The Pololu Valley on the Big Island is one of those stunning places that you must see in person. This is a beautiful valley on the Kohala Coast has an abundance of plant and animal life, a black sand beach, and one of the most impressive overlooks on the Island. The incoming waves look particularly impressive as they create ever changing white foam patterns. The trail from the overlook to the beach takes is about 0.75 miles with a 350′ elevation gain (or drop) and takes about 20 minutes. The trail is not difficult but I would recommend wearing some decent shoes. Along the way you will be treated to…

Waipeo Valley on the Big Island is one of the most gorgeous spots that I have seen. The view from above is just staggering. The road down is VERY steep and you should not even attempt the drive without a four wheeler and a lot of courage. The ultra sharp turns are too tight for most vehicles so you have to start the turn, backup, turn again, and repeat the process to continue. On the way down you can see the very tall and slender Hiilawe Falls. This is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. When you see this waterfall you have almost reached the valley floor. As…

The summit of Diamond Head gives you some remarkable views of Oahu. The climb to the summit is a moderate 0.8 mile ascent mostly up a series of stairs that gains 560′ of elevation. The trail was built in 1908 as part of the coastal defense system. The view from the summit is awesome. Looking down will give you an impressive view of the clear ocean waters and the Diamond Head Lighthouse. At the summit be sure to hold on to your hat, literally. The winds at the top can be swift and you will see many, many hats dotting the cliffs below the viewing area. This is a very…

Just outside the city of Hilo on the Big Island is the amazing Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. This is NOT a highly manicured English-style garden with perfect lawns and topiary plants. This garden consists of paths through natural settings showcasing diverse, unusual, and colorful island plants. Many island plants are extremely colorful and unusual. There are a myriad of plants of all shapes and sizes including ferns, palms, heliconia, orchids, and MANY others. The sheer size of some of these plants is amazing. The warm, humid climate is the perfect environment for these plants. The Orchid section contains approximately 100 different orchid varieties. Needless to say, this was one of…

I like taking photos unusual and abandoned places. Murphy Ranch was one of the most unusual places that I have ever encountered. Just outside of Santa Monica lies an upscale neighborhood nestled in the coastal hills. Those undeveloped hills and canyons contain numerous scenic trails where you can get good views of the landscape and glimpses of the ocean. In these canyons lies the ruins of an unusual compound ravaged by time and the elements. The 55 acres of land for Murphy Ranch was purchased from Will Rogers. This self-contained compound was built by a Nazi organization called the Silver Legion of America. From my limited research it appears that…

Lighthouses are used to warn vessels of dangers. Consequently, lighthouses are often located on some of the most scenic places including peninsulas, rock outcroppings, inlets, etc. The Kilauea Point Lighthouse is smaller lighthouse on a peninsula that rises steeply from the water. This area is a habitat many birds including the ground-dwelling Nini bird, red-footed booby, laysan albatross, and wedge-tailed shearwater. Enjoy the views and be sure to bring your camera. From the peninsula you can get good views down the Kauai coastline. The road to the lighthouse has a spot that offers spectacular sunset views. In the summer you will see people waiting for the sunset. In the summer…

Pu’uhonua o Honounau, or the Place of Refuge, is located on the Kona coast on the Big Island. This is one of my favorites places on the Big Island. This ancient walled area was a self-contained community. People in need of safety went here to be protected from their attackers. Residents included defeated warriors, noncombatants in times of war, and those who violated sacred laws, or kapu. No blood could be shed within its walls. The grounds include several modest buildings and huts, a fish pond, massive stone walls, and many wooden statues and tikis. The inlet to the sea is frequented by marine life including sea turtles. Unlike many…

Years ago I went with some friends to explore Death Valley. We were curious and wanted to see what was there. I expected to see a large sandbox perhaps with a few cactus plants and Joshua trees. I was surprised to find that Death Valley was nothing like I imaged. Many years later I returned to the valley for a photo safari. We went just before Christmas when the weather was cool during the day and cold at night. When first entering Death Valley I was surprised by the colors. Lots of colors including yellows, oranges, beiges, and browns. There was light and dark smooth and layered depending on where…