September 2017 – Custom Island Tours blog

30 September, 2017

September of last year, we set a record for the most tours given in a month, at 79 tours. July of this year we broke our record, giving 101 tours.
We just broke that record this month, giving 110 tours.

27 September, 2017

Today’s tour took at dip at Sunset Beach.

An example of what Not to do. We have a saying that if the rocks are wet, you don’t want to be there, because that means the waves have been going there. That goes for sand as well as rocks, especially on the North Shore. The waves and currents are stronger than you’d expect.

A surfer at Off The Wall today.

Kaena Point as seen from Secret Turtle Beach.
We got lucky and there was 1 parking space left.

The water is starting to get rough as we’ve entered into Fall. We only saw 3 turtles there today, 2 baby ones, and an adult. I did see a larger one in another area as I was leaving.

This rock caught my eye because it resembles the East side of Oahu with the Ko’olau mountains and Kaneohe Bay.
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A turtle on the beach at Ali’i Beach Park.

Diamond Head as viewed from Tantalus.
This was taken with my 18-400mm lens, at 18mm.
The next photo was taken with the same lens, at 400mm.

The hotel of today’s guests, is just left of center in this photo.
They were awesome, mother and daughter from Canada.
They even laughed at my stupid jokes.
And the daughter is a fan of Jimmy Carr.

https://youtu.be/MqQCSF27otI
https://youtu.be/mo-opt01pNo

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24 September, 2017

The flower on the Naupaka plant tells the story of two lovers separated by status and location.

The flower of the Monkeypod tree. Albizia saman is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Neotropics. Its range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, but it has been widely introduced to South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. Common names include saman, rain tree and monkeypod. — The flower of the Monkeypod tree.
Albizia saman is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Neotropics. Its range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, but it has been widely introduced to South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. Common names include saman, rain tree and monkeypod.

The Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) is an endangered Hawaiian subspecies of the black-necked stilt (H. mexicanus) species. It is a long-legged, slender shorebird with a long, thin beak. Other common names include the Hawaiian black-necked stilt, the aeʻo (from a Hawaiian name for the bird and word for stilts), the kukuluaeʻo (a Hawaiian name for the bird and word for “one standing high”), or it may be referred to as the Hawaiian subspecies of the black-necked stilt.

The valley at Kualoa Ranch where they filmed movies such as Jurassic Park.

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry and jackfruit family (Moraceae) originating in the South Pacific and eventually spreading to the rest of Oceania. British and French navigators introduced a few Polynesian seedless varieties to Caribbean islands during the late 18th century, and today it is grown in some 90 countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean, Central America and Africa. Its name is derived from the texture of the moderately ripe fruit when cooked, similar to freshly baked bread and having a potato-like flavor. According to DNA fingerprinting studies, breadfruit has its origins in the region of Oceania from New Guinea through the Indo-Malayan Archipelago to western Micronesia. The trees have been widely planted in tropical regions elsewhere, including lowland Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. In addition to the fruit serving as a staple food in many cultures, the trees' light, sturdy timber has been used for outriggers, ships and houses in the tropics. — Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry and jackfruit family (Moraceae) originating in the South Pacific and eventually spreading to the rest of Oceania. British and French navigators introduced a few Polynesian seedless varieties to Caribbean islands during the late 18th century, and today it is grown in some 90 countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean, Central America and Africa. Its name is derived from the texture of the moderately ripe fruit when cooked, similar to freshly baked bread and having a potato-like flavor.
According to DNA fingerprinting studies, breadfruit has its origins in the region of Oceania from New Guinea through the Indo-Malayan Archipelago to western Micronesia. The trees have been widely planted in tropical regions elsewhere, including lowland Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. In addition to the fruit serving as a staple food in many cultures, the trees’ light, sturdy timber has been used for outriggers, ships and houses in the tropics.

Another view of the valley at Kualoa Ranch.

These islands, viewed from Kualoa Ranch, just off of Mokapu penninsula, resemble a mother and baby elephant walking through the water. Moku Manu, or "Bird Island" in the Hawaiian language, is an offshore islet of Oahu, three-quarters of a mile off Mokapu Peninsula. Moku Manu and an adjacent small islet are connected by an underwater dike. The island was formed from debris flung from a vent of the nearby Kailua Volcano. Its highest point is 202 feet (62 m) high, bordered by near-vertical cliffs on many sides. Moku Manu is protected as a state seabird sanctuary. Regardless, landing by boat is nearly impossible due to the lack of a safe beach. Moku Manu's isolated nature makes it an excellent nesting site. Eleven species of seabirds nest on Moku Manu, along with several migrating shorebirds. — These islands, viewed from Kualoa Ranch, just off of Mokapu penninsula, resemble a mother and baby elephant walking through the water.
Moku Manu, or “Bird Island” in the Hawaiian language, is an offshore islet of Oahu, three-quarters of a mile off Mokapu Peninsula. Moku Manu and an adjacent small islet are connected by an underwater dike. The island was formed from debris flung from a vent of the nearby Kailua Volcano. Its highest point is 202 feet (62 m) high, bordered by near-vertical cliffs on many sides. Moku Manu is protected as a state seabird sanctuary. Regardless, landing by boat is nearly impossible due to the lack of a safe beach.
Moku Manu’s isolated nature makes it an excellent nesting site. Eleven species of seabirds nest on Moku Manu, along with several migrating shorebirds.

One of the many cats at He'eia State Park. — One of the many cats at He’eia State Park.

The cats at He'eia State Park get fed by a volunteer each afternoon. — The cats at He’eia State Park get fed by a volunteer each afternoon.

Sunset from the lookout over Hawaii Kai.

The silhouette of Diamond Head resembles a pregnant lady laying down.

IMG_7928Acrop25 — A shot of the Moon that I took while watching the sunset from Hawaii Kai.

IMG_7929AR25 — Looking across the water from Hawaii Kai toward Kahala, Kaimuki, and Waikiki.

IMG_7930AR25 — Viewed from Hawaii Kai, the crane is in Waikiki where they’re building the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

IMG_7937AR25 — Silhouette of the palm trees at Portlock. A little shaky because I took the photo by hand at 400mm zoom and no tripod.

IMG_7939AR25 — The view after sunset from Hawaii Kai looking across toward Kahala and Waikiki.

IMG_7946crop25 — Another shot I took of the Moon, a little bit later. This was hand-held, no tripod, at 400mm zoom.

IMG_7984AR25 — At night, the lights on the hill at Mariner’s Ridge above Hawaii Kai, resemble a whale with it’s tail up in the air.

IMG_7988AR25 — Parting shot. Last shot of the day. After this, I took my tour, with their luggage, to the airport. Along the way, we listened to some songs that will definitely make you miss Hawaii, Honolulu City Lights by Keola and Kapono Beamer, and White Sandy Beach of Hawai’i by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

20 September, 2017

A turtle going back into the ocean at Laniakea’s.

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18 September, 2017

The old Sugar Mill in Kahuku is home to the origin of the Shaka.

The guys played at this beach, while the girls were doing the Zipline in Kahuku.

17 September, 2017

Spotted my tour from inside the lobby of Turtle Bay resort.

Kawela Bay

This Banyan Tree has been in Lost, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Hale’iwa Beach Park

Albizia saman is native to the Neotropics. Its range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, but it has been widely introduced to South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. Common names include saman, rain tree and monkeypod.

3 male turtles on the beach today. They look tired. I believe it’s mating season.

A Night-blooming Cereus at Punahou during our Honolulu City Lights Tour this evening.

15 September, 2017

A wild pig on the side of the road in Hale’iwa.

Turtle at Turtle Beach (Laniakea’s) today.

The volunteers at Laniakea’s name and keep track of the turtles.

Lunch at Fumi’s. I got the Lemon Pepper Shrimp.

Mokapu, a peninsula made by a volcanic crater, most likely after the cataclysmic collapse into the sea of the eastern half of the Ko’olau volcano. The peninsula is home to the US Marine Corps base in Kane’ohe. Depending on the angle you view it from it looks like either a giant turtle, or the snout of a crocodile.

La’ie beach park, home to the surf break Pounders.

One of the many cats at He’eia State Park. The cats are fixed to curb the problem, and they are available for adoption.

The Pacific Golden Plover, known in Hawaii as Kolea, migrates to Alaska about the end of March, and returns about the beginning of September. This one, standing on one leg, was in Punchbowl cemetery.

Diamond Head and Waikiki viewed from by the one lane bridge on Round Top Road.

The rain wafting through the mountains. This is why it’s almost always raining as you drive past Aiea.

Another shot of Diamond Head and Waikiki from the one lane bridge on Round Top Road.

Every Friday, the Hilton Hawaiian Village does a free fireworks show. So on Fridays, the sailboats race to the Diamond Head buoy and back, and then view the fireworks from the water.

To the left of Telephone Road is the entrance to the Kalawahine Trail. This is one of the trails that we can take customers hiking on now that DLNR has approved our hiking permit.

Sunset at Tantalus through my aviator sunglasses. So this is how I see the world. CustomIslandTours.com

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13 September, 2017

A Hawaiian Monk Seal sleeping at Turtle bay while our tour went for a swim.

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