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Articles for January, 2008
The Mountain Naupaka of Hawaii
Posted: May 8, 2009
One of the more curious things to see along Hawaii’s trails are the odd “half-flowers” of mountain naupaka or “naupaka kuahiwi” in Hawaiian. While naupaka blossoms are not incomplete, they appear to be only half a flower because all the petals are on one side. So distinctive are these “half-flowers” that several Hawaiian legends exist that account for [...]
‘Ina – The Rock Boring Urchins of Hawaii
Posted: January 25, 2008
I love rock hopping along the coastline to look for rock boring urchins or ’ina in Hawaiian. As their name implies ‘ina have an astonishing ability to bore holes into solid rock. It never ceases to amaze me how these creatures can honeycomb a rock with innumerable holes and channels over the course of time.
Transformation of Koa Leaves
Posted: January 20, 2008
I love to explore the mesic forests of Hawaii to photograph koa trees and their distinctive foliage. Koa trees are unusual in that their leaves undergo a remarkable transformation as they grow from saplings into trees. It never ceases to amaze me when I see koa trees with two distinct forms of leaves growing on [...]
The Beach Ilima of Hawaii
Posted: January 15, 2008
I love to photograph beach ‘ilima which grows as ground cover no more than 6 inches high on the beaches of Hawaii. It crawls over the sand, carpets the landscape, and produces small yellow-orange flowers that add much charm to the sandy and coastal areas of the Hawaiian Islands.
Ha’uke’uke — Shingle Urchins of Hawaii
Posted: January 11, 2008
Shingle or helmet urchins, known as “ha’uke’uke kaupali” in Hawaiian, are some of the most unusual sea urchins to live in Hawaii. Except for a fringe of spines that extend around the perimeter of their shells, their spines have shrunk and flattened to form a plated dome to withstand the intense pounding of surf in the wave impact [...]
The Beach Naupaka of Hawaii
Posted: January 8, 2008
I love to photograph beach naupaka or “naupaka kahakai” in Hawaiian. Its distinctive light green foliage and unusual “half-flowers” add much character and ambiance to the beaches and coastal landscapes of Hawaii.
Pua Kala — The Native Poppy
Posted: January 4, 2008
Pua Kala can be found on the parched coastal plains and dry leeward mountain slopes of all the main Hawaiian Islands. Known as the prickly poppy for its sharp prickles and spines, Pua Kala is one of the few plants endemic to Hawaii that has both thorns and toxins.
Moli — The Laysan Albatross of Hawaii
Posted: January 2, 2008
Laysan Albatrosses or “Moli” in Hawaiian, are large sea birds with 6-foot wingspans that range over the North Pacific. They are strong fliers and can spend their entire lives in the air over the ocean — feeding and sleeping without ever landing on solid earth. They do however, need to return to the land to nest and raise [...]