Hawaii Trip - Orchid Board

Sun rm.N.E. · #1 02-08-2009, 11:04 PM

My daughters and I took a lot of pictures on our trip to Hawaii. I would like to share some that might be interesting to others.

First photo is taken at what is said to be the southernmost point of the US so the next continent South is Antarctica. The water is clear enough to see the coral reef and fish.

Second one is a native Hawaiian hibiscus with lovely fragrance

Third is a native Pandanus tree (yes, one of our houseplants) in a botanical garden in Captain Cook

Fourth is the flower of the Cannon ball tree. The interesting structure that looks like a sea anemone contains sterile pollen that bees forage while they pick up the fertile pollen below on their bodies and carry to the next flower.

The fifth and sixth are photos of the trunk of the Cannon ball tree showing the hard balls and the flower. The tree is well over 100 ft.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #2 02-08-2009, 11:28 PM

Those are wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing them. It sounds like the trip was a lot of fun. I have yet to go to Hawaii... one of these days.

isurus79 · #3 02-09-2009, 12:42 AM

Great pics! Your first pic is South Point, one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Hawaii! Did you get to jump off the cliff?? The water there is more clear than anyother place on earth IMO. One time a momma whale and her calf swam so close to the cliff I could have jumped on them and it is one of the only places on earth you can catch tuna, sailfish and marlin from shore. The Big Island is awesome!!

greenbean · #4 02-09-2009, 03:13 AM

First, awesome pics from Hawaii, Maria. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, even if it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to hear back from you.

Just kidding. A fantastic trip to a place like Hawaii is a very acceptable reason to be unreachable for a while. I'd like to get out of touch there myself one of these days!!!

Second, cool info on Southpoint, Isurus, but I'm afraid that the world's clearest water is located in Crater Lake, Oregon. It's entirely fed by snowmelt. It's actually been studied extensively for its clarity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by isurus79

Great pics! Your first pic is South Point, one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Hawaii! Did you get to jump off the cliff?? The water there is more clear than anyother place on earth IMO. One time a momma whale and her calf swam so close to the cliff I could have jumped on them and it is one of the only places on earth you can catch tuna, sailfish and marlin from shore. The Big Island is awesome!!

isurus79 · #5 02-09-2009, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean

Second, cool info on Southpoint, Isurus, but I'm afraid that the world's clearest water is located in Crater Lake, Oregon. It's entirely fed by snowmelt. It's actually been studied extensively for its clarity.

Ya, but it sounds freakin cold!!! I dont know that I wanna snorkel in snowmelt!!!

Sun rm.N.E. · #6 02-09-2009, 11:20 AM

First, I want everyone to know that Steve just advised me to jump off a 40 ft. cliff at the end of our known world. I was told by natives not to do that until I read the guidebook to Antarctica. One of their macho kings disappeared in the strong current and they could not hang on to their boats for long so they learned to tie them to the shore in various ways when fishing. You can hear the wind in this video.

YouTube - NICK's BABY BLUE at SOUTH POINT CLIFF JUMP

Steve, you lucky pup, less then 2 hours from the Big Island. The wale sighting at South Point must have been thrilling. We saw a lot of fish just from the cliff the water is so clear. Also saw a few flukes and spouts in the distance. It is a very strange place before sunset. Thanks so much for your strong endorsement of the Island. We stayed in a condo right across from Kahalu'u Beach. I have never seen such tame wildlife. Sometimes you bump into turtles coming in and out. It was also close to half a dozen other snorkeling sites South and North and Hapuna, which was like a lake every time we visited.

Evan, yes , most people who want to visit Hawaii eventually do so. And, of course, there are also a few research grants.

Tindomul · #7 02-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Hi,

Loved Hawaii when I went last April. OMG so nice.
I have the name for your Hibiscus,
Hibiscus arnottianus and the second is Hibiscus brakenridgeii
I took this pic of it when there.

Swamper · #8 02-09-2009, 03:58 PM

wow, nice pics and great video. Definately one place Id love to go visit.

lostonthebeach · #9 02-09-2009, 04:28 PM

Beautiful !!
It is certainly on my list of places I want to visit.

camille1585 · #10 02-09-2009, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the pics, I love Hawaii! Seems like you had a really awesome time. The cannonball and sausage tree is so neat, it's not hard to see how it got it's name. I went there 3 times, and the last time I went I was only 13 years old so I don't think I appeciated as much as I would if I went again now. I would really love to go again.

The scuba diving there was amazing! The fish are so colorful and I saw many many sea turtles, some manta rays and a large group of whitetip reef sharks. Kinda spooky being so close to so many sharks though.