today is a sunny day and there is a trek scheduled (yes, even in Hawaii we use schedules - at least to s-o-m-e degree).
First have a look at a taro (or 'kalo' as it is also known in Hawaii) patch. Taro was a definite staple in 'Old Hawaii' and is still consumed with gusto (but at a fairly hefty price unless you can grow your own taro). Growing Taro has become increasingly difficult, as incessant real estate development in certain parts has led to water diversion away from those lush valleys most ideally suited for taro cultivation. A simple version of this equation would be: Taro vs. Townhouse? Unfortunately, the 'Taro Committee' tends to be much smaller than the 'Townhouse Committee', so guess who wins?
But here, Taro planting is on a newly restorative path and here is a nice-looking patch for your viewing pleasure:
Dryland taro-family (looks a lot like wetland taro plants, which we couldn't get close to for you on this day):
Hawaiian chili pepper (puny peppers that pack a prominent punch):
Heiau (ancestral religious site - some are still in use today):
A whole different kind of religious site:
And, finally, the incredible waterfall that gave rise to this magnificent valley and the reason that, at one time, thousands of of native Hawaiians lived here permanently (now only a few call this place home 365 days a year)...
And by now we had positively caught a pretty nasty cold virus right here in proverbial Paradise, and that largely put a stop to things over the weekend.
Aloha,
Kepani & Kamila
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