the Happy Coconut » Oahu

Main Islands Of Hawaii…

Da Small Coconut — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:48:30 +0000

Hawai’i is made up of 8 main islands – Hawai’i, Maui, Oahu, Kaua’i, Molokai’i, Lana’i, Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe (The Southeastern Hawaiian islands). The chain of Northwestern Hawaiian islands lies beyond Kauai and Ni’ihau.

http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/NWHI_images/NWHI.jpg

Around Honolulu – Pictures of Familiar Places

Surfa Aunty — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:45:47 +0000

Ala Moana - Magic Island

Ala Moana Beach

Majestic Iolani Palce

Diamond Head / Waikiki

A View from Diamond Head Road

Surfa Aunty — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:15:29 +0000

: A View from Diamond Head Road, Honolulu

Walking on Diamond Head Road and stopping at one of the lookouts – peaceful, sunny day with the waves rolling in!

Sharks Cove Summer vs Winter Waves (videos)

Sushi Monster — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:03:15 +0000

If you and the kids want to explore tide pools to check out little fish, crabs and other creatures, Sharks Cove is good place to go (when it is calm). It features a huge tide pool shielded from waves by a natural outer rock wall making it ideal for kids. It’s also a pretty good area for snorkeling. I am not what you would call an avid snorkeler, but I do go from time to time. And of the easily accessible places besides Hanauma Bay, Sharks Cove offers a good snorkeling experience. It is certainly better than anything in Waikiki or other high traffic tourist areas.

This video was taken on December 2, 2009 in the morning a few hours before large winter swells arrived to the delight of surfers.

This video was produced by Hawaiian Outpost.

Don’t let this video deceive you. While it can be calm as show in the video, it can also be extremely dangerous with giant waves crashing over the outer wall. Here’s a video clip of the exact same cove on a day when the surf was huge.

“From Here to Eternity” Beach (video)

Sushi Monster — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:41:52 +0000

Remember that famous beach scene in the 1953 movie, “From Here to Eternity”? That scene was shot at Halona Cove Beach on Oahu. Halona Cove Beach is sometimes referred to as “Eternity Beach” because of that movie. Anyways, I’ve always wanted to visit that beach since I pass it every time I go to Makapuu, but never had the chance. Finally, yesterday I did! I also accidentally discovered how agility and balance are one of the first things to go as I get older. I almost ate it twice going down that rocky hill to the beach, bruising my finger, my butt, and my ego. But I made it! Here’s the HD video to prove it.

If you want to see what it looked like in the movie, here’s a clip I found on YouTube. If you look closely, you’ll see that it looks the same but different. Somehow the sand and rocks look a little different. Maybe the tide or sand levels were different at the time of filming. One thing is for sure. The movie peeps sure know how to make lying in sand after coming out of the water look fun! In real life, it feels pretty weird. Sand stuck to your wet feet is one thing. Sand stuck all over your body is quite another.

The Hawai’i State Flag – Current and “Original?”

Da Small Coconut — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:41:58 +0000

In 1816, Kamehameha the Great authorized the creation of the current Hawaiian Flag to represent the nation, Hawaii. Hawaii’s independence was challenged in 1843 by Lord Paulette but on July 31, 1843, Admiral Thomas was sent by Great Britain to officially restore and recognize Hawaii’s sovereignty and flag.

This was the birth of “Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘aina i ka pono,” as spoken by King Kamehameha III. Translated: The life of then land is perpetuated in righteousness. On May 1, 1959, this was adopted as the official motto of the State of Hawaii.

Kamehameha III officially re-commissioned and dedicated the Hawaiian Flag at the opening of the Kingdom’s Legislature on May 20, 1845.

So what exactly does the Hawaiian Flag represent?

The horizontal stripes represent the eight Islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Niihau, Big Island, Kahoolawe, Molokai and Lanai. The British Union Jack represents Hawaii’s historical relationship with Great Britian as its protectorate. It also represents a stylized puela (a triangular standard laying across two crossed spears called an alia) which is the symbol of the Hawaiian ali’i (hereditary chiefly or noble rank in traditional Hawaiian society) .

Current Hawaiian Flag

But what’s this I hear about the “Orginal” Hawaiian Flag?

Gene Simeona, of Honolulu, is said to have rediscovered the “original” Hawaiian Flag. This flag bears a kahili and two pointed paddle. According to Fonseca, Gene Simeona’s partner, the green in the flag represents the maka‘ainana (commoner) caste, the land and goodness; the red represents the landed konohiki who served the ali‘i, genealogy and strength; and the yellow represents the ali‘i, spirituality and alertness to danger.

This flag is said to have been destroyed by Lord Paulette in 1843.

Our Artist's rendition