrills that cannot be replaced by anything else. It's an extreme sport.
She was one of a kind. Pointy noese, long slender but streamlined body with huge black eyes. The color of the blue was very difficult to see from the pictures, but the color has absolutely gorgeous... hues of blue with silver sparkles over it... I should say the color is like "metallic blue" from light to dark on the top surface of the body. Along with that vivid blue, brilliant golden color runs both side of the body. The belly side is almost pure white that competes the perfect countershading pattern. The blues, silvers and golds was glittering as the sunlight hit her body. Very shiny. Breathtakingly beautiful.
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Definitely she was the largest blue shark I've ever encountered to this day. Sadly in California, nowadays it's rare to see a big one like this due to relentless Mexican shark fishery that has been killing blue and mako sharks of all sizes by thousands each year.
While I was having great times of my life with this perfect shark, my buddy, Sue, was screaming at me from the boat, "Masa, get out of the water! You'd better think about your newborn son & wife!". Yeah, I guess she was right. But since it was such a rare opportunity, I invited Sue to join me in the water with the shark, besides, I needed a human body to show the size of the shark comparatively in my pictures. Well, she sincerely declined my invitation. As I was having a conversation with Sue, the shark seemed to have enough of me and slowly swam away into the deep Pacific blue water.
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Although the shark left a heck of a lot of scratches and teeth marks on my precious dome port, somehow I was able to grab some decent shots. As you can see, they look different from those pictures took in California. First of all the color of the water makes a huge difference. In California, it's usually green or greenish blue. Sometimes it gets really blue but most likely very heavy and dark, not like clear Hawaiian blue - bright and pleasant.
I'm very happy with the pictures I've got out of this super exciting, extreme encounter. I was also happy with the fact that I survived to see my family again. Definitely feels good to be alive and see the result of my effort!
The water temperature was actually quite warm that day. I should say it was unusually warm for Hawaii, so the encounter was very much unexpected and was a huge surprise, but in a good way.
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
It was a big female blue shark. At least, she was 10 foot long. I quickly rigged my camera and slipped into the water with caution. I knew that a shark of this size usually do not afraid of anything. As anticipated, she swam straight at me and bumped into my dome port. Not just once. Twice or three times in a row. She was aggressive. Persistently she tried to bite my metal housing and Yamaha outboard engines as those metal parts fooled her sensors (photo tip: you should have a shiny metal housing to attract sharks! Acrylic housings won't do!).
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Haven't seen many aggressive sharks as much as this one since I dove with a 14 foot tiger shark in Bahamas, so I've got a little scared about the situation. She was overly pushy and hostile. I really felt a danger of getting bitten. I was ducking, swaying, jumping underwater as she tried to check me out from various directions. I had to fend off her using my underwater camera several times. However, the adrenaline was pumping into my body & brain, at the same time, I was exhilarated. Shark shooting is fun! It can be extremely dangerous, but brings me such excitement and thrills that cannot be replaced by anything else. It's an extreme sport.
She was one of a kind. Pointy noese, long slender but streamlined body with huge black eyes. The color of the blue was very difficult to see from the pictures, but the color has absolutely gorgeous... hues of blue with silver sparkles over it... I should say the color is like "metallic blue" from light to dark on the top surface of the body. Along with that vivid blue, brilliant golden color runs both side of the body. The belly side is almost pure white that competes the perfect countershading pattern. The blues, silvers and golds was glittering as the sunlight hit her body. Very shiny. Breathtakingly beautiful.
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Definitely she was the largest blue shark I've ever encountered to this day. Sadly in California, nowadays it's rare to see a big one like this due to relentless Mexican shark fishery that has been killing blue and mako sharks of all sizes by thousands each year.
While I was having great times of my life with this perfect shark, my buddy, Sue, was screaming at me from the boat, "Masa, get out of the water! You'd better think about your newborn son & wife!". Yeah, I guess she was right. But since it was such a rare opportunity, I invited Sue to join me in the water with the shark, besides, I needed a human body to show the size of the shark comparatively in my pictures. Well, she sincerely declined my invitation. As I was having a conversation with Sue, the shark seemed to have enough of me and slowly swam away into the deep Pacific blue water.
blue shark, Prionace glauca, large female, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific Ocean
Although the shark left a heck of a lot of scratches and teeth marks on my precious dome port, somehow I was able to grab some decent shots. As you can see, they look different from those pictures took in California. First of all the color of the water makes a huge difference. In California, it's usually green or greenish blue. Sometimes it gets really blue but most likely very heavy and dark, not like clear Hawaiian blue - bright and pleasant.
I'm very happy with the pictures I've got out of this super exciting, extreme encounter. I was also happy with the fact that I survived to see my family again. Definitely feels good to be alive and see the result of my effort!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
New Pictures 0910 Stock Photo Gallery - Be the First to Publish!
I processed some old files from Tampa spearfishing trip as per client's request. I never knew the hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus, could get that big, and such a great eating! I was seasick most of the trip but was able to have good time with buddies of mine in Florida. More details are posted here: Spearfishing in Pristine Coral Reef of Gulf of Mexico.
* Please note that all recognizable people in this batch are model released. A copy of release is available upon request. Please also note that all spearfishing pictures are not available for any uses that promote anti-spearfishing campaign. They are buddies of mine who enjoy the activity very much. Thanks for understanding ;-)
New Pictures 0910 Stock Photo Gallery - New Images by Masa Ushioda
Added a few more pictures of that beautiful pregnant spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari. See this post for more info: Spotted Eagle Ray - The Most Beautiful Thing I've Ever Seen!
Then, from Hawaii, I processed some scenic pictures for editorial market - Kealakekua Bay, the original King Kamehameha the Great statue, Pololu Valley lookout, and Kiholo Bay with Haleakala of Maui. For behind-the-scene stories for those Hawaii's scenic pictures, please look these posts respectively: Kiholo Bay and Haleakala of Maui - Going around the Big Island Part I, The Original King Kmehameha the Great Statue - Going around the Big Island Part IV, Pololu Valley Lookout - Going around the Big Island Part V.
Some clients are even surprised to see those landscape pictures from me, and the fact that I actually care to shoot such subjects ;-) I like to shoot landscapes and other subjects as I travel in order to illustrate the trips. Although it's not as exciting as shooting big whales and sharks, it is rewarding to nail a stunning landscape shot when all the correct settings... light, air, clouds, sun, wind, equipment... are dialed in precisely as I wish.
I've been working on these Big Island scenery pictures as per client's request. So, more landscape pictures are on their way out onto the market in the near future. They are freshly shot, never-been-published, brand new pictures, showing the current state of the locations or objects. I hope you can find some pictures useful for your upcoming Hawaii book projects or magazine features.
Please contact me for any specific Hawaii subjects or locations. I may have some shots in my pile of pictures, or I'll go shoot them for you.
Finally I've got some Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris longirostris, sunset shots. The shoot was very hard, but I've got some lucky ones! Please see this post for more info: Sunset Spinning Spinner Dolphins - Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins.
* Please note that all recognizable people in this batch are model released. A copy of release is available upon request. Please also note that all spearfishing pictures are not available for any uses that promote anti-spearfishing campaign. They are buddies of mine who enjoy the activity very much. Thanks for understanding ;-)
New Pictures 0910 Stock Photo Gallery - New Images by Masa Ushioda
Added a few more pictures of that beautiful pregnant spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari. See this post for more info: Spotted Eagle Ray - The Most Beautiful Thing I've Ever Seen!
Then, from Hawaii, I processed some scenic pictures for editorial market - Kealakekua Bay, the original King Kamehameha the Great statue, Pololu Valley lookout, and Kiholo Bay with Haleakala of Maui. For behind-the-scene stories for those Hawaii's scenic pictures, please look these posts respectively: Kiholo Bay and Haleakala of Maui - Going around the Big Island Part I, The Original King Kmehameha the Great Statue - Going around the Big Island Part IV, Pololu Valley Lookout - Going around the Big Island Part V.
Some clients are even surprised to see those landscape pictures from me, and the fact that I actually care to shoot such subjects ;-) I like to shoot landscapes and other subjects as I travel in order to illustrate the trips. Although it's not as exciting as shooting big whales and sharks, it is rewarding to nail a stunning landscape shot when all the correct settings... light, air, clouds, sun, wind, equipment... are dialed in precisely as I wish.
I've been working on these Big Island scenery pictures as per client's request. So, more landscape pictures are on their way out onto the market in the near future. They are freshly shot, never-been-published, brand new pictures, showing the current state of the locations or objects. I hope you can find some pictures useful for your upcoming Hawaii book projects or magazine features.
Please contact me for any specific Hawaii subjects or locations. I may have some shots in my pile of pictures, or I'll go shoot them for you.
Finally I've got some Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris longirostris, sunset shots. The shoot was very hard, but I've got some lucky ones! Please see this post for more info: Sunset Spinning Spinner Dolphins - Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Negative Ions of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Going around the Big Island Part VIII
We knew nothing much was going on at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at moment since the series of explosions at Halemaumau Crater in March of 2008, but decided to stop by for our friend who has never visited the park. Those explosions in 2008 shot up tons of rocks and debris all over the part of the Crater Rim Drive and destroyed the man-made, Halemaumau Overlook inside Kilauea Caldera.
rainbow over actively erupting Halemaumau Crater, releasing vog - volcanic gas, Kilauea Caldera, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
The vog (volcanic gas) wasn't impressively coming out from the live vent of the Halemaumau Crater, but luckily a thin layer of rain clouds created a complete rainbow over the Kilauea Caldera, making the somewhat boring landscape more interesting and pretty to photograph. The rainbow didn't stay long, and so didn't we.
Hawaiian tree fern or hapuu, Cibotium glaucum, and Ohia Lehuna tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, tropical rainforest, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Next we drove to one of my favorite sites in the park, Thurston Lava Tube. No matter how many times I visit there, I get impressed by Hawaii's own pristine, native rainforest - Hawaiian fern tree and Ohia Lehuna tree jungle. The rainforest is incredibly beautiful.
The healthy ever-green plants create the oxygen rich air that is mixed with rain mists and drops, releasing tons of negative ions in the atmosphere. Just approaching to the site starts to make me feel good by releasing more oxygen into my brain.
Negaitve ions are like natural drugs that make you feel better. Negative ions have been a big topic in Japan for decades, but not so much here in the United States. According to WebMD, They "are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy." I totally agree.
Don't you feel better when you go outside in your backyard when rains? I do. So visiting the Thurston Lava Tube is like a natural therapy that activates my brain and boost my energy tremendously. Even the lava tube itself is filled with the negative ions and oxygen rich air, so by reaching the end of the tunnel, I'm like naturally super HIGH.
OK. I admit. I'm addicted to all that. I'm a negative ion junkie. That's true.
On this day there were misty rains that filled the woods. The atmosphere was incredible. I was exhilarated just being there among trees. What a wonderful experience that is, and I cannot get enough!
rainbow over actively erupting Halemaumau Crater, releasing vog - volcanic gas, Kilauea Caldera, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
The vog (volcanic gas) wasn't impressively coming out from the live vent of the Halemaumau Crater, but luckily a thin layer of rain clouds created a complete rainbow over the Kilauea Caldera, making the somewhat boring landscape more interesting and pretty to photograph. The rainbow didn't stay long, and so didn't we.
Hawaiian tree fern or hapuu, Cibotium glaucum, and Ohia Lehuna tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, tropical rainforest, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Next we drove to one of my favorite sites in the park, Thurston Lava Tube. No matter how many times I visit there, I get impressed by Hawaii's own pristine, native rainforest - Hawaiian fern tree and Ohia Lehuna tree jungle. The rainforest is incredibly beautiful.
The healthy ever-green plants create the oxygen rich air that is mixed with rain mists and drops, releasing tons of negative ions in the atmosphere. Just approaching to the site starts to make me feel good by releasing more oxygen into my brain.
Negaitve ions are like natural drugs that make you feel better. Negative ions have been a big topic in Japan for decades, but not so much here in the United States. According to WebMD, They "are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy." I totally agree.
Don't you feel better when you go outside in your backyard when rains? I do. So visiting the Thurston Lava Tube is like a natural therapy that activates my brain and boost my energy tremendously. Even the lava tube itself is filled with the negative ions and oxygen rich air, so by reaching the end of the tunnel, I'm like naturally super HIGH.
OK. I admit. I'm addicted to all that. I'm a negative ion junkie. That's true.
On this day there were misty rains that filled the woods. The atmosphere was incredible. I was exhilarated just being there among trees. What a wonderful experience that is, and I cannot get enough!
Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Kulaniapia Falls - A Hidden Treasure of the Island
Going around the Big Island Part VII
We had no time checking out the Kulaniapia Falls yesterday as we had to leave for the Kalapana lava ocean entry. Today we had plenty of time to spend here with this pretty but impressive waterfalls. I wanted to swim into the waterfall basin like those guys in Lost, but unfortunately it started raining and also found out that the water was quite chilly, so I gave up on the idea. It may have been full of leeches, too, but I regretted later.
The Kulaniapia Falls is perhaps one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is not huge or famous like Akaka Falls or Hiilawe Falls of Waipio Valley, but this private waterfall still has impressive height and the amount of water. What makes this waterfall special is that it is surrounded by the very pretty tropical rainforest - palm trees, bamboos, and other exotic plants, that are pruned regularly and neatly by the owner of the place.
woman tourists visiting Kulaniapia Falls, tropical rainforest jungle, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Model Released - MR#: 000102, 000103
The Kulaniapia Falls is perhaps one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is not huge or famous like Akaka Falls or Hiilawe Falls of Waipio Valley, but this private waterfall still has impressive height and the amount of water. What makes this waterfall special is that it is surrounded by the very pretty tropical rainforest - palm trees, bamboos, and other exotic plants, that are pruned regularly and neatly by the owner of the place.
Kulaniapia Falls, tropical rainforest jungle, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Kulaniapia Falls, tropical rainforest jungle, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Glowing Lava - Ocean Entry at Kalapana of Puna
Going around the Big Island Part VI
After the Pololu Valley Lookout, we were gonna go to Merriman's Waimea restaurant (our favorite!) for lunch, and then, Waipio Valley Lookout, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, etc, etc. We realized that we were running fairly late, so we called the restaurant and found that their lunch time was over. Extremely disappointed but we were able to get some decent lunch at a local's favorite. the Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi. Yum!
After the long, beer-drinking lunch hour, we decided to skip the rest of the sites and went straight to Hilo as we were afraid of missing the main event - witnessing the creation of new land - the glowing lava ocean entry at Kalapana in Puna area. We drove through the Kohala Mountain Road - one of the prettiest road to drive, and arrived at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls in Hilo, our special place to stay overnight.
As we knew we were running late for that, we quickly checked in, repacked our camera gears lightly and headed to Kalapana. We wanted to explore the pretty Puna sites but we had no time for that as the sun was about to set.
By the time we got to the Kalapana, the sun was already gone. But I quickly set up my camera gears and was able to shoot a few pictures with daylight background. The enormous steam clouds, the sound of waves and explosion, and the glowing red light of the molten lava... surreal and awe-inspiring as well as humbling.
After the long, beer-drinking lunch hour, we decided to skip the rest of the sites and went straight to Hilo as we were afraid of missing the main event - witnessing the creation of new land - the glowing lava ocean entry at Kalapana in Puna area. We drove through the Kohala Mountain Road - one of the prettiest road to drive, and arrived at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls in Hilo, our special place to stay overnight.
As we knew we were running late for that, we quickly checked in, repacked our camera gears lightly and headed to Kalapana. We wanted to explore the pretty Puna sites but we had no time for that as the sun was about to set.
By the time we got to the Kalapana, the sun was already gone. But I quickly set up my camera gears and was able to shoot a few pictures with daylight background. The enormous steam clouds, the sound of waves and explosion, and the glowing red light of the molten lava... surreal and awe-inspiring as well as humbling.
molten lava entering Pacific Ocean at Kalapana, creating hydromagnetic explosions and massive steam clouds, Puna, Big Island, Hawaii
Pololu Valley Lookout
Going around the Big Island Part V
After we passed the Upolu point - the North Point of the Big Island, the dry, brown grass scenery of the leeward side changes to the beautiful greenery of wet, windward side of the island. We drove around the point and passed the sleepy little towns of Hawi, and then, passed the original King Kamehameha the Great statue in Kapaau. We were now completely surrounded by jungle - the tropical rainforest. This is one of the most pretty roads to drive through on the Big Island.
At the end of the winding road, we got to Pololu Valley Lookout, a scenic point that you shouldn't miss. Parking and growing trees and bushes made photographing the scenery difficult, but still the scenery was quite pretty to look at.
I've hiked down to the valley and the beach below sometime ago with heavy camera equipment, and shot many pictures of the wet land, but have never had an opportunity to process any of the pictures I took there to this date. The valley, waterfalls, marsh land, woods, and rocky beaches, cliffs and bluffs... all looked beautiful and impressive as well as very wild and pristine. If anybody is interested in publishing these shots from the valley, please let me know and I'll dig in my piles.
Pololu Beach, Pololu Valley, North Kohala, Big Island, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean
At the end of the winding road, we got to Pololu Valley Lookout, a scenic point that you shouldn't miss. Parking and growing trees and bushes made photographing the scenery difficult, but still the scenery was quite pretty to look at.
I've hiked down to the valley and the beach below sometime ago with heavy camera equipment, and shot many pictures of the wet land, but have never had an opportunity to process any of the pictures I took there to this date. The valley, waterfalls, marsh land, woods, and rocky beaches, cliffs and bluffs... all looked beautiful and impressive as well as very wild and pristine. If anybody is interested in publishing these shots from the valley, please let me know and I'll dig in my piles.
Pololu Beach, Pololu Valley, North Kohala, Big Island, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean
The Original King Kamehameha the Great Statue
Going around the Big Island Part IV
The next town after the Upolu Point of Hawi is kapaau. Kapaau is a very nice little town having some good ice cream, coffee shops and nice restaurants. But the most famous thing is the original cast of the King Kamehameha the Great statue. It looks very impressive if you actually see it at the site. I will come back here on King Kamehameha Day (June 11th) as the statue will be heavily decorated with flowers, etc. Never been to but seen the cool looking King statue on some local publications before.
the original cast of the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, Kapaau, Kohala, Big Island, Hawaii
the original cast of the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, Kapaau, Kohala, Big Island, Hawaii
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