View from Nu‘uanu Pali lookout, looking towards the windward side of the island
The north shore at Waimea. This is where, during the winter months, the big waves draw surfing enthusiasts from around the world and where surfing competitions are held. But on our June visit this trip the ocean was almost as calm as a woodland pond.
There's a reason why the University of Hawai‘i's athletics teams are nicknamed the Rainbows or Rainbow Warriors. Rainbows are a common sight over Manoa Valley, where the main campus is located. This rainbow, however, was spotted at Waimea, on the north shore of O‘ahu.
Diamond Head, lower Manoa Valley, and downtown Honolulu from Tantalus
Diamond Head, downtown Honolulu
The small Thai pavilion at the East-West Center on the U. of Hawai‘i campus is unfortunately sited directly in front of a women's dorm. The pavilion was a gift of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, and Queen Sirikit, both of whom attended the commemoration ceremony in 1967.
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsEastWest CenterU. of HawaiiThai pavilion Hawaii
The U. of Hawai‘i's art department building, from the side that accommodates a baobab tree
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsU. of HawaiiU. of Hawaii art department buildingbaobab tree
Detail of one of the buildings at the East-West Center's Korean Studies Department
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsU. of HawaiiKorean Studies building EastWest Center
Shower trees line the East-West Center's main drive. The Center's original buildings, dating from 1962, some of them visible in the background here, were designed by I.M. Pei.
HawaiiOahuU. of HawaiiEastWest Center U. of HawaiiI.M. Peishower trees
Hanauma Bay is a popular spot for snorkeling, with an extensive reef system close to shore.
Snorkelers at Hanauma Bay
The day we were there was bright and sunny, with this half moon in the sky.
The top of Koko Head crater is visible from the beach at Hanauma Bay.
Koko Head
19th-century 'Iolani Palace served as royal residence for several monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the last of whom, Queen Lili‘uokalani, saw the Kingdom overthrown by U.S. business interests aided by U.S. Marines.
Hawai‘i's State Capitol building was built in 1968. John Carl Warneke of San Francisco was the principal architect. The sculpture of Father Damien is the work of the French/Venezuelan artist Marisol Escobar. Damien was sainted by the Catholic Church in recognition of his selfless dedication in helping the lepers on Moloka‘i, ultimately at the cost of his own life.
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsHawaii State CapitolHonoluluJohn Carl WarnekeFather Damien sculptureMarisol Escobar
Statue of Lili‘uokalani, Hawai‘i's last queen, on the side of the Capitol that faces 'Iolani Palace
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsHawaii State CapitolHonoluluLiliuokalani
The Capitol's architecture was intended to evoke natural forms.
Viewed from this angle, the palm behind Lili‘uokalani seems to suggest a feathered kahili, a royal standard emblematic of Hawai‘i's monarchs.
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsHawaii State CapitolHonoluluLiliuokalani
The central opening to the sky within the Capitol, suggestive of the inner core of a volcano
Detail of the tile floor mosaic by Tadashi Sato beneath the central opening in the Capitol's roof, meant to echo patterns and colors of Hawai‘i's coastal waters
HawaiiOahuHawaiian IslandsHawaii State CapitolHonoluluTadashi Sato
Somewhat sadly for those of us who remember it in its heyday, the old art house Queen theater in Kaimuki has been shuttered for decades. This was where we would eagerly go to see the latest offerings from Truffaut, Bergman, Kurosawa, et al. But whenever I think of the Queen, I'm also amused to recall the simple homemade typewritten alert, uncorrected over the years, that would be flashed on the screen before each show began: "The Snack Bar will close in 5 minuets."
End of the day at Kaimana Beach, just a short way up the shore from Waikiki Beach
