calm before the storms
calm before the storms, moloa'a bay, kauai, hawaii
With two hurricanes heading toward the state-- Iselle expected to hit the big island this afternoon and Julio expected sometime sunday-- i went to my local spot at moloa'a bay and found calm before the storms.
wings, moloa'a bay, kauai, hawaii
The mini is filled with gas and there's a little over half a tank in the fj. Headlamps are charged and candles are ready. All of our water bottles and glass jars are filled with water and waiting in the fridge. Naomi is baking several loaves of bread today, and we harvested bananas and mangos after taking these pictures this morning. Camping supplies are organized and so is the first aid kit. We're prepared and hoping for the best.
sun and splash at moloa'a bay, kauai, hawaii
I will close the gallery Friday as Iselle is expected to impact kauai with tropical storm force winds and heavy rains early Friday afternoon. Hopefully Iselle will be nothing more than a gentle breeze and blessing and then we'll get ready for Julio. I plan on opening the gallery Saturday, but may not be able to. It all depends on the conditions, whether or not we have power and the track of Julio.
waterfall, moloa'a bay, kauai, hawaii
Throughout the storms my online gallery will be up and accepting orders, and although i may not be able to confirm orders immediately, please rest assured that i will get to them as soon as i can.
storms a coming, moloa'a bay, kauai, hawaii
To all of the states' visitors-- be safe! To all of my friends and family, Mahalo for your thoughts and prayers. We'll be OK. We'll just have to hunker down with the cats for a few days.
aloha,
lee
ke'e to hanakapi'ai valley
sunrise seen from the kalalau trail, kauai, hawaii
If i hike the kalalau, i always start early. Especially in the summer time when parking at ke'e can get crazy!
We pulled into the parking lot at ke'e beach just before 6 am. There were already more than a few cars, and even a few people drying off after their (early) morning swim. (Side note, in the SUMMER it is quite popular to swim into hanakapi'ai beach and run out along the trail. But only in the SUMMER as winter surf conditions make this way too dangerous).
Our planned route was to hike to the bamboo grove in hanakapi'ai valley, then go up the hill a way's toward space out rock and then return to ke'e for a little beach time. I'll include a few pics of hanakapi'ai falls in this blog though, just so you get an idea of what awaits you at the end of the valley.
quintessential kauai, kauai, hawaii
This view is from the .25 mile marker of the kalalau trail. It is one of my favorite views of the entire hike. They recently cleared out the heiau (hawaiian temple) dedicated to the hula that sits in ruins right below this spot. If you only hike a portion of the kalalau trail make sure you at least go this far-- mile marker .25.
If you continue on the trail you continue to climb up the verdant cliffs one rocky step at a time. The views get more expansive after you round the bend at mile marker .5 and from here on out you are hiking the napali coast. The trail winds up and down smaller valleys in a rather monotonous (but beautiful) hike of red path, green hills and green apple and blue sea.
the napali coast seen from the kalalau trail, kauai, hawaii
This is why you are doing this hike! Views like this fill your soul with aloha!
Two miles in and you arrive at hanakapi'ai beach where in the summer golden sand welcomes you with a rush of running waves. In the winter, however, a vicious shore break and nasty currents warn you off the beach and away from the surf.
hanakapi'ai beach in da summer, kauai, hawaii
We rested here for a few pics and snacks, took off our shoes and frolicked on the beach. We didn't make any cairns, but we saw a lot of 'em!
zen stones, hanakapi'ai beach, kauai, hawaii
Well rested and refreshed by the cool hanakapi'ai stream, we turn mauka and head into hanakapi'ai valley. Here the trail narrows and becomes a little more difficult as you climb above the stream and enter into the valley jungle. Our destination on the day was the bamboo grove, maybe a quarter mile in from the beach.
bamboo grove, hanakapi'ai valley, kauai, hawaii
big tree, hanakapi'ai valley, kauai, hawaii
Continuing on towards hanakapi'ai falls, you will cross hanakapi'ai stream several times. Generally, summertime conditions are relatively dry and rock hopping makes the stream crossings pretty easy. During the wetter winter months, the entire trail becomes much more difficult as the stream rises and the mud thickens.
depth, hanakapi'ai falls, kauai, hawaii
We hike back towards the beach and the kalalau trail proper and decide to go up the hill a little ways toward space out rock. Naomi's never been up this way so i wanted to show her these cool plants that line the cliff all the way up.
the kalalau trail in green and blue, kalalau trail, kauai, hawaii
We turn back here with the promise of hiking to space out rock next week.
blue and green, kalalau trail, kauai, hawaii
one last glance over the shoulder, kalalau trail, kauai, hawaii
Our hike lasted 5 and half hours and we climbed 1,637 feet and descended 1,631 feet in about 5 miles.
Afterwards, i enjoyed Hazelnut Ale from Rogue Breweries and an afternoon nap.
Aloha,
lee
nature's therapy
sunset therapy with sand under my feet, lumahai beach, kauai
Sometimes i have to get into nature and just feel her nurturing presence. Of course being a photographer i get out in nature a lot, but that's always with a camera and a photographic/artistic objective. Some days i just need to be out there first, and think of pictures later.
designed by the sea, lumahai beach, kauai
Yesterday was one of those days. One of those days where i needed sand under my feet and a waves lapping at my heels. And once healed by nature then, and only then, was i able to take the camera out of the bag.
sand beneath my feet, lumahai beach, kauai
Usually i visit lumahai for sunrises and waves, but since i was going for healing powers and not photography, i thought lumahai would be perfect for the feeling of the day. Nature is so giving. So calming. So powerful. She is a nurturing mother who always takes us in. She is a friend who listens to our soul. She is an example on how to live honestly and happily. She my lifelong teacher to whom i am forever grateful.
ironwood pine and clouds on the horizon, lumahai beach, kauai
aloha,
lee
what inspires you?
is it the final warm rays of the sun just before it sets beyond the horizon?
is it the clouds in the sky that carry you away to a time and place that only your memory and your soul know?
is it finding the abstract in the real?
is it the delicate beauty of the petals that make a flower and knowing that the colors that make the flower make up the sunset, too?
is it traveling to a favorite place or to somewhere new?
is it in spending time with a loved one or friend?
have a great weekend.
aloha,
lee
street photography (country kine)
ironwoods pine, moloa'a bay, kauai
Since moving to moloa'a in april i often take morning walks to moloa'a bay and back. The photos in this blog are from two such mornings. We can call it street photography (country kine).
island hoops, moloa'a, kauai
plumeria and stars, moloa'a, kauai
trash day, moloa'a, kauai
fan, moloa'a, kauai
the walk continues, moloa'a, kauai
house in da trees, moloa'a, kauai
still a little green yet, moloa'a, kauai
but look to be perfect for him, moloa'a, kauai
These walks are a blessing to my mind and soul.
mahalo mama kauai!
aloha, lee